Our Mustangs are both auto and manual inflate, but the USCG boarding party said they had to be worn to count. My wife had forgotten to put hers back on when she went out to open the boarding gate for the CG guys, which is what prompted them to give us the warning. (We have a bunch of Type IIs on the boat, so we were still in compliance.)
But I just re-read your post and realized that ours have the life line D-ring on them. So that's perhaps what prompted the warning.
That rock has claimed quite a few lives, Small craft warnings are the norm in this area. The water temperature here is probably around 55 deg, cold enough to render you helpless fairly quickly. That's why a life jacket is so important. Most people won't survive more that an hour in the water up here.Didn't happen at Tomales, it was right off Bodega Rock. I noticed there is a small craft warning there right now, not sure what conditions were when this happened. Typically it is unsafe to cut between Bodega Rock and the Head if seas are rough and you have to go around to the south then in.
The CG station is right there, not more than 10 minutes to the rock.
I'm not sure what many USCG barding officers or USCGAux guys would think if I argued that my inflatable was OK on the bunk and not worn.
It's clear to me but until this morning I always thought it was one of those "had to be worn to count models".
Even in the thick of instructing boating safety and being shoulder to shoulder with the USCG and marine Police...I think I was incorrect and I'll bet many of them think exactly the way I used to.
But after a couple hours of research, I think the last few years of transition in the inflatable PFD world...it's not clear to many, both recreational or official.
I'd be careful of believing just any USCG safety inspection (which most of the time are USCGAux members)
I looked at Bodega bay when I was coming up and it looked hairy so I shot for Eureka or Crescent City, with the latter being better
What kind of boat were they on.I learned today that my buddy Seon, who I crabbed with last year in his boat Reel Kahuna out of Bodega Bay had capsized in August while salmon fishing. Here are some pics and his first hand report of the event. Amazing!
Some may have heard that the FV Reel Kahuna was capsized yesterday several hundred yards south of the Bodega Rock Island aka Seal Island. I had Belden Bill and Kevster Kevin as my crew, both very knowledgeable fishermen.
We’ve been fishing south of the island for a little over an hours with gentle rolling swells then approximately 9:30 am when suddenly a 10’-12’“sneaker wave” appeared out of no where approximately 50 yard from us swamping the vessel. I was seated at the helm but couldn’t react quickly enough to turn and gun the motor full throttle. The wave hit with such a force that it capsized the vessel towards the starboard side in a blink of an eye.
The house filled instantly as I was knocked against the starboard side of the house. Holding my breath, I up righted myself trying to locate the back of the house to be able to swim out. I felt the VHF radio and swam to my right but was thrown back towards my left, slamming me against the windshield, probably due to another wave hitting the boat. I felt the radio again then frantically swam toward my right. It seemed forever but I was able to feel the rocket launcher bar then with all my might, I pulled myself out of the house to surface at the stern of the capsized boat.
After several seconds grasping for air, I located Kevin at the bow of the overturned vessel and Bill mid-ship with his face covered with blood. I asked and was answered by each that they were all right.
A passing open bow boat with two fishermen apparently witnesses the incident and was at our side immediately and was able to pull Bill out first then Kevin and I climbed on board.
The skipper of that boat headed back to the Coast Guard station at full throttle, even ignoring the 5 mph speed limit at Doran ramp area. We were met near the station’s dock where the CG boat was headed towards the accident. We transferred onto to their vessel where the EMT immediately rendered first aid to Bill. Once on shore an ambulance was waiting to transport Bill to the hospital while Kevin and I stayed to give our report.
I learned later that Bill has a gash on his forehead and the bridge of his nose along with a cut lip but is recovering well in the hospital over night and plan to be home today.
The CG towed the boat back to Doran ramp where a salvage company from Sausalito worked over almost three hours to upright the boat.
Fortunately PFD a MUST WEAR rule on my boat and we were all wearing our auto inflate PFD and each deployed instantly. Had we not, we wouldn’t have had time to locate and slip one on.
At this point, one could speculate on what we “should of, would have, or could have” but wouldn’t change the fact that the incident happened and that Bill, Kevin and I alive and to fish another day.
Funny, as one ages the thoughts of safety become more prevalent or so it seems. Been on and around the water all of my life. Most likely given a moment, could count the times in my years where I purposely wore a life jacket. Never though about the danger and most likely took the shock view of "How long would one last anyway" thinking. Actually recall laughing at all the rigmarole that those with safety in mind when to. I'd guess up to my current acquisition, a boat with narrow side decks and no side doors the thought of safety to that degree became apparent.
A few years back when the new inflatable narrow tubed vest first showed up on visiting yachts did I take note. Still I chuckled as watching the "Visitors" particularly the men, walking about with these funny little thing ma jiggers around their necks.
Now that the age factor has hit and I realize I am human and subject to doing stupid or having unfortunate chance, that personal safty is a subject.
Yes, I have purchased these "Funny Little Vest" for myself, wife, and visiting guest. In addition I have a standing order that anybody going beyond the aft cockpit will have one of these or a certified float coat on and zipped.
Good feeling.
New habits for an old "Five and Dimer".
Cheers,
Al