Something to Keep in Mind about the Destin Pass

[Rick Webb]

Thought I should include this after the discusion of Destin Pass and how it is not so bad. It most times is not.March marks anniversary of fatal UTB mishapThis month marks the 24th anniversary of the capsizing of Coast Guard 41408 and the loss of its engineer. The Station Destin utility boat was returning to the station on 30 MARCH, 1981, from a SAR case and was transiting East Pass in 10-12 foot seas, when it was hit on the starboard quarter by a large wave, capsizing it. MK3 Lonnie Jones drowned attempting to swim to the west jetty. The other two crew members survived.

 

[Terry Arnold]

Second that Rick

A couple of years ago a Pearson 365, a capable boat for sure, got into a very serious predicament at the Pass. Having just bought the boat in the Mobile Bay area, the owner had followed the ICW to Destin with several more aboard and there decided to go outside, intending to head east and south. With a lot of wind, he ran into breakers across the pass whose hazard was not identified until too late. The boat was rolled, spilling them all out into the water but luckily all reached the jetties safely. The boat was recovered a day or two later out in the Gulf. When I later saw it at the the Bluewater marina, it had lost its steering pedestal and mizzen standing rigging and everything on deck was just a mess. The main mast had the masthead fittings badly bent which could only have happened with the boat rolling till the top of mainmast hit the bottom. Destin is not to be trifled with.

 

[p323ms]

Now I am scared again!!!!

The previous discussion made me think about running the pass at Destin but now it is a question again. Next time I head west I'll probably plan on sailing nonstop from Panama City to Pensacola. It's only 100 miles or so. With reasonable weather it should be simple for my wife and I to sail roughly 24 hours and then anchor at Fort Mcree. After rest and with OK weather make a long day sail outside to Mobile bay and anchor in Navy cove or south of Dauphin island depending upon the wind. We sailed Santa Rosa Sound and it is a great sail with the wind anywhere but out of the west assuming you are heading west.  Someday when the wind and tides are right I'll try the Destin Pass. My luck is such that at exactly that time a fishing tournament will be coming through the pass!!!! Tom

 

[Rick Webb]

Did Not Intend to Scare You Out of Here

Just do not try to do the pass with 10 or 12' seas. If you are not sure about it feel free to call the Coast Guard Station on the radio to check conditions. I am sure they would rather talk to you on the radio than send a boat out to rescue you. Hundreds of boat come in and out of the pass most everyday.