Love the videos, thank you. I live in Northern California and crab season just opened up. This first weekend out at Bodega Bay, two boats capsized. Eight souls went into the water, so far only two have come out; an eleven year old boy found the following day alive on a beach, the other the body of an older male. Both boats were twenty-one feet. The conditions were not good, poor as matter of fact, with gale force winds and large seas (14 feet I believe). According to the eleven year old,everyone onboard his boat had life jackets, however there was no mention of any other safety equipment or a radio. The second boat I have no information on. I can’t understand for the life of me why people don’t have EPIRB’s or PLB’s and a radio. There are enough good, free weather apps available online too. Had either of these boats had been equipped with a rescue beacon and radio perhaps all lives could have been saved. Safe boating starts with knowing what you’re up against and being prepared! People need to understand that although beautiful the ocean is also deadly and emotional decisions when conditions are iffy are not good and usually don’t end well. Just because you’ve spent a several hundred dollars traveling to go get a few crabs doesn’t mean you need to go out if conditions aren’t suitable. I’ll be going out in a few days when conditions are better, and this time, unfortunately, I’ll be looking for one additional type of navigational hazard.
Thank you so much for sharing! This is the absolute reason I started this channel. I’ve seen so many of these same situations play out over and over again. It’s so heartbreaking. I appreciate you taking the time to share this story with our viewers, maybe you might have saved a life!
First, thank you for your service both in the Coast Guard and LEO. I am a recently retired LEO and have taken up sailing full time, it’s my absolute passion and want to share it with Admiral and grandkids. With this in mind i read, watch and take anything i can get my hands on regarding safety and safe operation on the water. So glad i found your channel, awesome, real content from the mouth of babes😂. Really though, you are continuing your service to the community, and that is special!! I subscribed, rang the bell and anxiously await more content. In the meantime i will make sure i watch all your previous videos. -Jim
As a professional rescuer (Ski Patrol) fire EMS with 46 years of experience all I can say is practice with your equipment before you need it when you need it it should not be the first time you use it get in the water inflate your life jacket get in the water try and find the ladder do all these as a drill you’ll feel better for your crew will feel better for it and you’ll be ready for the real thing
Thanks for your honesty! I am much the same as you 65, 230lbs. I have worn an inflatable for years and I don't allow anyone onboard without a Life Jacket. Your experience gives me pause and I will experiment next spring with my inflatable and my ladder. I'm on the west coast of Canada in Vancouver and I enjoy your videos!
Not far behind you old man! 62, 230ish and just bought a boat in my home State of NH. You're giving me food for thought and examples to try for training/experimentation when I hit the water in spring 2025. 😊
Excellent! I love New Hampshire - my in-laws had a cabin just south of Lincoln that was our escape from the Cape when I was in the Coast Guard. Huge fan of Common Man!😂
Just a year behind you Norm. If you are hitting the saltwater, I can highly recommend Great Bay Marine. Excellent facility and staff and a sizable launch if you haven't already secured a slip or mooring ball in the area. (which can be very hard to come by). Great info on this channel, regardless of experience. Hoping for an early Spring!
I’ve always been interested to know how falling in with waders on and the inflatable pfd. I duck hunt and always say I’m going to try during the summer but have yet to do so. Thanks for highlighting your experience.
After experiencing this, I would highly recommend giving it a try. However, make sure you get the right CO2 cartridge and pill replacement before you do because that life jacket will be out of commission until you te-pack it. I’ve done several fly-in fly fishing trips into Quebec and I wondered the same. Let me know how it works out for you and thank you for sharing!!!
Im disabled an on the Tennessee River so if I go in the water getting back on the boat is probably not going to happen. Unless the boat was drifting when it happened or a second person is on the boat to cut the anchor an chase me, I am headed down river away from the boat. And even if my boat had a ladder, its hard to climb one with one hand. So I wear a higher end inflatable meant for off shore racing. It fits tight, has crotch straps an lift points. And a waterproof radio attached. So if I do have someone to throw me a rope an drag me back on board, I am equipped for that. But if not, I swim to shore an radio for help reuniting me an my boat who are probably several miles apart at that point.
Update from Bodega Bay California… Another boat with 5 onboard has capsized in high seas and high winds. 4 lives were saved, but another has been lost. In less than 3 weeks 3 boats have capsized and 9 people have lost their lives! Pay attention to what this man is telling you!
😂I can’t figure this thing out half the time! For some reason I get an error if I comment on RUclips as opposed to RUclips Studio. I appreciate you commenting regardless.
well shit happens to the best ya, loose belts on vest ok while sitting and driving, but if u stand up for any reason cinch up everything, jumping off boat for a pee always have a life line attachted, you take care son
What a great video! In my cop job, we call those "teachable moments"
A real stand-up guy always shares so others may learn. You are that stand-up guy.
Thank you so much, I just got goose bumps. It’s an honor to get a compliment from someone who’s been there, done that and got the T-Shirt.
