Posted on 07/26/2015 5:29:56 PM PDT by BenLurkin
The capsized vessel was discovered about 67 miles off Ponce de Leon Inlet in Volusia County, but there was no sign of Austin Stephanos or Perry Cohen, both 14, in or around the boat, according to the Associated Press.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
My stomach churns just reading this headline. God bless them and their families ... and all who’ve participated in the search.
Very sad, the waters are warm. Yet I have no positive outcome expectation, short of the kids setting up some weird disappearance.
Prayers for the families.
Wow. They’re both so young to be off by themselves.
Not good. The boys would be dead from dehydration by now even if they were in life jackets. I wonder if we’ll ever know what happened. God bless their families.
14 isn't a bad age to start venturing into the world a bit. Seems they may have ventured a bit too far, though.
I’ve been out that inlet many times. Never in a 19’ skiff. The gulf stream is always rough. Beyond stupid.
You hate to think it but they could be shark poo by now.
Back in 1976 we were in NYC for the Bicentennial. We had a 17.5’ open bow Lund that my dad had trailered half-way across the country. We got some nice close-up views of the tall ships at anchor. We tried to go to the Statue of Liberty (through Hell’s Kitchen or something?).
The waves got heavy, my dad got sick, and I had to drive the boat (was not quite 16.) I went just a bit farther after I took over and turned around. I thought we were going to break apart the way the bow came crashing down on each wave. I had been driving a boat for many years - but that was scary!
It is easy to think “Oh it’s not too bad.” And then the wind picks up or the current gets strong and then you are out there. Poor kids.
You’ve described the situation well. The ocean is cruel and unforgiving. It will punish the unprepared and foolhearty with near certain death. Unthinkable to go 40+ miles off shore in that skiff.
Not to mention there are several animals in the ocean that’ll eat people.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.