Anyone missing a 21' Parker?

[fmw]

I think I know where it can be found . . . . Upside down on the beach north of the Montauk lighthouse. See pic that I found elsewhere on the internet. Usually people lose them in the south side rocks, but this was around the concession stand/north bar.

Apparently that was the second boat to get swamped last week. See attached link to East Hampton Star article recounting a totally separate incident that occurred earlier in the week: http://www.easthamptonstar.com/20060921/out2.htm

Remember, those hurricane swells come in sets, spaced apart. Just because it looks flat at that moment, doesn't mean you can go rushing inside to chase the birds.

[MarkZ]

Don't think it was anyone local. The other boat was a proline from what I hear.

[brushfly]

Blowing up the image it looks like a Delaware Registration? (DL)
Sad sight hope nobody got hurt or worse.

[Wild Bill]

I was not going to add to the guy's pain and post about it but since it is already on here I will give a few details. I used to own that boat and sold it two and a half years ago when I purchased my 23 SE. The captain fished it last year at Montauk. We were plugging bass in Turtle Cove about 6 AM. The cove was calm as was most of the ocean. The offshore storms put up a big swell at the point that turned into 10' to 12' rollers near shore. There was a strong incoming current taking boats towards the point. I saw the big rollers on the way to the point and stayed well back. The captain of the 21 did not realize how fast the current was rushing him towards the breakers.

The motor was running but out of gear. The boat was broadside to the swells. By the time the captain saw the big one coming, it was too late to turn into the wave and apply power. I am not even sure that would have worked with this wave. Yes, mistakes were made.

I saw the whole thing from a distance but could not warn him in time. The wave picked the boat up and turned it turtle. The guys were under the boat and kicked out and held on to the stern as the breakers pounded it. At this point I could not go in after them or would have been in the same situation. I called the CG. It was frustrating because the CG has to ask you 20 questions before doing anything, but the cliffs made the line of sight VHF reception very poor. The CG finally got the information and headed towards the point. As they were coming a commercial fisherman made a valiant effort to get to the guys. He nearly got caught a couple of times.

By the time the CG got there in their Zodiac, the boat and men had drifted around to the north side of the point. The guys had been in the 67 degree water for about 20 minutes. The CG did a great job of rescuing the guys and took them back to the station. They are both in good shape. They are lucky to be alive and know it. If they had not been able to get back to the boat after kicking out from under, they would most likely be dead.

The boat was pounded hard on the rocks at some point and seems to be totaled to me.

Before this trip Terry and I purchased Mustang auto inflatable hydrostatic PFD's which we wore. You will not see me fishing the ocean without one.

I am headed back up to Montauk tomorrow to help my friend with the insurance adjustor.

[MarkZ]

Wow, they really have to thank their lucky stars. Glad to hear they are OK. If they did manage to point the bow into the wave and it still flipped them it probably would have been alot worse than getting flipped broadside. Let's all be especially careful out there.

[Flyswatter]

i dotn have all the details , but a boat capsized off Wasque, some kind of rogue wave(probaly hurricane swell) flipped boat, in the rips, angler survived but hear one of his dogs wasnt as lucky. --124-3 Heard rumor anothe boat the a had a problem with large waves on squibnocket the same day

[wendell]

I was in the "consesion stands" area last weekend for the first time. I couldn't stop remarking about how so many boats were playing with fire there. Saw one very well respected guide almost get caught by a set. I'm surprised more boats don't get it around that point.

Also, I've found that the "rogue waves" people often site as the reason they no longer have a boat are ussually simple set waves from a ground swell. you've got to pay attension.

[Lov2Fish]

Man that's some story and photo! Ofcouse Wild Bill is where the action is! Someone is gonna buy it the same way at the Breezy Point Shoal Rip the same way. I watched these guys, the regulars and pros know what they are doing, but every once in a while a novice would attempt it and almost buy it!

[CaptSuperfly]

I saw the rescue and really thought the commercial guy was going to roll it, but he wouldn't give up trying to help these guys.

Really glad to hear they were OK.

[AndyF]

I wasn't surprised when I read the Star as I was out two weeks ago and even commented to Frank (fmw) and a few others that I couldn't believe how close to shore a lot of the boats were, especially around turtle cove. That photo is reminiscent of this one. A lot of the boats weren't even pointing their bows toward the incoming waves. I bet it even happens again this season. The surf casters used to keep the boats away by aiming their plugs at boats that came in too close to their surf/turf.

[brushfly]

I believe the boat that went down off Wasque was a 16' Aluminum Lund on what was a pretty breezy day.

[brushfly]

According to the roving reporter of the Montauk surf scene, that same Parker got lucky earlier that morning by getting out of a bad mess. Came back in the afternoon and tempted fate too much. Too bad any way you slice it.

When I had my boat out there years ago, you never saw so many boats get in so tight on a regular basis. Throw in "fly fishing" where on a good day out there you can throw a line 70', and you really have to get in tight taking chances.

[Glory]

It's plain stupid to get oneself in that situation. Say you do hook-up with a nice fish in tight. Do you end up fighting it with waves breaking over the bow?
But glad to hear nobody got hurt. Let's hope lesson learned. Until the next guy gets it wrong.

[Ray]

All this trouble for a fish!!

Some days it's just not worth the risk!!

[brushfly]

Ray: It's funny how your point can get overlooked in all this including the bronco busting that goes on when Albies or such bust the surface.

