Kayaking tragedy in the apostle Islands

[Jackdaw]

I wasn’t there, but I know people that were. They said the VHF radio traffic was heartbreaking.

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/08/31/lake-superior-apostle-islands-death-accident-boat

 

[jssailem]

Tragic.

 

[shemandr]

The surviving mother - lost her family. My deepest sympathy. I can't imagine. So terribly sad!

 

[mnmpizza]

5ppl on a kayak. Must have been a Hobie Tandem Island (trimaran). I have one. If he flipped it. It would be really hard to right it.

I’m not too sure I’d have ever left the boat -really hard to sink....

 

[SG]

5ppl on a kayak. Must have been a Hobie Tandem Island (trimaran). I have one. If he flipped it. It would be really hard to right it.

I’m not too sure I’d have ever left the boat -really hard to sink....

My first "big boat" experience was up there in an old Morgan 38. The water temperature is in the upper 40's to upper 50 something, I'd guess. It was "take your breath away" cold. If the water is stirred-up by waves, it gets a lot colder.

Horrible and heart breaking.
I can't imagine taking kids out on a canoe or row boat in Lake Superior like that. It's just too unforgiving.

Post Script: This from a website:



Below is a graph of Historical Sea Surface Temperature for Apostle Islands. This has been derived from analysis of two decades of oceanographic satellite measurements of nearby open water. We have calculated the average water temperature variation around the year as well as the extremes that have been observed on each date.

All of the graphs for the surf breaks presented on Surf-Forecast.com are on the same scale to enable comparison between locations around the world.

Apostle Islands sea temperatures peak in the range 12 to 19°C (54 to 66°F) on around the 14th of August and are at their minimum on about the 15th of March, in the range 1 to 2°C (34 to 36°F). The maximum seasonal sea temperatures at Apostle Islands in mid August lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots. The minimum sea temperatures at Apostle Islands mean that you will need a flexible 6/5/4mm wetsuit or a well fitting 5/4mm wetsuit with gloves and 5mm neoprene booties and a hood to surf here in mid March.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Apostle Islands can vary by several degrees compared with these open water averages. This is especially true after heavy rain, close to river mouths or after long periods of strong offshore winds. Offshore winds cause colder deep water to replace surface water that has been warmed by the sun. Air temperature, wind-chill and sunshine should also be considered before deciding on the kind of wetsuit needed to stay warm when surfing at Apostle Islands. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.

 

[Jackdaw]

I’ve sailed up there for years. Only once did I find water temp ‘enjoyable’. Maybe 5% of the time I’d call it ‘brisk’ and go for quick 5 minute swim. Most of the time it’s deadly. I don’t want to 2nd guess, but an entire family with 3 small children an open kayak in open water? PFDs don’t help if you there if can’t get out of the water.

 

[marty9876]

I’m out in the islands now, really broadens one perspective to say the least. We heard the VHF traffic last year for Stan’s accident, I can’t image this one.

What the surviving wife must be going to is beyond me. My thoughts are with her.

 

[Will Gilmore]

A horrible tragedy made especially tragic by the horrendous ordeal the surviving mother is going though. I can't help but imagine it was my family and me, and it makes my heart skip and tears come to my eyes.
I am so sad for her.

-Will (Dragonfly)

 

[Gunni]

Similar thing happened a decade ago or so down in Appalachee Bay, Florida. A group of scouts under the supervision of a Georgia scout leader were canoeing in spring in the open gulf and got caught out in a north front after dark. The scout leader was carrying a Georgia cell phone and his 911 calls routed back up to Macon. The resulting hours long delays led to the death of two scouts.

In this most recent case it looks like the response delay was in excess of 4 hours - too long to survive the water conditions without special gear. You have to be able to self-rescue or mob a response quickly. Maybe have the local sheriff on speed-dial. I have spent a lot of time in open water and cold water is absolutely the most deadly condition most people face. It quickly saps the ability to move your muscles and clouds your judgment. With a small boat you have to have a Plan B for ending up in the water. This guy could not have possibly have had such a plan.

 

[shemandr]

The Mother- losing her family - awful. I feel great sadness for her. My prayers for her. The other stuff is details. Discussible only to learn from.

