hope none of our members :(
 

Two confirmed dead from over turned boat in the Westport river. One transported to the hospital.
http://www.turnto10.com/story/243835...issing-hunters

today .???? I,ve been out .with this wind ,its worse than the last cold /

P&T

But last Sunday I saw someone hunting in the lower bay in a [CANOE}:confused:

Can I comment here about poor decisions and how people need to think before they go hunting in boats, canoes and kayaks when the temps are near zero and the wind chill well below that???:smash:

Yes tragic but man.........

If you want to survive capsizing and falling into the water in this cold you had better be dressed for immersion. A good rule is , a combined air and water temperature of less than 100, means you should wear a wetsuit or better a drysuit. Even then there is an involuntary gasp reflex that starts the drowning process.

Prayers for families.
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my thoughts are with their families.. :(

Its terrible and I do feel badly for all involved. I hope the survivor can pull through.

Use to hunt the Bay for Bluebills and Canvasbacks in this weather. Had a Barnaget Bay layout boat and came in more than once covered in sea ice. Tough weather to do anything in.

I had a few days trying to get out of Nauset inlet where we would look at it and say " It's not worth it , it's only fish. "
Would've thought today would've been one one of those days.
Real shame. Another preventable tragedy it appears.
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I can't imagine why anyone would go out on the water today, between the wind and the cold, its just crazy!

I heard (rumored) one of the guys was the president of the Boston Big Game Fishing Club.

steve james? from Marshfield?

A spokesman for the Bristol County District Attorney's Office said the two victims were 53-year-old Steven James, of Marshfield, Mass., and 55-year-old Robert Becher, of Cromwell, Conn.

Yes and president of Stellwagen bank charter boat association.
Unreal.
Rip Steve.
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Yes unreal.
Such a well known and liked person.
A true leader in the fishing community
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What a sad day for his family, friends and our fishing community. Between his founding and operating the shark tournament, the Boston Big Game fishing club and his more recent service with Stellwagen Bank Charter Boat Association, Steve is one of our true community leaders. Sad day indeed.

Thoughts & Prayers out to their families. I had heard earlier one had survived but 2 did not make it.

GodBless
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The 3rd member was likely not in the boat that capsized. Still unknown whether Steve's dogs were in the boat or back at his home in Marshfield. Although the boat was located near the mouth, it likely capsized up in the west branch and rode the drop to the mouth. As in the story about the Montauk lobsterman,sometimes experienced outdoorsmen run into situations they have not planned for.Rest in peace.

So sad...huge loss to the entire fishing community...what a shame.
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Such a sad tragic day for those families, my prayers go out to them.

That sucks. Wonder how close they were to my step-son's house. He's up by the head of the west branch.
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Thats too bad . Feel sorry for his family. I was on the docks most of the day. Have not been that cold since I lived n Kodiak, AK. Cant imagine being submerged on a day like today.

Rest in Peace...

RIP Steve

Very sad, T's & P's to family and friends.

High was at 12:41 today, not sure they were inside.
wind was NW gustin upper 20s wouldn't think anyone would be in the West branch in that

tragic regardless.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REGARDING THE WESTPORT BOATING FATALITIES: Bristol County District Attorney's Office C. Samuel Sutter District Attorney Press Release January 7, 2014 The preliminary investigation into this morning’s fatal boat capsizing in Westport has revealed the following information as of this hour: This morning at some point shortly before 8 a.m., a River Road resident noticed a capsized boat in the waters of the Westport River. The resident immediately notified the Westport Harbor Master. The Harbor Master then notified Westport Police and Fire officials, who immediately began a search of the area. The Harbor Master located the boat, which has been described as a skiff, and brought it to shore. Police and fire, meanwhile, searched the area for any vehicles that may have previously had the boat attached to it. After finding such a vehicle, police went to the home of the vehicle’s registered owner and confirmed that this individual along with two others had gone out on the river to duck hunt early this morning. A search of the river and surrounding areas immediately commenced, and was conducted by Westport Police, Westport Fire, Massachusetts Environmental Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team, the State Police Air Wing and State Police Detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office. Two men who were on the boat were found deceased a short time later at the town’s Cherry and Webb beach. A third man was rescued from the river by a U.S. Coast Guard Jayhawk Helicopter crew. The helicopter immediately transported this lone surviving victim to Rhode Island Hospital for Hypothermia-type symptoms. At this time, this incident does not appear to be suspicious in nature. However, State Troopers assigned to this office are investigating, along with a number of other agencies listed above. The two deceased victims’ identities are Steven James, 53, of Marshfield, and Robert Becher, 55, of Cromwell, CT. The surviving victim’s identity is Gregg Angell, 51, of Westport. Mr. Angell remains hospitalized at this time, but is expected to survive. District Attorney Sam Sutter asserted that without the rapid communication and collaboration amongst local, state and federal agencies, it is unknown whether the third victim’s life would have been saved. He praised the members of all the agencies involved for acting quickly and working together to save a life despite the difficult circumstances and brutally cold conditions.

As an avid (and obsessed) duck hunter I will say these are the days I live for. Sea ducks and diving ducks move in this weather, and thats why we are out there....to shoot ducks. I was supposed to be out there today but had a late change of plans and stayed in. These guys are seasoned duck hunters and knew what they were doing. We dress for the weather with proper head gear, foot wear and clothing. We take every precaution to make it a safe hunt. My main objective is to make it back to the ramp at the end of the hunt. Shooting ducks on any waterway is a challenge in this weather. Today could have been any number of senerios, took a wave, hit something in the water, illness, who knows? Everyone is asking why they were out there? What were they thinking? Are they crazy? Well, we go out because its what we love, I am thinking this is going to be an epic day of wing shooting, and NO I am not crazy....just passionate. I feel bad about what happened today but it will not change the way I feel or hunt. I will be out the Saturday morning with my hunting partner.

In 1997 I capsize on Thanksgiving morning, and the outcome was in my favor. I know what went through their mind as it all happened, and it isn't a pleasant thought. God bless Dr.Angel, may he have a speedy recovery. Godspeed to the two others.

A bad accident can happen to anyone at any time.. even the most experienced... we all take risks with out sports.. even if we do not see them as risks....it's the nature of the game.. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the two men who died tragicaly doing wht they loved.

Amen. Those that go out when others stay home are those that truly enjoy the sport. I have been there, and we plan for the worst, just that mother nature plays a trump card now and then, and people die doing what they love, knowing the risks. Most of us will not be that lucky, but on the other hand, we need to think about those left behind.