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Random Quote: Give a man a fish and he will have a meal, teach a man to fish and he'll sit in the boat and drink beer all day.
Another safety related thing I thought about regarding this situation:
If you fall out of your boat while alone, even if it is not in gear, could you get back into your boat - alone? How high are the gunnels? Is there a ladder or step platform with folding ladder you could use to get yourself un-aided back into your boat?
Currently, my boat does have a small (2x2) step with fold-down ladder I can use to get into my boat. Without it, I am not sure I could without having to step onto the lower unit cavitation plate, and I wouldn't want to do that with the engine in gear.
If you ever fall out of your boat and do not have a ladder, you can put your feet on the prop/skeg and use the manual trim button on the motor to raise yourself out.
If its in gear, then obviously, you are out of luck for more than just not being able to climb in.
I don't know how strong the current was in his position, but the wind was blowing out of the NE, if he fell overboard with the boat in gear, he might have had a hard catching up with it. Kill switch might not have helped.
If fishing alone the most important thing on your person after the life vest is a personal epirb. I think that more times than not, even if the motors are stopped by auto-tether, you are going to have a hard time catching up with the boat due to wind and current, and may exhaust yourself trying.
__________________ The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
I fish alone about 90% of the time. Anywhere from the Atlas Tanker to the BR, Big 10, and all places in between. Actually, I have to fish alone, because my day to day job demands that I deal with so many people under so many stressful situations. Fishing alone allows me to purge myself of the hassle of being around someone I do not wish to be with. It allows me to be free, fine tune my offshore skills, navigate under less than ideal conditions, catch fish, and get my butt home. Fishing alone is not what I like to do, it's something I have to do. I take all precautions, practice all worse case scenarios, wear an inflatable, and have all rescue measures in place. Having said that, the intense joy and satisfaction I obtain from fishing alone, makes the risk worth it. It's a passion. It's a way of life for me. Reading this story saddens me, and reminds me of the true danger associated with what offshore fisherman do. My thoughts go out to Mr.Dodicks family.
Actually, I have to fish alone, because my day to day job demands that I deal with so many people under so many stressful situations. Fishing alone allows me to purge myself of the hassle of being around someone I do not wish to be with. It allows me to be free, fine tune my offshore skills, navigate under less than ideal conditions, catch fish, and get my butt home. Fishing alone is not what I like to do, it's something I have to do. I take all precautions, practice all worse case scenarios, wear an inflatable, and have all rescue measures in place. Having said that, the intense joy and satisfaction I obtain from fishing alone, makes the risk worth it. It's a passion. It's a way of life for me.
I fish alone about 90% of the time. Anywhere from the Atlas Tanker to the BR, Big 10, and all places in between. Actually, I have to fish alone, because my day to day job demands that I deal with so many people under so many stressful situations. Fishing alone allows me to purge myself of the hassle of being around someone I do not wish to be with. It allows me to be free, fine tune my offshore skills, navigate under less than ideal conditions, catch fish, and get my butt home. Fishing alone is not what I like to do, it's something I have to do. I take all precautions, practice all worse case scenarios, wear an inflatable, and have all rescue measures in place. Having said that, the intense joy and satisfaction I obtain from fishing alone, makes the risk worth it. It's a passion. It's a way of life for me. Reading this story saddens me, and reminds me of the true danger associated with what offshore fisherman do. My thoughts go out to Mr.Dodicks family.
Beautiful.
__________________ Proud member of Professor Eyeball, Esq., MD, MBA's ignore list since 2008.
I fish alone about 50% of the time I spend on the water.I am a bit careless at times. If the water is calm I do not bother wearing my Mustang auto inflate. I do not tether myself either. Now if I am out alone and the weather is poor I will use my PFD and I will tether myself to the kill switch. I was almost thrown over board once during nasty weather and a beam sea. It is anyones guess what happened. But from experience its not that hard to be tossed over board. Or maybe he was trying to cut line out of his prop, My prays go out to the family. It has been many days so the outlook does not look promising. ~JJ~
__________________ "Jay"- 04 HydraSport Vector 24 CC 250 Yamaha fourstroke
