Man dies on Big Island trying to save kayak anglers

Big Isle man dies in rough waters
Couple was trying to help kayakers when storm kicked up

By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser Staff Writer

A perfect morning for fishing on the Big Island's Kona Coast turned deadly yesterday when a couple tried to help three kayakers in distress and all were caught off guard by sudden heavy seas and high winds.

By the time the episode ended, the couple's 18-foot fiberglass boat was in flames, three people had to be rescued and the man who was just trying to help the struggling kayakers had died.

Complete story here ... http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090112/NEWS06/901120345/-1/RSS02?source=rss_localnews

My heart goes out to this hero's family.

-Allen

   



                             

  Sad way to start the year...

That's the 'Pacific' for you

Makes me glad that when I hit a rock I don't catch on frickin' fire.  Geez.  Bummer this happened when they were just trying to help, I wonder what kind of trouble the kayakers were having and wether they were SOT or SIS.  It's hard for us to learn a lesson from this if we don't know details, other than "the ocean, she be a harsh mistress..."


Oh, BTW, "Found floating face-down" is code for "not wearing PFD".

They were SOT's.  They were out fishing.  They got "caught".  By all accounts they should have known better and shouldn't have been out of the water.  The storm was in the forecast after all.

Be prepared and know your limits.

-Allen

I guess we can add "Don't venture near surf/rocks without redundant engines." 

What bothers me most is that these kayakers either disregarded or were ignorant of the NWS forecast, both of which are inexcusable. And as they toweled themselves off back on shore a decent man who went to their aid lay dead.

Gerry

"Don't venture near surf/rocks without redundant engines."

That goes out the window when you get a Distress Call.

A lot of things went wrong here, but what can we learn from it?

What would you have done if you were one of the 3 yakers caught out there in 40+ mph wind?  I'm not looking for an "I wouldn't have been out there answer" either.

-Allen

A lot of things went wrong here, but what can we learn from it?

What would you have done if you were one of the 3 yakers caught out there in 40+ mph wind?  I'm not looking for an "I wouldn't have been out there answer" either.

-Allen

honest answer?  Sitting here in my office, I say I couldnt ask some guy to risk his life for me and would have made for the safest landing available.  Ideally downwind and a predetermined bailout spot or two.  I would land via a water landing a la JMairey or BlueKayak.

BUT in reality?  I dont know if I would be screaming for help or not. 

I have fished Big Sur when the wind came up quick and it was a tough paddle home.  Since then, I always think of which bailout spots are north and south of my fishing spot so if the wind comes up and I cant make headway to my launch site, I have a spot in mind to come to shore.

bluekayak nailed it.

keep laughing
grab the line from the bow and get it tight around a wrist
drink all the water you have handy
toss everything you have topside and can't stow without filling your yak with h20
aim at the best water you can get to
or land that's downwind and looks doable
and either swim your yak in or let it go and swim in without it

Man, if the chips went down, that stuff right there might just save your a**.

A lot of things went wrong here, but what can we learn from it?

What would you have done if you were one of the 3 yakers caught out there in 40+ mph wind?  I'm not looking for an "I wouldn't have been out there answer" either.

-Allen

In this particular case, raft up with my buddies for the duration, or abandon kayaks and swim to shore. This assumes that conditions had deteriorated to the point where staying upright in the kayak was no longer possible. This based on: half a mile from the harbor, tropical waters, wind and waves that pushed a crippled boat into the shore.

Regards,
Scott

Let me add that it was WHITEOUT conditions.  No guarantee that you know where shore is.  By the time the rescue happened all 3 kayakers were in the water, with one of them separated from the others.

Why hasn't anyone hailed the coast guard on their VHF yet?

As Blue says, all my topside gear would have been tossed by now.  I know that the rear rod  holders tend to sometimes hinder my full range of movement.

Raft up as Scott says.  That's certainly an option to consider.  But the fact that all 3 were already in the drink implies to me that staying on the yaks may not have been possible.

Here's a picture from a PB that was on the water during the blow.



-Allen

Not to sound like a pompus @ss but I ALWAYS know where shore is unless I am mothershipping it. I think that should be one of the first rules of safety.
If it is getting to the point that shore is getting difficult to locate it is time to get your @ss back to it!
Toss everything and hang on to your kayak like there is no tomorrow because that's what might actually happen.
Conditions can be so bad it renders your paddle useless. You need to float, plain and simple.
I would not lash myself to the kayak, but I am pretty sure I would have my arm tucked under a strap somewhere.
Always important to have your VHF ATTACHED TO YOU, not to your kayak. The Coast Guard is prepared to handle these situations, not Joe Good Samaritan.