Near Death experience crabbing HMB

We could have died     
Yesterday, my friend Allan, Walter, and I went to HMB to drop Allan's crab pots for the first time this season.  Allan keeps or kept his 28' Skipjack in a slip near HMB Kayak.  It is powered by two V8 Volvo Penta I/O's.  We loaded his 15 pots on the rear deck, fueled, and proceeded to head to his usual spots.  On the way out one of his two motors breaks down making an awful sound.  We turn around and start heading back in.  I suggested that we drop the pots off at the string of pots that Walter and I have which was close by.  Without GPS points I knew it was very close to where a boat was pulling pots.  We headed toward the boat and found our buoy.  All of a sudden the other motor died.  Allan immediately called vessel assist and was proceeding to give information.  We turn around and see that we are taking on water as the stearn is close to the waterline.  Allan races down and shove lifejackets to us and pulls a safety raft out.  I brought an inflatable belt that I should have put on but tried to get in Allan's vest.  It took too long to unbuckle it when the water went over the stearn and the boat started to list quickly.  I was outside, behind the cabin laying across an ice chest yelling to the close boat HELP! HELP! HELP!  One second later I was in the water, the stearn was completely underwater and was sinking fast.  I looked around and saw that Allan was out but Walter was still inside of the cabin.  The nose of the boat was straight up and I dove down to try to get Walter from below but couldn't get in thank goodness.  I came up and can hear Walter's voice.  It's a good thing that the Skipjack had a canvas wheelhouse because I was able to tear a hole in it and we were able to pull Walter out just in time.  By the way Walter is 92 years young.  He was also wearing his flotation jacket which saved his life.  The boat "Lost Claws" heard and saw us and came to the rescue  (Thank you guys).  We were in the water probably less than 5 minutes.  Walter was suffering from hypothermia and had to go to the hospital to get warmed up and recovered very quickly.  Allan and myself are fine.
We don't know exactly what broke, maybe heat exchanger.  Normally we would have looked below deck to see what happened to the engine and could have spotted any water leaking problems and had more time to deal with it.  Because of the crab pots on deck, we couldn't check.
Next time on a PB, I'm wearing my kayak PFD.  It has my VHF/GPS, flares, whistle, and cutting tool.  You never know when you'll need it.

Glad you guys are OK.  Thanks for sharing the story Dry Bone.  I always wear my kayak PFD when riding on my friend's boat.

That's a nightmare. I'm so glad everyone is ok. Sounds like things went bad fast, and up were able to stay level headed in a deadly situation. Thanks for sharing.

Glad you are ok Steve and that everyone came out safe.
Thanks "Lost Claws" for saving our brother 

Holy crap!!!!
Thanks for sharing.
Glad you guys are OK.

Thanks for sharing. Glad you are ok and safe.

Congratulations on being alive. Thank you for sharing the story. All of the sudden, doing carpentry in the rain today dosnt seem that bad.

Wow glad you are ok Steve. I go out on private boats and always bring my own PFD, VHF and PLB. Put it on at the launch and never take it off.

I am glad everyone onboard are ok, it could have been worst but thank god everyone is alive. Be safe out there everyone.

Damn!  That's crazy - sounds like it happened very fast.  Way to think quickly and get out alive.

WOW!  Glad everyone made it out alive.  Thats way scary!

Glad you guys survived.  Could have turned deadly if no one was close to help.  I always bring my vhf radio and clip it on my side or PDF even on PBs.  I even hang the radio on my float tube when diving and have never seen anyone else do it.  A life raft sounds like a good addition to bring out on power boats.  An immersion suit would be the safest but if not actually wearing it not sure I would be able to get it on quick enough in a situation like yours.

Holy Crap!!!

Glad you guys are OK Steve!!!!

Sincerely,

Jim

Glad everyone is ok.  Boats can be replaced, people can't!

Is he going to have it hauled up for salvage?

Wow glad you are ok Steve. I go out on private boats and always bring my own PFD, VHF and PLB. Put it on at the launch and never take it off.

I do the same thing. I fish/crab on a PB that is birthed in HMB and the owner has made it a rule that everybody wear a PFD. When the $hit hits the fan, there is NO time to get a PFD on. What a great ending, considering the outcome of most boats that sink.