NFL boating tragedy

D

deltabighat

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I realize it is much too early to determine cause, but it looks like the 21 ft center consule fishing boat that capsized with two current NFL players and two former players was at anchor. One survivor picked up at noon today said they were at anchor and were swamped and the boat turned over. The ocean was a bit snotty at the time but I understand it was not horrible. One source said there was a small craft warning. What would be the factor that would swamp a boat at anchor and how big a wave could do that. At this time, there is one survivor.

DBH
 
Just heard on the radio that all four guys had flotation devices on and where together thru the night but only one was found with the boat. East coast foruum and people who know the area say these guys were nuts to go out in a 21 footer with what was forcasted....

DBH
 
DBH, getting back to your original question, I think they had too little scope for the conditions. This held the bow down which allowed the wind to flip it over. Just guessing here.....
 
Flutterby,

You could be right. They were 40-50 miles out in water that may have been fairly deep (who knows) but with that kind of wind and waves, you would almost have to be 8-1 or better to be safe and secure, maybe 10-1 and thats a lot of line. A short rode with a good hold could really cause the bow to dip. I guess we will find out more later

DBH
 
The one rescued said it was a rogue wave...

Lots of good stuff on the THT forum, including posts from a Coastie flying SAR. And 1st hand reports from folks saw them get their bait next to them, watched them head out going past them - as he turned back, in his 29' boat saying it was too rough...

Here's some scraped stuff:
"I also went out at the same time they did out of Clearwater Pass. I saw them getting bait at the Tri-Pod. Once I got their I grabed my Sabiki rods. Soon they packed up and ran into the horizon. I ran NW to about 25 miles. Seas were 2-3 in the morning then increased to 4-6' in the afternoon. Ay 50 miles seas would have been a steady 6-8. I felt unsafe with my 29' and i packed up and headed home. Saturday was not a day to screw around in."
 
50 miles out - these guys are (were) nuts! I've never been 50 miles out in any boat - and wouldn't in less than a serious ocean boat - life is too short! I guess people do it regulary, but I can't imagine going that far out in a little boat - it's the friggin Ocean! Out that far, if anything goes wrong, there are not too many other boats around to help. Way too unpredictable for my liking! Get a good auto-inflating survival life raft if you head out there. I love the Delta...

Jim
 
When people ask me how far out I go in the summer out of Capitola chasing salmon (not last year)I kind of grin and say no more than 25 miles out...which is true. What I don't say is that is on a 180 course straight towards Moneterey out to the Soquel Hole. At 25 miles I am almost in the harbor at Monterey and I never actually leave the friendly confines of the bay. Friends always want me to go straight out after albacore when they are within fifty miles or so but its not my cup of tea getting my rear end kicked all day after three hours out and three hours in.

DBH
 
If they had a stern anchor that would easily swamp the boat. Anchored at the stern. That's probably what happend.
 
You wouldn't stern anchor if you are fishing, not normal to do this as the fishing lines would get caught up in the anchor line.

My guess is the bow was held down by the anchor line and a big wave crashed over the bow and swamped or capsized the boat.
 
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