http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2003/08/08/fishermen_survive_accident.php

These two had a guardian angel that day. I didn't know what a rouge wave was, here is what I found:

From: http://www.mpc.ncep.noaa.gov/perfectstorm/mpc_ps_rogue.html

Rogue waves have been part of marine folklore for centuries. They are generally considered to be unexpectedly high waves which in some instances come from a direction different from the predominant waves in the local area. A single rogue wave has certainly been known to spell disaster for the mariner. They have, over the past twenty or thirty years, come to be recognized as a unique phenomena albeit with several possible causes.

1) Constructive interference. Several different wave trains of differing speeds and directions meet at the same time. The heights of the crests are additive so that an extreme wave may result when very high waves are included in the wave trains. The effect is normally short lived since the wave trains continue to separate and move on.

2) Focusing of wave energy. When storm forced waves are developed in a water current counter to the wave direction an interaction can take place which results in a shortening of the wave frequency. The result is the superimposing of the wave trains and the generation of extreme waves. Examples of currents where these are sometimes seen are the Gulf Stream and Agulhas current. Extreme wave developed in this regime tend to be longer lived.

3) Normal part of the wave spectrum. The generation of waves on water results not in a single wave height but in a spectrum of waves distributed from the smallest capillary waves to large waves indeed. Within this spectrum there is a finite possibility of each of the wave heights to occur with the largest waves being the least likely. The wave height most commonly observed and forecast is the significant wave height. This is defined as the average of the one third highest waves. The probability of encountering such a wave is about 1 in 10 while 1 in 1000 waves will be nearly double the significant wave height or higher. This is thought to be the source of at least some reports of rogue waves.

Lucky to be alive, and lucky it was so warm.

I know that area very well, I have fished there extensively. They're lucky to be alive. That is a nasty place to be by yourself when there is swell and waves. They can very easily pick you up and drop you right on a rock too. I've seen some stupid things out there too. It's a LONG way from help!

very easily could have turned really ugly... very fortunate

Here is a pic of the boat after one night on the rocks...
and a new article:
http://www.mvtimes.com/Graphics/weekly_graphics/boat.jpg

http://www.mvtimes.com/News/gonefishin.htm