Love the videos, thank you. I live in Northern California and crab season just opened up. This first weekend out at Bodega Bay, two boats capsized. Eight souls went into the water, so far only two have come out; an eleven year old boy found the following day alive on a beach, the other the body of an older male. Both boats were twenty-one feet. The conditions were not good, poor as matter of fact, with gale force winds and large seas (14 feet I believe). According to the eleven year old,everyone onboard his boat had life jackets, however there was no mention of any other safety equipment or a radio. The second boat I have no information on. I can’t understand for the life of me why people don’t have EPIRB’s or PLB’s and a radio. There are enough good, free weather apps available online too. Had either of these boats had been equipped with a rescue beacon and radio perhaps all lives could have been saved. Safe boating starts with knowing what you’re up against and being prepared! People need to understand that although beautiful the ocean is also deadly and emotional decisions when conditions are iffy are not good and usually don’t end well. Just because you’ve spent a several hundred dollars traveling to go get a few crabs doesn’t mean you need to go out if conditions aren’t suitable. I’ll be going out in a few days when conditions are better, and this time, unfortunately, I’ll be looking for one additional type of navigational hazard.
Thank you so much for sharing! This is the absolute reason I started this channel. I’ve seen so many of these same situations play out over and over again. It’s so heartbreaking. I appreciate you taking the time to share this story with our viewers, maybe you might have saved a life!
Humility and Honesty are the two main factors to achieve wisdom! Thanks for the lesson!
Venice,FL
Thank you for your kind words and thank you for commenting!!!
First, thank you for your service both in the Coast Guard and LEO. I am a recently retired LEO and have taken up sailing full time, it’s my absolute passion and want to share it with Admiral and grandkids. With this in mind i read, watch and take anything i can get my hands on regarding safety and safe operation on the water. So glad i found your channel, awesome, real content from the mouth of babes😂. Really though, you are continuing your service to the community, and that is special!! I subscribed, rang the bell and anxiously await more content. In the meantime i will make sure i watch all your previous videos. -Jim
Two great nuggets, thanks.
Thank you so much for commenting!!!
As a professional rescuer (Ski Patrol) fire EMS with 46 years of experience all I can say is practice with your equipment before you need it when you need it it should not be the first time you use it get in the water inflate your life jacket get in the water try and find the ladder do all these as a drill you’ll feel better for your crew will feel better for it and you’ll be ready for the real thing
Sage advice, thank you so much for sharing!!!
Thanks for your honesty! I am much the same as you 65, 230lbs. I have worn an inflatable for years and I don't allow anyone onboard without a Life Jacket. Your experience gives me pause and I will experiment next spring with my inflatable and my ladder. I'm on the west coast of Canada in Vancouver and I enjoy your videos!
Thank you for your kind words and for your honesty, I appreciate it! Thank you for commenting too!!!
Not far behind you old man! 62, 230ish and just bought a boat in my home State of NH. You're giving me food for thought and examples to try for training/experimentation when I hit the water in spring 2025. 😊
Excellent! I love New Hampshire - my in-laws had a cabin just south of Lincoln that was our escape from the Cape when I was in the Coast Guard. Huge fan of Common Man!😂
Just a year behind you Norm. If you are hitting the saltwater, I can highly recommend Great Bay Marine. Excellent facility and staff and a sizable launch if you haven't already secured a slip or mooring ball in the area. (which can be very hard to come by). Great info on this channel, regardless of experience. Hoping for an early Spring!
An educational experience. Hopefully others can lean from it too.
Thank you so much for commenting!!!
I’ve always been interested to know how falling in with waders on and the inflatable pfd. I duck hunt and always say I’m going to try during the summer but have yet to do so. Thanks for highlighting your experience.
After experiencing this, I would highly recommend giving it a try. However, make sure you get the right CO2 cartridge and pill replacement before you do because that life jacket will be out of commission until you te-pack it. I’ve done several fly-in fly fishing trips into Quebec and I wondered the same. Let me know how it works out for you and thank you for sharing!!!
great video !
Thank you so much for commenting!
Im disabled an on the Tennessee River so if I go in the water getting back on the boat is probably not going to happen. Unless the boat was drifting when it happened or a second person is on the boat to cut the anchor an chase me, I am headed down river away from the boat. And even if my boat had a ladder, its hard to climb one with one hand. So I wear a higher end inflatable meant for off shore racing. It fits tight, has crotch straps an lift points. And a waterproof radio attached. So if I do have someone to throw me a rope an drag me back on board, I am equipped for that. But if not, I swim to shore an radio for help reuniting me an my boat who are probably several miles apart at that point.
Outstanding, thank you so much for sharing!
Update from Bodega Bay California… Another boat with 5 onboard has capsized in high seas and high winds. 4 lives were saved, but another has been lost. In less than 3 weeks 3 boats have capsized and 9 people have lost their lives! Pay attention to what this man is telling you!
I tried to post earlier but it looks like it’s gone???
😂I can’t figure this thing out half the time! For some reason I get an error if I comment on RUclips as opposed to RUclips Studio. I appreciate you commenting regardless.
well shit happens to the best ya, loose belts on vest ok while sitting and driving, but if u stand up for any reason cinch up everything, jumping off boat for a pee always have a life line attachted, you take care son
😊thank you so much!!!