"derbyrm" wrote in message
news:LHLxf.725590$xm3.290780@attbi_s21...
Could "protected waters" be those where you can run to shelter quickly?

Most definitely.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we usually get a couple news reports each
season about some guy who went out to check his crab pots and got caught in
a blow. It's usually a 8 to 10 footer, no lifejackets and the weather is
blowing to where I wouldn't even consider launching my 21 footer!

Don't become a statistic- always wear your PFD (and make the others wear
theirs).