This incident happened Saturday afternoon. WX in that area, from other boaters in that area, THAT DID make it back Saturday night (these guys were NOT the only ones out in that area that day), said it went to maybe 4 to 6 with a steep chop real quick. Those 14 footers, probably more like 7 to 10 from the experience I have had in that area...(ran pilot boats out of Egmont Key at the mouth of Tampa Bay for 4 years back awhile). did not come until the next day, and from what I read here, these guys had drifted off prior to that. I was listening tho Scnitt yesterday,, 970WFLA, a guy called in who said he was a charter boat captain in the area. He had become friends with Marquis and had talked to him on the Thursday before this incident. Marquis had told him he, "was going out in the blue water on Saturday". Charter boat guy told Marquis, he should REALLY consider buying an EPIRB for his boat. The captain said that Marquis had never heard of one, but he would pick one up the next day, which would have been Friday. I'm not sure how quick it takes to get one programmed, but my belief is, if he had picked one up, this thread would not be going today.
I understand when the incident happened. I was referring to dealing with the problem after the capsize. They rode through hours of very rough water.
I know the water well, I fish on it a lot.
You are right they should have an EPIRB, there are even inexpensive personal ones he could have purchased for a couple hundred bucks and it can be programmed on the spot.