1972 "Perfect Storm"

[Silver One]

This months issue of "Oregon Coast" magazine explores a sudden storm which hit the southern Oregon port of Brookings in 1972. What makes it especially terrifying is when it hit and its lack of warning. It occurred during the summer sport salmon fishing season. The morning of the storm there were no flags at the coast guard station, two foot seas and negligible winds. There was one and only one warning. A plummeting barometer. The entire sport fleet and it is large, I live here in southern Oregon, was out that day. Because Brookings has a natural peninsula which protects its harbor it is considered one of the safest ports in Oregon but not on that day. By mid morning the offshore tuna fleet were reporting 80 mph winds but the sports guys had no clue. When it reached shore the seas were huge and the boaters were finding it impossible to reach port. In the end many (I think it said 14) people lost there lives. As a regular follower and hopefully future participant to the burgeoning sport tuna fishery I think it prudent I/we explore the unthinkable. I know there are many more tools available today including buoy reports and noaa reports but even so many of us choose to look for ourselves and then decide at that time. That coarse of action would have been potentially fatal in "72". By the way, Brookings had 3 Coast Guard motor lifeboats out rescueing people that day and the majority of the fleet normally fishes within 5 miles of port so relying on the Coast Guard would have been a poor decision also.

[wak'm&stak'm]

Well said Rod....you gave me goose bumps..

[puffins crew]

Welcome aboard, silver one,

The information about Big Blue, and about how we play, has safety first and foremost in everyones plans. The salty dog/ifish connection on the ocean is just awsome.

Great post, Rod.

How about a fish story?

Peace, tom

[WP]

I remember that day well. I was a commercial salmon troller in Coos Bay in 1972. My boat had a top speed of 8 knots and I was fishing south , off Cape Arago/south bay It had been a good morning but the bite was off. The ocean was flat and the sky clear. A beautiful Oregon Day. For no conscious reason, I decided to head in early that day. I had some work to do on the boat and the fishing had slowed to nothing. I trolled toward port for about an hour and then puled gear and started to run. As I was running, the skies got darker to the west and the ocean was begining to form a lump. By the time I got to the bar, two Coast Guard boats had crossed and were trying to warm folks to head in. By the time I got docked at Charleston, the wind was howling and the ocean was getting quite nasty. Port Orford, Bandon, Coos Bay all lost boats. Several in Port Orford were blown up on the beach. It is the worst storm I can remember, mostly because of its suddeness and the lack of warning. I have always been grateful that I headed in early as I may not have survived the storm in that boat.
It is a warning to be careful and to remember that the sea is not a kind and gentle mistress. It is not a reason to act from fear or panic. It is not a reason to let nature become the enemy. I still go out to the sea in boats. I still face the risks and joys of the sea with acceptance and serenity. I still try to act reasonably and sanely. I still know that we can NOT determine the outcomes before hand. Nature gives great pleasures and extracts, occasionaly, a great price but nature is all of us and everything. Life is a risk, the strong and wise know to prepare dilligently and cautiously but .....
I will see you all on the tuna grounds next year, nature willing and life capable.
WP

[corrirod]

Silver One, first, welcome aboard.

I don't think any Salty Dog on this board would argue the necessity of preparation and awareness. Unfortunately though, there is a limit to both and a point where you just decide to "just do it". I think the case of 1972 was an anomoly at best. Nobody could've expected 80+ mph winds based on the information available. It was a horrible thing to have happen but unfortunately Mother Nature doesn't always warn us before she gets *****.

After you've spent some time with the people on this Salty Dog board you'll realize just how safe we play it.

Quite frankly it's amazing just how much preparation and analysis goes on, probably only 2nd to NOAA in regards to weather forecasting! I trust the people on this board more than any media resource out there.

We stick together and make sure everyone makes it out and back safely. I have no doubt that if for some reason I was unable to make it back to port there would be a line at the boat ramp of Ifish Salty Dogs coming out to find me. And vice versa.

[Pilar]

Esprit de Corps..............

Thanks Rod, we love you too.

"The cohesive force that binds a group together that has shared extraordinary circumstances or events together."

I am totally blown away by the quality and character of the men and women that fish the sea here in this state. I would put an Oregon fisher and especially an IFISH Salty Dog up against any fisher anywhere in the world and know who was the top dawg.

Like Rod, there is little doubt for me about where I stand with my mates on the ocean. It is all about brotherhood, togetherness and looking out for the other guy.



[ 10-02-2002, 04:50 PM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

[Popeye]

Rod & John - I totally agree. I've been hailing out of Newport for about 30 years and have never felt more secure than now since joining up with all of you! Up until the time I logged onto this site, my many excursions out of Newport seemed more like being a loner. Things will never be the same!
THANKS Ifishers
Bruce

[Mr. Fisherman]

I am bringing this back to the top as a reminder o fwhat can AND DOES happen in our back yard.
Early season trips can be very marginal and there are a lot of new skippers in the group.
Keep this story in theback of your mind when you decide to cross the bar.

Be safe out there and bring me back some pictures.

[skein]

How many of us have barometers on board? I have one and watch it like a hawk. It cost a measly $30 and it's amazing what it can tell you about impending weather. Now if I could just get a Fog-O-Meter.

Skein

[8knots]

I check my barometer pre and during tuna fishing. The first time I went out I talked to a commercial guy in Ilwaco. He told me where to try for them and then he said " make sure you keep an eye on the glass, you don't want to get surprised out there". In a slow boat like mine it is even more true.

[Mr. Fisherman]

I have one. It has an indicator that can be set to the current conditions that makes changes very easy to see.
Good observation Skein.