Posted on 03/27/2009 11:11:07 AM PDT by Reagan69
Attempts to free a stuck anchor caused the boat carrying four football players to turn over and capsize, according to a report released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission on Friday.
According to the report, the problems for the boaters started when they attempted to pull their anchor up so they could head back to port.
(Excerpt) Read more at baynews9.com ...
Darwin wins again.
Everytime.
Did any of these guys even look at one of the small boating courses offered at almost every port, ocean or inland, in the USofA? If not, they had (obviously) no business being out of cell-phone range of land in calm conditions. Darwin in action, I fear the star jock egos may have played out here.
No more than $50.00 for the anchor and line on a boat that size. I own a 29’ sailboat and a 24’ power cruiser.
Problem: If you use REVERSE you may well set the anchor even more firmly. If more than one person on board, SLOWLY motor UP TO the anchor, up wind, while single person in bow hauls in anchor line. When anchor line ALMOST straight up and down,cleat line,and rev engine FORWARD for best chance to UNset anchor.
Normally that pull AGAINST the anchor set, will loosen its hold on the bottom. Once loose, let boat drift slowly while anchor is hauled up and secured. Give crewmember time to get back to cockpit.
Then get the hell out of there, but SAFELY.
There is ALWAYS Plan “B”. Cut the line and go home.
GREAT BIG SAFETY BOO-BOO!! Any distance from land and ONLY the specific individual you call on your cell phone will hear your call. RADIO must be used, and that guy just over the horizon, out of sight, may well hear your call and come to your aid.
Some time ago, I witnessed the DEATH of a man who, having suffered a heart attack, died while his frantic wife called on a cell phone for assistance. At the time there were MORE than two dozen boats within vision range and, as it turned out over half of THEM had their radios turned ON.
While on MY boat, I find the water a delightful playground, but you live with the knowledge that things CAN go to hell awfully fast and bad.
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