I would like to pass along a story that happened to me today that has changed my mind as far as wearing a life vest at all times while underway. I launched in Fairhaven at 6:30 this morning and headed over to Gooseberry neck for bass and blues. Did not pick up any bass but the blues were everywhere caught a few did some trolling then headed back to the ramp a 10 mile ride into the NE 21 kt wind. I always use the kill switch but do not always wear a vest but have them handy at all times. The ride back was not bad the new boat can handel it very well but as I was rounding West Island I saw a 18' cc with 4 men on board headed towards Matt. harbor as I had just hit a few large waves out that way I watched them for a few minutes but it looked like they may have been fishing so I turned and headed back towards shore. After about a mile or so I looked back and thought I saw their boat stand on end and go under just as I looked. I stopped and watched for a few minutes but did not see anything at all so I was not sure if I had seen anything at all. I was about to head back in but I did not feel good about what might have just happened so I headed back out to see if they were out there or not. I got to the area about a mile off shore but could not see a boat any where. I sat and watched for about 10 minutes till I saw what looked like someone standing on a hull. I ran over and found two guys on the boat upside down and two guys in the water. I called the CG and got them on board also put a line to the boat till I could get Towboat to come out. Three of them were fine but the fourth was starting to shake bad. I keep a full set of dry clothes on board so I got him to take off all his wet clothes and put on all dry gear. Only one of them had a life jacket on and they told me that the boat went down so fast that they did not have time to get them on. The fire and rescue sent out a boat and Towboat came out to take the boat in tow. I took them into the ramp were there was a ambulance waiting to get some heat into them and be sure that they were all ok. After heading home I began to think about how close these guys came to a real bad situation not only because of the cold but also the lack of life vests. I have two pairs of suspender type pfd and will have one on from now on while under way and also anyone else on board. I have 6 pfd on boat but think I will get 4 new suspener units so they can be worn with ease and comfit at all times. How often do you wear a vest??????????

Good for your Greg and I always have a life jacket on when underway. It's just not worth it not to, too many freak things can happen on the water to take any chances. I never used to in the old boat, unless the conditions were rough, but since getting the bigger boat and some smarts I guess, I wear it all all times now.

Tight lines.

Thank God you listened to your instincts Greg and turned around. You are a real hero and deserve alot of credit for what you did. Those guys are very lucky, wasn't there a similar incedent recently off Goosebury where there were guys in the wayer for 6 hours rescued by a CG copper at 11 pm at night?

YOU are a GOOD MAN Charlie Brown, as Chris L would say.

I'm glad there are boaters out there like you Greg.

And when I had a boat I wore a sospenders life vest also.

Great Job GB!! Something didn't seem right and you followed your instincts, those fella's owe you ..... everything.

Quote:
"the boat went down so fast that they did not have time to get them on."
Not being a good swimmer, as soon as I hit the water, my sospenders go on ! I have even worn them while surf fishing, in some situations !! I have heard this statement way to often !
Please consider wearing a pfd - while underway at least, and always in bad water, let's all live to fish another day ! ;)

Good for you, and lucky for them.

Hypothermia can set in in less than 20 mins if the water is cold enough. You proably saved a couple of lives.

They should be thanking you forever !!!!

Good work & good post.

It's too easy to become complacent and not wear a PFD of some sort while underway. I have done this too many times myself. When I started fishing with GS 2 years ago on his boat, I began to appreciate his rule of a PFD whenever underway and decided I would do so when I get my own boat.

When I did have people out with me, I did make certain they knew where the life jackets were in case of emergency AND that they were quickly available and not locked away somewhere. But even that might not be good enough, especially if a boat back fills and sinks tail first similar to what the above event sounds like...

Greg - Like everyone else said here, you did a very good thing and likely saved the lives of several people... You are certainly one of the most upstanding people I know :btu:

GB, I said the other day you had a big heart... you proved it again. Good work.

I know I'm bad about pfd's. Part of that is that I am a strong swimmer and comfortable around the water.

That comfort is an illusion.

Tough to swim if you're unconscious or injured and if you hit the water goin' 30mph, that's very likely. In addition, cold water and heavy current can whip anyone. In addition, its kinda like seatbelts (which I do wear), you may think you are a safe driver, but anything can happen and you never know about the other guy.

I think a second point comes up. Know the limitations of your boat and yourself. This is recreation and shouldn't be life threatening.

I know we all have stories about being out in the snot from shore or in a boat when the surf is crashing over you or being out in big seas. I know that element can add alot to the experience and can even be fun, but like others have said, "live to fish another day"...

Would you trade your life for a few fish? I hope we all value life a little more than that.

GB,
Great job.. I think like the others you probably may have saved a life or two. They were lucky you followed your gut.

I am guilty on not wearing a life jacket myself. Yesterday was a perfect example of how it may have gotten me in trouble. I headed out to BI's northrip about 5:30am and the seas were a solid 2-3' with the wind to my back. After getting to the North Rip and fishing for 20mins I noticed it was getting much rougher, and decided to head back to PJ. Immediately when I turned into the wind and the on-coming chop I was in solid 4-6' ( I remember swearing at the NOAA forecast which stated 2-3' and 10-15mph winds) white watered waves coming towards me, and wind around 20-25mph. There were a few waves that I climbed into that were real dicey for my size boat. I thought about putting the jacket on at that point but to be honest I was afraid to let go of the wheel and throttle, I didn't want the boat to turn sideways into the waves. My jacket was in the forward storage comparrtment.

After about 2-miles of this nasty chop and seas finally calmed to 2-3' again and I was ok. Thinking about your post above made me rethink yesterday's adventure. Hopefully I will be more cautious in the future.

GREG,,HOPE YOUR BLESSED WITH BIG BUCKS THIS BOW SEASON!