FWC releases report on missing boaters (NFL Players)

BayNews9 ^ | 3-27-09 | Bay News 9

[Reagan69]

The men were unable to free the anchor from the Gulf bottom, and so Bleakley suggested they tie the anchor to the transom of the boat and rev the motor to pull it loose, the report said.

At this point, the boat rolled over and capsized, dumping the four men into the water, the report said.

The men attempted to return the boat to an upright position, but were unable to do so.

[Reagan69]

Didn’t see this posted. The report was just released.

Very very sad.

[Izzy Dunne]

Bleakley suggested they tie the anchor to the transom of the boat and rev the motor to pull it loose, the report said.

Sheesh. What are anchors FOR, anyway?

[theDentist]

Not a boater, but it seems if they couldn’t get anchor free, cut it loose, and buy a new one.

[gathersnomoss]

How much do anchors cost these days?

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

Probably less than a boat. Definitely less than the lives of three men.

[fso301]

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Can’t you quick release an anchor if it’s stuck?....

[Moonman62]

I think that’s the proper procedure. Anchors are relatively cheap.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Why try to recover the anchor...let it go.

[CaptainAmiigaf]

Got into this exact situation some years ago. Very heavy winds wouldn’t let me pull boat up to position directly OVER anchor. I took careful note of where I was (off North Fork on Long Island), cut the anchor line and made a tough voyage back to the marina.
Following week, on a calm day, I returned, dragged a treble hook, found my original anchor line, and managed to haul up my own anchor.
Either way, CUTTING THE LINE on a relatively calm day would have left them ALL alive and shopping for a NEW anchor.
Too bad.

[Frantzie]

An anchor for this boat - $100. These guys had no clue. They made about every mistake you can think of. Very sad.

Going out 30 miles in a small boat with a single engine before a storm with no EPIRB (pinger) that costs as little as $150 or a good life raft. They had no idea on how too use an anchor too.

You make one mistake in the ocean and you are dead. The ocean does not give any second cnahces.

[stainlessbanner]

ping

[gathersnomoss]

As a scuba diver, I must know my limitations. Also, don’t drink and drive/dive.

[Moonman62]

From a quick Google search, recommendations are to tie the anchor to the bow and use reverse. It said trying to free an anchor in rough seas with the anchor tied to the stern has an almost 100% probability of sinking the boat.

[Frantzie]

Yup. Boat canvas guy told my boos that his best customer was Al Keyhol. Boater drunks tearing up stuff.

I have a tremendous respect and almost fear of the ocean. It will kill you very quickly especially 30 miles out in a storm.

Lots of things can go wrong when diving. You have to know what you are doing and stay on top of what you are doing.

[Travis T. OJustice]

There’s a pretty simple method of anchor retrieval using a float ball. Everyone should know it if they have a boat, especially is they are going 30 miles out.

[bert]

Dis any one utter the phrase? You know....

Here, hold my beer!

[Beagle8U]

Gee, just cut the anchor line. There is a reason that anchor lines are on the bow, not the transom!

[ninergold3]

Not a boater, but it seems if they couldn’t get anchor free, cut it loose, and buy a new one

Am a boater and ditto your comment. An anchor is nothing compared to 3 lives lost.