Even though I'm north of the yankees now, I cut my teeth down in that area for many years. Very challenging water, and colder than you'd think for the south. That bridge is no joke. Conditions there can be very similar to the copper river flats, with shifting bars, ripping currents and cold water.
I've gone under that bridge in much faster boats than these, and even on step and moving, those currents can grab you and put you in places you don't want to be.
Plus there are often bars that form just in front of spots on the bridge where you can get a boat through. So easy to get into trouble. And if you damage your boat there, your only real choice is to head out to sea, especially if you are having trouble steering or with your power, and come back in on a slack (preferably high) tide.
Terrible to lose a boat like that, but much worse has happened there before and will happen there again. Everyone was safe, and the fleet responded with time to spare. Heck, nobody even took a swim. If I ever lose a boat I want to lose it like that.
