"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:28:59 -0500, wrote:
EPIRBs have saved a lot of lives, Wayne. The faster they can locate
you, the better the chance that you'll be alive whern they get there.
I own a pretty good EPIRB but I don't have any illusions about being
found alive in cold rough water - in a life raft, OK - tropical water,
OK if the sharks don't find you first - 65 degree water, not so much.
I see lot of people talking in the vein of "Oh, I would do this or that."
If you have never been overboard, or in a dangerous situation in cold water
or rough water, one is not qualified to speak credibly about "what to do."
If you're in the water, the cold saps you quickly. Even cool water. (of
course, people will say what about survival suits) If you are in a boat
being tossed and slamming from gunnel to gunnel, it doesn't take long to
soften up even hardened football players. One good hit, and they're stunned
of unconscious. After that, it's just tumble die. I have been in some
monster sea conditions in larger vessels in very dangerous circumstances.
But, about the scariest thing I can think of is to be in big water with
three big bubbas on a small vessel. Sometimes we just dogged the doors and
let it rip. Waves crashing over the wheelhouse where you thought the
windows were coming in. Shuddering throughout the whole vessel from hitting
walls of water. Everything in the cabinets and drawers being tossed out.
Unable to walk around or do anything. Lights going on and off. Off limits
(suicide) to walk outside. Now, multiply that by about 20, and you have
life on a small craft in high seas. I surely bet they will never do THAT
again.
Steve