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I was out one early spring morning about 12 years ago. Pulling out of the marina, I see splashing and a dinghy flipped over. Went to take a look and there is a man in his mid to late sixties in the water. He had rowed out to his mooring to replace the winter stick w/ his pendant. The water was probably low 50's and he said that he was in the water for at least 10 minutes. I had to pull him into the boat, he had absolutely no strength left. Several years later, I read that a boater in Tiverton was changing out his winter stick and was found floating in the Sakonnet River dead from exposure.
I think of all the stupid things I did on the water as a kid. One Easter Sunday my neighbor and I decided to launch our raft we had built over the fall/winter. We were so excited, that I forgot to change out of my Easter dress clothing. When they found us in the water and we were just cold wet and muddy, I got my butt kicked for my stupidity and for ruining my clothes.
We are not infallible, always error on the side of caution.
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