There is a fishing forum a lot of guys from the area use and I will say this is a hot topic because it hits all of these guys close to home.
http://2coolfishing.com/ttmbforum/index.php
Click on the home page and under hot topics you can read the thread. Lots of guys discussing and lots of prayers being sent out. We even got a shout out from one guy (thanks). We are true believers that EPIRBs , PLBs, life vests and life rafts along with proper abandon ship equipment are your best assets on the water. I have copied a couple of the comments I found very interesting.
How many of you guys go offshore without a raft?After life jackets my raft is the single most important piece of equipment on my boat period. I was really proud of my fishing partner this past weekend. We fished the tuna mania out of his 33 Contender. His raft failed inspection at Triad and he would not leave without a new raft. I have a well equipped ditch bag with a Pelican case with sat phone, epirb, handheld gps, handheld vhf, WATER, food, flares, parachute flares, mirror, whistles, strobes, batteries, space blankets, rain jacket, hand line fishing kit, and did I say WATER.You can't be too careful out there, be prepared for the worst.Just imagine, your running 100 plus miles offshore. Something happens, a storm, a thru hull breaks, whatever. You have to ditch. Would you rather be on top of that boat if it even floats or would you rather be in an enclosed offshore raft with your ditch bag and epirb? Suppose the current is running offshore, you could be in the water for days. I would rather be somewhat dry than floating with a jacket. You spend thousands of dollars on reals and tackle and 200 dollar rods. If your going to put friends and family members lives in your hands spend some of that money on a raft. Hopefully you'll never ever need it but I can guarantee the one time you need it you'll be glad you have it. Do you guys realize that you will die of hypothermia in 87 degree water, eventually.I hope these guys are OK, it teaches us that you can't take anything for granted when dealing with mother nature. Fishing is the most dangerous job on earth for a reason.
__________________Capt. Jeff Gerrans
http://www.chachingoffshorefishing.com/
Sent to me from CG Sir, I am a search and rescue controller that has been working on this case and I see that a lot of fisherman go offshore to this area. I can not figure out how to post on here, so can you post this for me?The USCG has been searching continuously since notification on Saturday. The 23' Sea Chaser Catamaran white with blue bimini top, 3 pob 2 white males and 1 black male. The vessel was last seen at East Bay Rig 110 at 1730 on Friday night. They were supposed to anchor or drift overnight at Hilltop or Hilldrop (a couple of underwater rock areas) then return on Saturday at 2pm. After the last sighting by the rig we do not know in which direction they were headed. So far we have done 5 Helo searches, 6 falcon jet searches, 4 C-130 searches, a shoreline search from Matagorda up to Freeport and we have a CGC that has been searching as well. We have covered 18,573 SQNM. We have covered the waters from Galveston South Jetty down to Port O'Connor and out 123NM with no sightings of the vessel, debris, or persons. We are asking that everyone who is going out to keep a sharp look out and notify the CG on VHF CH 16. We appreciate everyones help.
__________________http://www.sageleafcustomhomes.com/
I applaud the USCG in their efforts and I still hope this turns out to be a rescue and not a recovery. Thanks again to Captain Jeff for the shout out as well as the use of safety gear!
No comments:
Post a Comment