How many mistakes can you spot in this story?

rogerbum

See - this link for a recent tale of several hours a guy spent afloat with a Coleman cooler.

colobear · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:30 am Post subject:

Wow,

A good story with too many mistakes to count...but, they are all alive.

Jack in Alaska · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 3:31 pm Post subject:

That story had a great ending and result.
If that had happened in my water here in Alaska (42F) the story would have been much shorter. All of that goes through ones mind when out on the water and I hope it forces some common sense into me and you.

starcrafttom · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 4:23 pm Post subject:

mistakes he did not mention.
1) no whistles on the vest. this could have helped when the other boats where near by.
2) No training. Susan is getting a class on popping flares tomorrow whether she likes it or not.
3) apologizing for prayer> Iam not a prayer or believer but if you are never apologize for it.
4) Life jackets. never can say it enough.
5) Iam looking in to a water tight cell phone case, but a radio in the ditch bag would be great. hell even a disposable cell phone in a water tight case might be a good idea.
6) bigger bilge pump?
7) I thought boats under 20 ft were supposed to float? even if rolled over and just the bow up?

starcrafttom · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 4:29 pm Post subject:

on the whistles. try yelling at another boat some time. Does not work very well. Then pull out a safety whistle and watch their heads spin. over looked piece of safety equipment.

rogerbum · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:02 pm Post subject:

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:20 pm Post subject:

OK with whistles! Used to be required equipment (among other things) to be attached to all life jackets when racing sailboats.

Question: Which type of whistle can be heard at a greater distance, one with a rotating cork ball inside (police/playground whistle), or one with a constant tone?

I think I'll opt to add a gas powered horn also for a ditch bag. They can be deafening up close and heard a long ways away. Smile

Joe.

C-Otter · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 8:23 pm Post subject:

In Lake Superior you will last about 1/2 hr. if your lucky. 95% of the time you need long pants and a sweat-shirt. A whistle would not be of much help.c-Otter

starcrafttom · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:15 pm Post subject:

if you read the story two boats where in sight but could not hear him. a whistle could be a life saver. better to have it and not need it then not have it.

rogerbum · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:51 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:44 pm Post subject:

We do include whistles on our live jackets, and a couple by the doorway.

But, we each carry a waterproof hand held VHF radio, and a Personal Locator Beacon with us--either on the jacket or in the small ditch bag we carry.

The boat should have had floatation. 3 foot seas are very significant, early in the day--good chance that seas will increase.

The issue of an open transom, in on self bailing boat is a serious issue. The splash well in the C Dories have real virtues, but a self bailing hull is better. However, even a self bailing boat, when filled with a large wave is likely to capsize.

Agree so many mistakes--but even with mistakes, if life jackets, radios, EPRIBS are back ups which will save lives in the eventual danger.

hardee · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 2:58 pm Post subject:

Good learning experience for this time. TOO MANY dumb choices. I don't believe you can call all of those "mistakes". Ignorance may be bliss, but it does not relieve one from the all encompassing laws of physics OR the responsibilities of taking someone with you in your boat. I this case, they got lucky (of someone upstairs was watching out for them). Which ever you believe, it could have turned out VERY BAD for all involved. Hope some lessons were learned.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

C-Otter · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 8:53 pm Post subject:

Surface temp. in the 70's on Western Lake Superior are very rare and only go down about 6 inches on a clam day. Three foot waves are starting to white-cap, making it difficult to see a person in the water, their is also very little fishing traffic,not like Lake Michigan. With 3-0' waves the temp. is in the mid fifty's or less, plus when you hit the water it takes your breath away.

I'ved lived on the shore of the lake for over 82 years and seen it all, believe me, these people would have of had no chance to make it.

I have fished it and sailed it for many years (wooden boats and open flywheel motors) and it still scares me. C-otter