[fmw]

A few more dramatic photos that I found posted on a surfcasters message board (apologies to the photographer).

[Wild Bill]

Brushfly-

Since the incident happened on his first drift at 6:30 AM, you may want to consult a new Montauk roving reporter. Mistakes were made as I said. You find many perfect people on the internet who never make any kind of mistake in life. The misjudgment was that there was a sensation that the wind and waves were moving boats primarily towards the beach where it was pretty calm, when in fact the strong incoming current was moving boats towards the Point and big breakers at a good rate. I noticed this right away and moved out and down the beach further.

I witnessed the entire incident but could not warn the captain in time or go in after him. The best I could do is call the CG for help.

Just got back from 12 hours of driving up and back from Montauk, where I met with the boat owner and the surveyor. The boat is totaled.

I will not comment farther unless I see more misinformation. If others can learn from this fisherman's misfortune, that is a good thing.

[brushfly]

Wild Bill please accept my apologies and extend no harm to the owners. I really feel for them loosing such a nice craft and turning what should be a pleasant day into a harrowing one. By no means was I looking to say "they got what was coming ...." and I'm glad you cleared it up. The reporter writes a daily surf column and I've questioned directly to him some of his coverage in the past. I probably should have known better but knew I'd get the facts by posting it.

Looking at FMW's photo's it doesn't look to rough. I fished my boat in Montauk for 10 years and know how it sometimes is deceiving. Hopefully all this chatter keeps others on the cautious side.

Hauler

[filmfly]

It's human nature to become complacent.

The incidents of last week prove that mother nature never does.

Wayne

[Wild Bill]

Thanks Brushfly for the reasonable reply. I tried to send you a private message but RT indicated you do not receive them.

[Glory]

Notice the Coast Guard boat has twin Hondas. Low bidder or best engines?

Was there just one guy in the boat? Tough to fish and watch the surroundings at the same time. I've bumped a few rocks myself in that situation.

[Wild Bill]

Two guys, with both fishing spinning rods. The captain looked back before casting and it looked flat. The guy in the red jacket is standing on the big trim tab and holding on to a cable coming out of the motor. The other guy is lower in the water and with his arms around the motor's lower unit. I could not see the lower guy either for a long time and thought he was gone. The fact that the boat floated saved their lives.

The boat never touched a rock until after it was well around the north side of the point. All the collision damage from rocks was caused after the two men were rescued. The super structure was pounded flat.

Stuff always happens to the other guy, never to us--right!

[fmw]

Stuff always happens to the other guy, never to us--right!

Well said. Bad stuff can happen fast out there and even the most cautious among us could be in a real bad situation, real fast.

[sgiunach]

Some days you don't even have to get that close in turtle cove. I've always fished with a handful of knowledgable and skilled guides in there and more than once we 've had close calls...not because of our capts operation but because a less wary or knowledgable boat got too close to us or blocked our exit lane. 2 seasons ago almost had a boat carried onto our bow. Our capt zigged out of the way while the others didn't even see it coming until it was too late.

[ACE]

Actual storm-generated ground swells are rare on this coast, but if you just watch a group of surfers at Montauk or any point or reef for a while, you'll notice that they are mostly sitting in a pack outside what looks like the break. Depending on the bottom contour, and East Coast breaks are all comparatively sloping, a surfer can sit for 20 or 30 minutes waiting for a set, just a regular set wave. Every hour or two or three, there can be a "surprise" set that catches even the experienced inside. This is not really a surprise and there are no "rogue" waves, just a ten foot set on a 6 foot day. It happens.
You can watch the breakers from your boat and think you can get in a little bit closer, but know where the deep water is and never take your eyes off the horizon.
Old (old) surfer.

[MarkZ]

Actual storm-generated ground swells are rare on this coast, but if you just watch a group of surfers at Montauk or any point or reef for a while, you'll notice that they are mostly sitting in a pack outside what looks like the break. Depending on the bottom contour, and East Coast breaks are all comparatively sloping, a surfer can sit for 20 or 30 minutes waiting for a set, just a regular set wave. Every hour or two or three, there can be a "surprise" set that catches even the experienced inside. This is not really a surprise and there are no "rogue" waves, just a ten foot set on a 6 foot day. It happens.
You can watch the breakers from your boat and think you can get in a little bit closer, but know where the deep water is and never take your eyes off the horizon.
Old (old) surfer.

Thankyou, that is critical info. I noticed it the last time I fished caswells in close. I moved out to eat lunch and noticed a wave crash 15 minutes after way further out than all the rest that could have rolled me. I started considering how those surfers just sit and wait most of the time...you confirmed my suspicions.

[brushfly]

Wildbill,

I set up PM (I think), not that I minded you calling me on the thread.

[Glory]

Good point Sgiunach.. I had a similar experience fishing with a friend three years ago. It was one of those beautiful October days with Albies every where and bass popping up too. Lots of boats but plenty of fish for everyone.
On my way back home I noticed some subtle surface action under the lighthouse. I don't like to fish that close in because bad things can happen. But it was a relatively calm day and conditions allowed. I get in close and a school of big bass appear. Within a minute a fleet of boats is surrounding me, including some big boats. I can touch the boats next to me with my flyrod. Guys in boats are casting plugs over other boats. Pure Montauk insanity. With the wave action, even on a calm day, I was getting pushed towards the rocks. I stopped fishing.. turned my 20' CC around, and gunned back through
the pack. Scary.