Ocean Cove boating accident 7/31

Small aluminum capsized. 1 dead. 

Was anyone out there and know any more?

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/1-person-dies-in-jenner-boat-accident/

That’s really sad I was at the fort yesterday and saw multiple helicopters flying over me and heard ambulances blaring. The seas were pretty rough yesterday with the wind and current.

Sad to read.

I was out at Bodega yesterday and the seas were pretty snotty even for a 22 ft mako.

Alex

dang that's sad, glad two of them survived it though

Ooooof. A 10 ft aluminum with 2 adults and a child???

I was out of Bodega with one other adult in my 16ft aluminum skiff and it was the absolute max I'd take it in. Let alone a boat with 6 ft less length, lower gunnels, lower transom, and a child in there. Sad to hear. I sympathize, as it's always hard to call off a launch when you're there.

Thats really tragic.  I dont believe non-foam-filled boats have a place on the ocean for reasons like this...  Its just a tub waiting to be filled with one wave.  Most of these small jon boats don't have bilge pumps

I can't help but wonder if the drowning victim was wearing a PFD.  While I agree that the vessel was a poor choice for the weather, I am left wondering if everyone was wearing a PFD, then this would be a scary "yard sale" story amongst the family/families involved instead of a mourning event.  I can't find any post-SAR reports on this one, though.

Sad to see.  I was also out on the Sonoma coast that day, and it was quite a bit windier than predicted.  Conditions really weren't that crazy though, just an annoyingly fast drift for a paddle kayak. 

A 10 ft aluminum with 2 adults and a child???

That sounds like a river/pond boat...maybe Tomales on an extra calm day.  I wonder if they had experience with that vessel in the ocean?  So risky. 

I can't help but wonder if the drowning victim was wearing a PFD. 

Yeah, first thing that came to mind for me was waders and no PFD (like I see way too often on powerboaters).  We'll see, I guess.

I believe all boats under 16’ are cg required to be positively buoyant.  Just about every aluminum boat has foam flotation in the bench seating.  The only ones I’ve see that don’t have it are those that are super old or modified by the owners…..who take it out to increase storage.

I’m be done plenty of sketchy things in small craft but at 10’, the only boat I’d want to be in is a rib or inflatable.  Swell is certainly an issue but short spaced wind chop will do you in.



Edit….looks like boats less than 20ft.

Guessing they were swamped from the transom . I have been in some sketchy conditions in my 16 foot aluminum. Had water come over the transom from white caps pushing me forward when conditions prevented me from speeding up. 

Alex