Gene Kearns wrote:
On Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:50:12 -0500, hk penned the following well
considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:

|
|2 dead, 4 rescued in Va. bay after boat capsizes
|
|
|VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) – Coast Guard officials say two people died and
|four were rescued after their 18-foot boat capsized Wednesday in cold
|and choppy waters on the Chesapeake Bay.
|
|Coast Guard spokesman Brian Neilan says a Coast Guard helicopter and
|boat, along with local rescuers, responded to a distress call near the
|Lesner Bridge in Virginia Beach shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday.
|
|Neilan says the four survivors showed signs of minor hypothermia after
|being pulled from the water. They were taken to local hospitals.
|
|Authorities are investigating the incident.
|
|The National Weather Service reported the water temperature was 46
|degrees at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. It also issued a
|small-craft advisory, with waves up to five feet high and strong winds.
|
|- - -
|
|No offense to the victims here, but you really have to be stupid to head
|out in winter weather during a small-craft advisory in an 18-foot boat.
|They probably were planning to fish at the CBBT. I've done that in the
|winter, too, but in a 46-foot charter boat with twin diesels and a
|heated cabin. I doubt the captain of the charter boat would have headed
|out in five foot seas.


The only thing I can think to add is:

http://tinyurl.com/7cmbkx

and to note that the items are out of stock due to demand... maybe the
word is getting around!


I wonder why anyone would *want* to go out fishing in cold weather in
five foot seas in a very small boat. I wouldn't even fish from a safe,
solid on-shore position in such conditions. If you need fish that
urgently, stop by the seafood department of your local grocery store.