[Public-list] Sobering lesson on inland boating, shaft seals, and hand-held VHF radios

[Amy & David Swanson]

All - 

This link :

http://www.towndock.net/boatdeliverydeath_update5.html

points to a story about a 35 foot offshore sport fishing boat that sank in my local boating area a week or so ago.  The boat was brand new, being delivered to the Miami boat show.  It sank on a body of water not unlike the Chesapeake, in sight of land, with the top of the boat under only 4 feet of water.  The delivery crew of 2 drowned without ever making contact with the Coast Guard.  No one new the boat had gone down until the bodies washed up on shore a few days later.  It really shows how fast a boat can go down, how dangerous even "protected" water can be, and how important good communication equipment is.

David Swanson
Strayaway Child
Alberg 30 #229