Netarts Capsize!

[Sandybar]

Anybody see or hear about the raft that capsized this weekend?

I heard that a raft was in the mouth of the bay and capsized.

Is this true?

[fishbait]

True. 2 in the water, one out. Neither was wearing a PFD. What were they doing that close to the surf in an "inflatable boat". Heard there was suspected motor trouble, but don't know.

Life is so precious and so fragile........

[Martin85]

Its true there were two in the zodiak boat and they were going crabbing. They went too far out into the breakers and decided to turn around, the first wave swamped them and flipped the boat over one of them got on top of the boat the other hung on to the side. The second wave washed them away from the boat the one that lived got a hold of a 5 gal. gas can. He said that his brother inlaw went for a 5 gal. bucket then when the next wave came over him he never saw him again.The one that lived ended up getting to a sand bar that was chest deep and a kayaker paddled over to him and threw him a life vest my wife and I got the boat tied off to ours and the guy in the kayak waved us in to get the guy in the breakers, he headed out to look for the other guy.It took Maybe 30 sec. to get to him. He kept going under water and struggling to stay up.I got a hold of his arm and when the waves were right my wife and I just got him in the boat, only for the fact he was wearing a belt. We beached our boat where the fire fighters were on the beach at the jaws of the bay they took him and spun my boat around and got underway just as the next wave came in. We took the boat back to the dock and got interviewed by police and coast guard and the worst part we met the parents and family at the dock and had to describe who we got and who we didnt because no one knew.The families were staying in a RV for the holiday weekend.
We met Jason at the hospital and the staff said he had a core temp. of 92 when admitted the medic said that he was lucky that he could function at all in the water at that temp. The family is the all american family and It was a accident, and it was dumb not to have PFD's on but many of us are just as guilty for not wearing them. The medic said at the hospital he saw that I wasnt wearing one either during the rescue and he was right I was just as dumb.Lots to be learned from this...

This is my first post,I thought that I would be posting how the crabbing was this weekend. Take it from a lucky dummy who saw first hand. Wear yourPFD

[POS Clerk]

Martin85

wow...

[fishchaser]

You all know, each one of us feel we are indestructable. WE ARE NOT. We all say, IT COULD NEVER HAPPEN TO US.

MY BACK SIDE :mad:

I bet that's what the guys in the Zodiak said too.

I'm just as guilty on not wearing it, but I know if I get even close to where I can SEE a breaker I put on a vest, or I turn around and head in.

To tell you the truth, I have crabbed there for a couple years now, and I have yet to go down to the opening of that bay, I don't know why, just haven't had the reason to explore. I have a 16' boat and a 40 horse motor and I know the limits that I am capable of and I know that boat doesn't have the capability to go that far.

If you control the situation, you can survive. You must remember though, Mother Nature is the one who realy is, in complete control.

[hawgcatcher]

Several years ago, I lost a friend in a dory in the same location. He too was not wearing his pfd but his son and daughter were and they managed to hold onto the boat. They lived, he did not. Gary was a good swimmer but they think when the boat went, that he might have been hit on the head. A PFD may have saved him. It happens too quick to put one on afterward.

I used to do the same, but now that I am older (and wiser I hope), I use one all the time. My time is precious to me, so I wear it all the time in a boat.

[Thumper]

Many, many years ago my neighbor was fishing off the north jetty at Ilwaco. He hooked a fish on the ocean side, went down to retrieve it, and was washed away. Never seen again. Why on earth anyone would go near water without flotation is something that I have never understood.

"I know my limits and can control the situation". Where mother nature is concerned, that is just not true....ever.

[Pilar]

What a post Martin85. The fact that you got so involved says alot about you. My hope is that you will be nearby if something ever happens to me or mine.

There are many good lessons here. This is certainly what I'll have in mind before I stuff the lifevests up under the bow out of the way.

Most of the problems people have in small boats occur pretty close to shore. This is because that's where most of the people go.

Know your limitations. Be very aware of tide and currents when you play in bays near the entrance or bar.

Thanks Martin, .... whew!

[ 02-18-2002, 02:11 PM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

[Jennie@ifish]

Wow.
Welcome to the board.
So sorry you had to come on with a story like this to share.
You must be pretty shook up.
Thanks for what you did, and thanks for sharing the story.
Jen

[happybrew]

Wow Martin. What a story. Always wear your PFD! When I was in amphibious assault school at Coronado a long time ago, we had to take our Zodiacs through the surf. The surf was very heavy the day we did it, and I saw more than one boat flip and spill everyone in the water. Although I don't take my inflateable into the ocean, I keep that in mind every time I take it out, and keep my PFD on the entire time I am out. You just never know. The water can just swallow you up, and you'll never hug your kids again.

happybrew

[kenai]

Wow, its only when you hear the details that it hits home. I've heard this story or one like it too many times lately. Mine will be on even in flat salt water here on. Also I'm not much of a rescue swimmer so I suggest the rest of you do as well. Thanks for being one of the good guys Martin.

[WaterDog]

Here's the story that was in the local paper. Very sad. :depressed: :depressed: :depressed:

Click here for story. (http://www.newsregister.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=144000)

[NEUTRON]

Thanks Waterdog....very sad indeed. Three young
kids and a mom without their DAD. Hey Ifish...is there something we could do for the family?