life and death situation!!

I thought I would share a story that happened today on pool 4. I had one boat out today and after he was out for a hour or so, I got a call from the goodhue county water patrol. They said that a sheriff with one of their boats had broke down and was in front of my resort and they wanted me to go pull him in. I said no problem. Well by the time they had called the stranded deputy was almost to my docks anyway. I went out to help him and he was towing a half submerged boat!!!……the boat that had launched here earlier….and he was by himself. The guy that was fishing had to jump from his boat as it was swamped by waves over the transom. He had to swim 30 feet to shore and walk 3/4 mile soaking wet to the lockmaster’s office to get help. As the deputy was towing his half submerged boat back, his boat broke down as well. As it turned out nobody got hurt and it is a good story to tell, but this could EASILY have been front page headlines and a huge tragedy!! The guy was WEARING his life jacket! With the windchill hovering around zero, this guy was nothing but lucky. If this had happened in the backchannel or somewhere else where there was nobody around, it could have been a lot worse.

Moral of the story……Remember this is still winter and cold water temps can be deadly. This guy was extremely lucky. I know this common sense, but just use caution and this is a good reminder of how quickly these things can happen.

AWSOME story…

I have to ask the question….Where did the waves come from that swamped him? Was he too close to the dam? Another boat?

Just curious.

Glad to see all are OK!

Tuck

yeah, the big thing about wearing lifejackets is not as big of a deal, it is more or less having them in an easy place where you can grab one wherever you are at in the boat

The waves were just from the wind. He had a small boat with a lot of weight in the back and he had tied the anchor near the back of the boat. He said once the first water came over the back it was a matter of seconds before the water rushed over the transom. He said it all happened in a matter of seconds.

Speaking of Life Jackets….anybody have experience with the inflatable suspender type? I see them at Cabelas for somewhere between $70 and 120, depending on how long and if they automatically inflate. These are the kinds of stories I sometimes think of when I’m alone out there in some back channel with waves a couple feet high.

Dude if you are in the back end and go “out” your life jacket does you no good in the front if you are all alone….The only time I would acually have one on and not near by is when I am all by myself…….

they are good if you need a quick relief but life jackets are more durable. and last longer

He’s very lucky indeed. I’m glad everything turned out o.k. I guess here’s proof positive that one should NEVER anchor the boat from the back. I’ve heard stories of floating debris catching anchor lines and pulling transoms down all the time. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don’t anchor from the rear. Get up, stretch your legs and anchor from the bow.

Hi Guys

First time on this board. I wanted to respond to your post on ideas for cold weather fishing.I purchased floatable camo jackets last year for my sons and myself. I have floated down the big river in all conditions and have always been concerned about fishing or duck hunting in cold weather. These jackets we religously wear and they are very comfortable and very warm. I have even used them for pheasant hunting. Best thing I ever bought. At least you have a chance when you go over.

Priced around 125.00 Lefty

I agree with MikeR’s post 100%. Also this time of year I wear my life jacket under my outer coat. 100% of the time when I am by my self. If you get thrown overboard or hit your head

you cant just grab it as you fly overboard, and who’s going to

get one to you.

Sounds like the guy was lucky and had some one watching over him when all of this happened. I guess that some laws make since and are for our own good(the law that says we must have life jackets in our boat).

It is a damn good law.

I know three friends that have gone out of thier boats in water less than 50 Degrees. None of them are with us today!!

Life jackets are ment to were, not store under your deck. Where them at high speeds and when fishing cold water.