Two Men Drowned in Port O'Connor - 08/22/2015

[Cabela]

Sad deal for sure.

The most scared I've ever been in the water was at the POC jetties.

It was a very light onshore wind and fairly strong outgoing tide that combined to stack some of the BIGGEST swells I've ever seen. We had to go a ways outside of the jetties to safety turn around.

On the way back in the swells were very large and close together. We could literally ride the top for a few seconds. Then when we fell in the trough, as the bow of the boat would encounter the next wave the trailing wave was picking up the stern. Each wave would drive the high bow of a 24 foot proline to the gunnels and had us on a slight quarter towards the north jetty.

That can be a very scary feeling. Been there once.

Happened to be on my old flats boat fishing one afternoon conditions were not good and I went anyways. Everything turned out ok, but mid ways out I knew I was in a bad spot. God watched over me that day no doubt. Learned my lesson quickly.

Won't be doing that again as long as I can help it.

[bboswell]

Really sad deal. I will never understand why people push the limits with Mother Nature.

The Swamp people show doesn't promote the use of life jackets when running the boat.

Likely because they are rarely in water over chest deep and never more than 50 yards from the shore. Not even a similar comparison.

[RTC]

Prayers Up!

[brunner]

I'll admit being a Captain for five years and guiding trips, I have only made my customers and myself put on life jackets once. It was a hairy situation that WAS avoidable but I misjudged a norther and it's timing and strength. Dang near sunk my boat but fast acting and thinking played a huge role. You must always be ready to act and take action if a situation goes south.

I'll admit I fish the POC jetties often and as long as swells aren't breaking I'll fish it up to 5-6ft swells. Lots of (150ft+) anchor rope, reading waves and tide, and having a sharp knife handy to cut the anchor rope is a must. Life jackets easily accessible!! BUT accidents are accidents.

[Thumper]

Peayers sent.

[brunner]

Peayers sent.



Have they released the names?

David Linley, 57, of Victoria, and Ray Smith, 51, of George West

[Cajun Blake]

I'll admit being a Captain for five years and guiding trips, I have only made my customers and myself put on life jackets once. It was a hairy situation that WAS avoidable but I misjudged a norther and it's timing and strength. Dang near sunk my boat but fast acting and thinking played a huge role. You must always be ready to act and take action if a situation goes south.

I'll admit I fish the POC jetties often and as long as swells aren't breaking I'll fish it up to 5-6ft swells. Lots of (150ft+) anchor rope, reading waves and tide, and having a sharp knife handy to cut the anchor rope is a must. Life jackets easily accessible!! BUT accidents are accidents.

Ross

Just curious and thinking out loud ..... Wouldn't a boat captain or guide be liable if customers were fishing on your boat , you didn't enforce them to wear a PFD, and a tragic accident like this occurred ?

As noted above, PFD's are so compact and comfortable these days, why wouldn't everybody on your boat have to wear one ? I wouldn't care if the boat occupants were 3 or 103, I personally would ask them to put it on when the engine is running or you can't fish in my boat

I hunt ducks in the LA marsh and have also been guilty in the past of not wearing a PFD

[JHarrell89]

Scary. Was just there this week. Tragic.

[Man]

Sad to read this. Am always amazed that there are still people who don't know how to swim

[Black Ice]

Really sad deal. I will never understand why people push the limits with Mother Nature.




Likely because they are rarely in water over chest deep and never more than 50 yards from the shore. Not even a similar comparison.

We wear life jackets when running but not pulling up lines.

[dodgeman]

Prayers for the families involved

[longhorn_cop]

Sad news

[Pedernal]

Prayers up for the families and friends.

[PBUCKSHOT]

This is sad. Yesterday, a friend at the poker table asked me if he would be able to take his Nautic Star passed those exact jetties. I told him about a boat that followed us out there last time we took that offshore trip and that our 2' turned into 6'. I just sent him the link to the accident. Mother Nature rules for sure.

[brunner]

Ross

Just curious and thinking out loud ..... Wouldn't a boat captain or guide be liable if customers were fishing on your boat , you didn't enforce them to wear a PFD, and a tragic accident like this occurred ?

As noted above, PFD's are so compact and comfortable these days, why wouldn't everybody on your boat have to wear one ? I wouldn't care if the boat occupants were 3 or 103, I personally would ask them to put it on when the engine is running or you can't fish in my boat

I hunt ducks in the LA marsh and have also been guilty in the past of not wearing a PFD

Normally one of my first questions before we shove off is "Would anyone feel safer or prefer to wear a life jacket today?"

The next few minutes I go over:

-where the fire extinguisher is
- where the throwable is
- where life jackets are
- rescue scenario of what to do if someone falls out of the boat?
- I also leave my marine radio on the emergency channel and explain that they should say, "MayDay MayDay Mayday, this is Capt Brunner's boat out of Port O'Connor and we are at "x" area. Then explain the situation to the coast guard.

That is all done before we leave the dock.

Remember accidents are accidents,
I just do my best to avoid precarious situations and scenarios.

I feel I take more precautions than any other guide.

However, I probably make everyone sign a liability waiver to be safe. I will look in to drawing one up.

I've only had handful of customer fall off the boat and never while moving, only anchored.