 

[Ilanortho]

I've sailed those waters in chartered 30+ foot boats with my family/ kids. Have seen the weather go from blissful sunny calm to gale conditions in matter of hours. On one occasion I felt lucky we were even alive; only three hours before was drinking coffee on deck on an absolutely gorgeous misty and still early morning anchorage in a wild secluded bay (can't remember which island), after over-nighting on the hook, when the radio rudely announced tornado weather moving in quickly from Minnesota. I found it hard to believe given how idyllic it was, but the radio itself sounded terrified! We raised anchor immediately and motored back to Madeline Island as quickly as the tub would move as there was absolutely no wind. We hit the dock as all hell broke loose about 3 hours later. I remember feeling awful for years that my kids could have perished had I not flipped the radio on.

Open kayaks in these waters with as young as 3 year old???
Little ones have a very high surface area to body mass ratio and become hypothermic much much faster than an adult in those frigid waters.
If someone rented them those kayaks as tourists they should be brought to account.
I simply can't imagine.

 

[Jackdaw]

In this most recent case it looks like the response delay was in excess of 4 hours - too long to survive the water conditions without special gear. You have to be able to self-rescue or mob a response quickly. Maybe have the local sheriff on speed-dial. I have spent a lot of time in open water and cold water is absolutely the most deadly condition most people face. It quickly saps the ability to move your muscles and clouds your judgment. With a small boat you have to have a Plan B for ending up in the water. This guy could not have possibly have had such a plan.

They updated this story with an additional detail... that while the text was 'sent' at 4:30pm, it was not received until 9:30pm. Spotty sporadic coverage to blame.

Anyone that boats in the Apostle Islands knows that once you leave the docks at Bayfield, cell coverage is spotty or non-existent. Some carriers are better than others (best to worst: Verizon, ATT, Tmobile, Sprint), but at Michigan Island NOBODY has coverage. The fact that they did not have a VHF handheld is astounding.

What makes it even more sad is that less than 3 miles away were probably a dozen or more boats starting to set up anchor at 3 of the most popular anchorages in the Islands. A VHF call would have brought them (and the USCG Bayfield) to the scene at best possible speed.

 

[Jackdaw]

An addendum to that last post. I've talked to several kayakers who don't carry them because they say the range is too limited (being so close to the water) that the radios have little utility. What they forget is that the sailboats with their mast mounted antennas in the area will always relay messages for them.

 

[sailnoproblem]

I know nothing of that area. But reading some posts it seems to me that maybe Kayaks should be restricted from the area given the water temps and the quickly changing weather!
My prayers are with the Mother.

 

[dLj]

Having kayacked in that area, I would definately not want banning, or restricting them.

For sure, this was a tragedy. My prayers and sympathies go out to the mom. Words cannot express enough.

dj

 

[Jackdaw]

I know nothing of that area. But reading some posts it seems to me that maybe Kayaks should be restricted from the area given the water temps and the quickly changing weather!
My prayers are with the Mother.

With the correct skills, gear, and an eye to the weather, kayaking in the islands can be very safe and pleasurable. Indeed, thousands do it every summer, and there are several large outfitters in the area that cater to those wanted to go. With an entire under-prepared family in one boat, 3 of them being under 10 years of age, attempting an open water crossing however, not good.

 

[kloudie1]

Open deck kayak 13.5 feet long with 4 folks on big (cold) water.. storm was forecast.. sounds like skipper was on a time schedule?
sad news

 

[BigEasy]

With the correct skills, gear, and an eye to the weather, kayaking in the islands can be very safe and pleasurable. With an entire family in one boat, 3 of them being under 10 years of age, attempting an open water crossing, not good.

I have read this quote on SBO many times, its a matter of "not knowing, what you don't know." From most accounts including a forecasted storm, cold water temps, and distance to be traveled in an open kayak, the couple were putting their family's lives in danger and didn't have enough knowledge nor experience to anticipate the predicament in which they found themselves. Very sad tragedy that could have been prevented. My prayers go out to the surviving mother.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Very sad tragedy that could have been prevented. My prayers go out to the surviving mother

This could, of course, be said of almost any tragedy. Unfortunately, life comes with horrible dangers and little in the way of instructions.

maybe Kayaks should be restricted from the area given the water temps and the quickly changing weather!

I think such a move would really upset those who invented the kayak.

-Will (Dragonfly)

 

[MitchM]

re: hypothermia: when my rudder froze far to port and wouldn't move, i put on a life vest and went in from the swim ladder. after 30 minutes in lake erie in august in 74 degree water , i had hypothermia so bad i could barely climb back up the ladder- i needed help from those on board. those poor souls did not stand a chance in lake superior. ,the mother's cell phone call about their 2 pm accident to her sister did not get picked up by her sister til 8:29 PM , who relayed it to USCG.