Boat Capsizes- kills 2 (Was it a member here)

[special K]

That is truly tragic news. It will make me think it little more before I go out next time, and I already consider myself pretty(especially when my family is aboard) cautious. It looks like they were fairly close to shore. I know I get complacent sometimes because I don't go out too far, and I think we can all take a lesson from this. We may have unsinkable boats but we're not. Lets all come home to our loved ones and our friends that we have met on this site.
God Bless all of you and your families
Brian Kirkpatrick

[OspreyVic]

Question for “Jan from Humboldt”, “AstroDiver” and anyone else that wants to chime in.

This sure has me thinking about added safety when I am out by myself.

Would you be so kind as to explain why you chose the lifejacket you did versus one of the models I copied below. I am concerned that in the hot summer months that the vest style would just be to hot, so I would not wear it. One of the following, especially the Belt Pack, would be much cooler – which greatly increases the chance that I would keep it on.

0375 - INFLATA-BELT MAX - MANUAL BELT PACK
Worn comfortably around waist. Quick and reliable manual CO2 inflation by pulling lanyard or by oral tube. Heavy-duty adjustable waist belt and torso slide straps for a custom fit. Provides minimum of 32 lbs. of buoyancy when fully inflated. USCG Approved Type V with Type III performance.

1139 - STEARNS ULTRA™ INFLATABLE - MANUAL
Designed for ultimate comfort and mobility. Minimum 33.7 lbs. of buoyancy when fully inflated. Manual, and oral inflation methods. Tri-fold design for quick and easy repacking. 2" encircling body belts and reflective tape. Uses Model 0911 CO2 rearming kit.

[Jan from Humboldt]

Why'd I choose that one?

That's easy first, the Coasties here wear one simelar to it while they are on the water and they say they are comefortable.

Second, I didn't want to mess with an inflatable type as things can misfire and I might have a slug of water down my gullet and run out of hot air for a change

Heat is also not a problem here as even in the summer the water temps here are like 53-55 degrees. I mean we are fishing salmon and pacific halibut and I don't think that I've see a day over 70 here where I live since I moved here in 1997.

Fact is if one of you Florida guys were to move here you'd be in serious danger of frost bite untill you aclimatized.

Think Alaska type fishing conditions.

[suitekids]

I own a 170cc and the picture posted in the paper is NOT of a 170cc but of a 190Bay, Otherwise, a terrible tragedy and captain errror, He was definately to close to the surf line horizontally, Thank God for the USCG, and thier apparent rescue of the 2 survivors....IMHO........Dan

[calicokid]

This unit will inflate on contact with water or manually and amazingly enough I’ll actually wear it. I try to wear this vest and my kill switch when I’m running alone when I stop I just toss it onto the seat.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...oductId=221657

[ILLOGICAL GGC]

they will also inflate in you floor storage boxes on those 190s and in the megga and fishboxes on 210s and in e-boxes and console e-box if you get em wet or do too much moving them around looking for stuff

the voice of experience!!!! my local west marine salesman greets me with "need another co2 cylinder robert?" every time i walk into the store---shiesh
GGC

[Jan from Humboldt]

Originally Posted by suitekids

I own a 170cc and the picture posted in the paper is NOT of a 170cc but of a 190Bay, Otherwise, a terrible tragedy and captain errror, He was definately to close to the surf line horizontally, Thank God for the USCG, and thier apparent rescue of the 2 survivors....IMHO........Dan

I called the dealer today as the other pictures I saw after the fact indicated that the boat was larger than a 170-CC. The first pic I saw made me think it was a 17 footer as that picture shown was of the boat upside down on the sand at an angle from the bow on. The first picture was of poor quality and taken from at least 200 feet away so it wasn't hard to misjudge the actual length of the boat.

The dealer said it was a 19' center console rig with a T top, when the boat flipped it tore off the T top and when it was slamed into the sand it ripped the console off. He indicated that he'd already talked to the owner of the boat about repairs.

I'm sure the paper will publish the facts of the accident investigation as they are made available to the public and I'll see if I can post them here.

A terrible thing to have happen and it points out to me that we need to stay on our toes all the time while out on the water no matter what we're doing.

[fridaysoff]

Vic,
I live in Southeastern NC. It gets "HOT" and humid here in July-Sept. I go out a lot by myself. I wear a vest like the Stearns ultra (manual) model. It is comfortable enough that I'll wear it even on the hottest days. It will not inflate if it falls in the water, or gets wet. If someone is with me that can handle a boat I may cruise without a vest, but the inflatable one is the next best thing!
John D.

[AstroDiver]

OspreyVic
Cost is the big thing with the inflatables. But I'm looking into them as they are on sale at West Marine/Boat U.S. I'm was looking for the discontinued models.
I'd like to get one that is rated for the most weight.

Maybe what I have is over kill with all of the safety stuff included. I got the extras for when I may go off shore and not on area lakes. Like strobe light, regular light, handheld VHF radio, Mirror, whistle. These vests also have big fat reflective patches on them.
As far a bulk goes, try wearing a scuba rig...now that is bulky.

I thought that the inflatables weren't Coast Guard approved and didn't count as a life preserver if stopped by The Man.

If I'm by myself, I hook up the deadman cord. Also, if I'm with someone who doesn't know how to drive a boat I usually use the deadman.
the vest I purchased wasn't cheap...about $60.

Does that help?

[AstroDiver]

Here are two inflatables on sale at West Marine. One has a harness, the other doesn't.
http://www.boatus-store.com/webapp/w...02/12387/106/8