27 Mile Epic Swim to Safety

M

Montana Kev

New member
Amazing story!

Soon after tumbling off his Grady-White, 9 miles off the east coast of Florida last Wednesday, former Miami Dolphins fullback Rob Konrad figured he didn't have long to live. A lifelong boater, he'd taken enough safety classes to know that he had about two or three hours in frigid late-afternoon waters before hypothermia or cramping set in. He scanned the horizon and saw no other boats. So he looked at the sun, pointed himself west, and began to swim for 16 hours.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/im- ... im-n284621
 
I'm happy he made it and wish him well. But 9 miles out, single handing it, the autopilot going, and no life vest, no EPIRB, no light, not even a whistle! I don't get it.
 
I guess there is a real reason for those built in tethered engine kill switches. I guess the manufactures ought to have another wired in series for the lone wolf in the cockpit. I think 7 mph in Florida is a normal trolling speed so auto pilot or not he was screwed when he went over the side. Glad everything turned out ok.
D.D.
 
Something about that area and football players fishing. Remember this story from 2009?


http://www.tampabay.com/news/public...yers-boat-in-gulf-accident-that-killed/987524

The accident attracted international media attention primarily because of the identity of two of the other men. Cooper, 26, was a linebacker for the Oakland Raiders; his friend Corey Smith, 29, was a defensive end with the Detroit Lions. A fourth victim, Will Bleakley, 25, had played football at the University of South Florida with Schuyler, his best friend
 
There are kill switch which are wireless, so that you don't have to have the "tether"
See:
http://www.autotether.com/our-products/ ... er-marine/

In Alabama, it is a requirement in an open boat to have the tether hooked up.
No person shall operate or give permission to operate any vessel less than 7.3 meters (24 feet) in length, having an open cockpit and having more than fifty (50) horsepower, unless said vessel is equipped with an emergency engine or motor shut-off switch. The shut-off switch shall be a lanyard-type and shall be attached to the person, clothing, or personal flotation device of the operator. It shall be installed so that when any removal of the operator from the normal operating station will result in the immediate shut-off of the engine.
Click to expand...

Of course the boat in this case was longer than 24 feet….but still…

Also the rule to have both a Personal locator bacon and a VHF radio on one's person when in the open boat would have saved the swim--and in most cases the life. This guy was only alive because he was in great shape. He still had hypothermia, and severe fatigue/muscle damage from the swim and immersion.
 
If the guy isn't wearing a life vest and a radio/epirb while fishing alone off shore, it doesn't matter a whit about the lanyard, wire or wireless. It won't be on his person. I'm really glad he made it too. Hopefully people who boat and hold football players in high regard will remember the episode next time they go single handing off shore. He must have been in some incredible physical condition. Tough way to learn the most basic of off shore safety lessons. And, 9 miles is indeed off shore.
 
I am glad he survived and hopefully takes corrective actions.

Very timely too after reading Harvey on Sleepy C post on the safety precautions when boating alone.
 
I used to be 10 feet tall and bullet proof. Back when i was a teenager :oops: :lol:

Not any more. And I'm not a Pro Football Player. Hmmmm. I'm not even a tough guy ----- but this one is, obviously, or he wouldn't have made that swim. Wonder if it will be a different scene next fishing trip.

Glad he made it.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
 
We actually use the Auto Tether system Bob described. I think a very useful feature is the ability to add additional transmitters for your passengers that will alert you to a MOB situation that could otherwise go unnoticed when you are running the boat in the cabin, and have someone back in the cockpit by themselves.
Eric
 
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