Missing boaters...

KFC911 · 03-03-2009, 04:22 AM

Watching the news, I see that the missing NFL players were in a 21' center console with a single engine and ventured 40-50 miles offshore. I just don't get it

. We used to go 4-5 miles offshore of Jax, Fl. (to a prime spot) in a similar boat, but I wouldn't have felt safe even at that distance unless there were lots of other boats around (there always was). What happened to common sense? A 21' boat is a canoe in big water. I remember one time deep sea fishing as a kid off of NC, 40 miles out (probably a 50' boat), and in no time we were in "water troughs" looking way up water on each side as it got rough "quick" while we made our way back to shore.

Jim Richards · 03-03-2009, 04:33 AM

I've been off-shore in sailboats ranging from 22'-39', and I absolutely wouldn't go beyond the sight of land in a boat of that size. They knew the weather was going to get worse either that night or the next day, but still went way off-shore. They didn't even have an EPIRB from what I've read. Bad decision making probably resulting in a tragic outcome. I feel for their loved ones.

billyboy · 03-03-2009, 04:42 AM

"The sea merely lies in wait for the innocent but it stalks the unwary."

VincentVega · 03-03-2009, 04:42 AM

I'm still hopeful they will be found.

I read they were anchored. Did they have enough scope? How deep was the water? Also, while their boat should have initial stability, it's ultimate stability is pretty poor.

Sad story

Neilk · 03-03-2009, 04:48 AM

I have nothing to add as it's already been mentioned above, but wow, what were they thinking?

KFC911 · 03-03-2009, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

...I feel for their loved ones.

+1. I've done a couple of offshore sailing regattas (30'er), but always within radio contact with lots of other boats around. Even my experience fishing off of NC in rough water was with LOTS of professional charter captains nearby if the crap really hit the fan. The only time I've been "out there" with no other boats around was sailing off of San Diego in a 72'er a few years back...I didn't have any concerns in a boat that size and even then, we weren't "that" far out.

stomachmonkey · 03-03-2009, 05:08 AM

Unfortunate.

I've crapped myself coming out of the Rockaways in a 27 footer. Open ocean is weird. Unnerving even with soft rolling swells.

Sank an 18 ft Hydrostream in Long Island Sound during a squall and we were maybe 100 ft from shore. Scary chit.

Hope they are found.

Rot 911 · 03-03-2009, 05:15 AM

Hell around here a 21 foot boat would even be considered small on Lake of the Ozarks. No way would I go out to sea on one.

VINMAN · 03-03-2009, 05:56 AM

What a shame. People who venture out on the water need to have more respect for how the ocean can turn on you.
Ive been on the water most of my life. Also a licensed captain. It amazes me, no matter how many times I go out, how many "boaters" I see out there that have no business being out on the water. You see so many putting themselves in ridiculously dangerous situations. I have no problem contacting the CG or local marine police and notifiyng them about an unsafe situation.

Even with all the boater safety courses and training that are available, there is still no training for common sense.

Jim Richards · 03-03-2009, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinman

...there is still no training for common sense.

+1

m21sniper · 03-03-2009, 06:21 AM

A 21 footer is just a river/lake pleasure boat.

asphaltgambler · 03-03-2009, 06:36 AM

Would anyone go out into the desert 40 -50 miles in a dune buggy with-out all the extra provisions against the elements?

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

Yup, I had a 20 ft I/O and I took it sometimes out of Sandy Hook Bay, which is not even high sea. It is incredible how a boat that feels large on flat water can feel tiny on choppy water. I would never have ventured too far from the shore with that size boat.

Gogar · 03-03-2009, 07:06 AM

I can't imagine they'll find the other guys after this much time in the water.

Seahawk · 03-03-2009, 07:46 AM

As a retired Navy helo pilot, I have a few rescues of boaters in distress. I also know a bunch of Coast Guard helo pilots. The general theme of those rescued is fairly consistent: More enthusiasm than readiness and a lack of situational awareness.

A few Sea Stories:

As a white water rafter in the '70's, I was the head boatman on a trip down the North Fork of the American River. Our put-in was a place called Chili Bar. It was early in the season and there was a good snow pack: the river was very high and very cold.

We saw a man was about to launch in an aluminum canoe with his son...little to no flotation, Mae West style life vests, no wet suits.

We tried to talk him out of it. He said he knew what he was doing. He died less than a mile down the river. His son lived because a group that left before my float made a very difficult rescue.

Sometimes it is best to go home and teach your son a lesson about restraint.

Yesterday:

12 inches of snow on Sunday, a few more inches with high winds (snow drifts) Monday morning. I am not going anywhere.

A friend calls me...can you help? There are five cars stuck on our rural road, one of them, a minivan, has locked his keys in his van. The snow drifts are at least two feet.

I get all the tow chains, ropes shovels I own and head out. I find the clique of stuck cars and my buddy and I begin the task of pulling them out. The task is way above our pay grade so we call my other neighbor who has a big John Deere tractor with four wheel drive.

I get the first few folks out and they turn around and head home...the easy part. I also take the 400lb guy in the minivan back to his house to get his keys.

He is so large that he can barely get into my truck and then cannot latch the seat belt. During the fifteen minute trek to his cottage, I ask him why he was venturing out in his minivan in a winter storm.

"I needed cigarettes."

We got him out. No cigarettes for him.

Never underestimate the willingness of some to apply the wrong tool or minivan to a tough job with severe consequences.

I hope these young men are found. I hope the rescuers return home safely.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Well, I live in the area - and I can tell you first hand that mother nature is not one to mess with. Personally - I have been out 24.8 miles in my 19 foot Pursuit. I only did it on a day that was flat calm - that I teamed up with a buddy boat = - my UHF was tested - my battery was new, my two bilge pumps were new (and tested) my flares and ditch bag were at hand - and the water was a balmy 74 degrees. Funny thing was I saw a dot on the horizon - it was a guy in a 16 foot bassboat - low gunnels - people are crazy.

Even then I watched the weather with intent and took no chances.

These guys were foolish to venture out in such conditions. There was a forecasted strong cold front scheduled to come through - and a 21 foot boat is to small for that far out. Gulf temp is in the low 60's - you can not survive long in the water.

I feel for the families of the missing boaters

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Scuba Steve · 03-03-2009, 08:38 AM

Probably the only survivor.

targa911S · 03-03-2009, 08:49 AM

Jeremy, do you think they were headed for middle ground? That is like 50 miles out isn't it? I know the fishing is good out there, but to go out that far in that boat in that weather isn't worth a few keeper grouper to me.

flatbutt · 03-03-2009, 08:56 AM

21 ft? Jeez my kayak is 12. Yup the sea is not to be played lightly. Flights of angels to them both. Or is it three?