Without an instant to spare, a fisherman and two passengers jumped into the frigid Columbia River to avoid being run over by a much larger motorboat. The whole incident was captured on their dash-mounted GoPro camera.
They had been out salmon fishing, sitting with their motor off. It was a beautiful morning and all was quiet, still and peaceful. Fortunately for them, they were all alert — suddenly, they noticed a large motorboat speeding towards them! Did the helmsman not see them? Standing up in the back of the boat, one of the men waved his arms and yelled “HEYY!” But the boat continued to make a beeline straight for them. Again, the fisherman waved his arms and yelled “HEYYY!” even louder this time. But the boat did not slow down, nor did it change its course. It came straight towards them, full speed ahead. Finally, in desperation, the fisherman stood up on the back of the boat, frantically waved his arms, and bellowed, “HEYYYYY!” Straight as an arrow, without hesitation, the motorboat bore down on them! With exclamations of disbelief, all three of them leapt for their lives, over the side of their boat into the icy water. A split second later, there was a tremendous BANG! as the motorboat landed completely on top of their boat.
Because they were all alert and aware of their surroundings, they were able to react in time, saving their lives. Had they been careless and not paying attention, they would most likely have died that day. Sheriff’s investigators wrote that if they had not jumped into the freezing water, they would most likely have suffered serious injury or death.
Instant Change
All was peaceful and calm at first. It was a beautiful day. What could go wrong? But then something did go wrong, in the blink of an eye. This is just how it is in many people’s lives today. They are busy with the daily cares of life, just going along as if nothing will ever change. But things can and do change, often in an instant, without a moment’s notice. This is why it is so vital that we are prepared to meet God. If your life should suddenly be taken, will you go to be with Him in heaven? “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)). This is our standing before God, if we do not know the Lord Jesus as our own personal Savior. We cannot come into His holy presence with our sins unforgiven.
God’s love and compassion is so great towards us that He devised a marvelous plan of salvation. All we have to do is accept it. It is God’s gift to us. God sent His well-beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on Calvary’s cross for us. He suffered agony for our sins on the cross. When we repent of our sinful state before God and ask the Lord to forgive us for our sins, we are “born again” and made a new creature in Christ. Then we are no longer a child of “wrath,” but a child of God! Why not settle the matter with “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:2121Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21))? As a child of God, “there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:11There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)). The Lord Jesus then gives us the privilege of living for Him. Then, if our lives should suddenly be cut off, we can be certain of the Lord’s promise: “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:2828And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)).
The Aftermath
After the crash, the 20-foot-long aluminum fishing boat was basically turned into scrap metal. It did not stand a chance against the fiberglass 31-foot-long motorboat. But why did the helmsman of the larger boat not see them? The 74-year-old man told investigators that he had been sitting down and therefore could not see over the dash. (He uses a motorized scooter while on land.) This had the effect of making his motorboat totally blind! His son-in-law also added that he had warned him to pay attention, but that he had been using his cell phone off and on all morning.
The local sheriff’s department was not impressed. The driver of the motorboat was cited and released for “Reckless Operation, 3 counts of Recklessly Endangering and 3 counts of Assault in the 4th degree.” Oregon law is clear about operating a boat without due care. The motorboat driver really had no excuse. We, too, have no excuse for ignoring God’s gift of salvation. God is also very clear about what will happen if we disregard His loving plan of salvation. He will have no choice but to say, “I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:2323And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:23)). Why not do the right thing, and come to Him today? Here’s His loving promise to you: “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).
The pilot in 148 Passengers Escape Disaster shows the opposite of the negligence of the motorboat operator.