Posted on 07/28/2015 5:06:07 AM PDT by from occupied ga
I have the same size boat as Mr Dulin - (Which is a LOT larger than a 19), and I would NOT dream of taking it out into a storm. What were they thinking taking a single engine 19 out on the Atlantic in bad weather? I read in one article that the CG found their boat 67 miles offshore. While wind and current could account for a lot of this, human error and incredibly bad judgment play a role.
Another global-warming related tragedy.
It doesn’t look good.
The media is fixated on the fact that the cooler and floatation devices are missing as a reason to be optimistic but the boat was still floating too. Why would they leave the biggest floating object in the area?
has caused their probable death.
I don't know with certainty, but all odds are against the two yutes survival chances.
I know but the boys were licensed and the parents seem pretty confindent of the boys abilities.
And if they are floating...the sea is warm enough to not worry about hypothermia.
People have survied worse conditions.
As a parent I would not let my 14 yr old son out like that...but the kids were licensed...and they arent my kids.
I pray they are found soon and alive.
Unrealistic hopes and expectations glossed over with more peanut butter filler ... it's a wonder ANY child (from that environment) even gets a job
I really wouldn't be surprised if these kids actually thought they could make it
“I read in one article that the CG found their boat 67 miles offshore. While wind and current could account for a lot of this, human error and incredibly bad judgment play a role.”
Another source said they were headed to the Bahamas.
They still left the largest most easily spotted floating object in the area.
“the boys were licensed “
Licensed for what?
Driver’s license - 16
CG License - 16
Fishing License - 16
Unless they were totally crazy they wouldn't leave it voluntarily. I suspect the worst.
Even a large boat can be subject to the whims of wind and waves The guy getting tossed overboard in the video at Jupiter inlet died, and there wasn't even a storm.
Youth = immature judgement, I don’t care if they were licensed and relatively “experienced” for their age.
“They still left the largest most easily spotted floating object in the area.”
Or got washed away in the storm.
If so, then that was another incredibly stupid thing to do on their part. There is a good tuna fishing spot in Bahaman waters, that they miht have been headed to, but doing a 150 mile round trip on open ocean in a 19 foot single engine boat is truly beyond stupid.
The only reason I can think of that they might have voluntarily left the boat is if it were within sight of land when it capsized and they tried to swim for shore.
That might be fine in a lake but it doesn’t sound like a good idea there.
Last evening, we could still see the Coast Guard helicopters flying patterns off Ponte Vedra Beach searching for the boys.
Very sobering, it was.
Thunderstorms are dangerous. They come up quick and can produce 7+ foot chop and rogues which will breach 4’ of freeboard. Only a full cuddy with 4’ bow freeboard won’t get swamped in that. And you have to remain bow-into it to avoid rolling or stern swamping.
Their boat is open bow with less than 3’ bow freeboard. I.e., they swamped, gunned the engine, got broke up on successive waves and rolled. IMO if they were not wearing their life jackets before that point they are not wearing them. Being ejected in that type of seas there is no chance of successfully getting back to the boat to secure equipment or hold on. It’s 3500 lbs of waterlogged boat pitching 14’ up and down, left and right, forward and back. It’d knock them out if they tried.
“... by the arrogance and stupidity of youth..”
The young have always been arrogant and stupid when it comes to making decisions. That is why PARENTS make the rules and enforce them... because they were once young, arrogant and stupid. IMHO, the parents of these boys both misjudged their passion for boating as experience and maturity. Sadly.. they will have to live with the consequences. I’m not a boater (and I know many FReepers are) but I am sure there could have been some limits to how far out they went which would have allowed them some freedom and the time to acquire more experience.
Fishing license?
And one can control this issue with a long long rope. Right?
Kids are kids and push boundaries.
Blessings to the families in their time of troubles.
Not true. Eventually they'll lose enough core heat to suffer from hypothermia even in 80+ degree water. Not to mention things in the water that will eat you. It's sad, but the ocean doesn't care. If you make a bad judgment call it can kill you.
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