US Coast Guard Bellingham recues kayakers

[kayakwriter]

https://www.facebook.com/USCoastGuardStationBellingham/posts/pfbid02uD19ZLMYdiqXMmRTorKELfEBCum3usbHHWy58Eob1VTn67QcU9wW29TZNaAtavYsl

Some dramatic photos and a happy ending - everyone rescued - including the dog!

 

[cougarmeat]

Can't get this link to work. Do you have one that doesn't require FaceBook?

 

[KWK]

Wow that would have been so traumatic for them all. Look at that poor little scared dog and that little boy, probably freezing. Luckily everyone is ok, I just hate to think how it could have turned out without the inreach device, if they weren’t wearing pfds and if it was just a little bit colder. Kayaking can be so much like climbing at times, one minute everything is fine and the next, things are totally out of control. Skill, gear and knowledge, things can go sideways so fast at times. I can’t imagine the fear and panic and everyone freaked out in that cold water. Perfect situation for a DSC vhf marine radio, that little red button could save you! It reminds me of a story I read once about water being the perfectly disguised killer, beautiful and silent, always enticing its victims on warm summer days. So glad the coast guard got there for them. A swamped double kayak would hold an incredible amount of water. It’s just simply amazing the training those coast guard men and women get. Thank you for your service.

Coast Guard rescues 4 adults, 1 child & dog near Lummi Island | Whatcom News

1 person required treatment from emergency medical services.

whatcom-news.com

 

[Peter-CKM]

Paddlefloat deployed in one photo, so they were probably attempting a self rescue at some point

 

[kayakwriter]

Can't get this link to work. Do you have one that doesn't require FaceBook?

Thanks to Tiger Shark for this one

https://whatcom-news.com/coast-guard-rescues-4-adults-1-child-dog-near-lummi-island_218715/

 

[alexsidles]

Paul, I don't have Facebook, either, but I was able to read the coast guard post and comments by pasting this link directly into my web browser and then closing the pop-up window that follows:
www.facebook.com/USCoastGuardStationBellingham/posts/796516022584429

In the comments to the post, the coast guard says:

Understanding local conditions is vital. Their use of GPS and life jackets was crucial for their rescue.​

They were an experienced family, equipped with sturdy tandem 3-person kayaks, but faced a sea that caught them off guard. Despite their training in kayak retrieval, the challenge of occasional 3-5 foot wind waves proved formidable. The kayaks remained intact but were swamped by water from the surging waves, not from any breaches.​

(Emphasis added)

According to the nearest weather station, Cherry Point South Dock Met, station CPMW1, sustained southerly winds that afternoon went as high as 19 knots, with gusts to 21 knots. At the same time, a south-setting tidal current off Lummi Island was running around 1.5 knots in opposition to the wind. Having paddled that stretch of Rosario Strait myself many times, I can confirm that a 19-knot wind against a 1.5-knot current would, indeed, generate occasional wind waves in the three to five-foot range, although most of the waves would come in around half that size or less. Those wind, wave, and current conditions are easily enough to swamp or capsize a kayak. A sufficiently skilled kayaker could pull through unscathed without too much trouble, but I suspect most regular folks would find themselves in "survival mode."

Unrelated thought: It's weird that we call a "south wind" one that flows from south to north, but we call a "south-setting current" one that flows from north to south.

Alex

 

[mick_allen]

There were 4 adults, 1 child, and a dog in two triple kayaks and looking closely in one of the pics I can sorta make out ‘Libra’. . . And sure enough CD made a LibraXT double that had a ctr hatch that also had a seat. 21’-8” x 32” wide makes it a good size and possibly the most stable double in common usage [certainly the widest].

Looking at the specs, one can see that the ctr hatch WAS bulkheaded off from the adjacent cockpits, so in ordinary situations with 2 ppl there would be a fair bit of residual buoyancy that likely would enable re-entry in reasonable conditions. But when all 3 ckpts were flooded, gear unknown, you can see how low the kayak floated.

The remaining freeboard is virtually non existent with any waves or any kayak rotation.

All in all, a great kayak choice but situated like that, a sobering situation for self rescue.

 

[chodups]

There were 4 adults, 1 child, and a dog in two triple kayaks and looking closely in one of the pics I can sorta make out ‘Libra’. . . And sure enough CD made a LibraXT double that had a ctr hatch that also had a seat. 21’-8” x 32” wide makes it a good size and possibly the most stable double in common usage [certainly the widest].

Looking at the specs, one can see that the ctr hatch WAS bulkheaded off from the adjacent cockpits, so in ordinary situations with 2 ppl there would be a fair bit of residual buoyancy that likely would enable re-entry in reasonable conditions. But when all 3 ckpts were flooded, gear unknown, you can see how low the kayak floated.

The remaining freeboard is virtually non existent with any waves or any kayak rotation.

View attachment 15753

I think one is a Libra and I see SeaScape on the other boat.

 

[mick_allen]

Good eye and deciphering!
The Seascape 3 is a legit 3 cockpit kayak and at 22'-1" long and 30" wide is another stable kayak.
I wonder how they both got dumped.

 

[SalishSeaNior]

According to the nearest weather station, Cherry Point South Dock Met, station CPMW1, sustained southerly winds that afternoon went as high as 19 knots, with gusts to 21 knots. At the same time, a south-setting tidal current off Lummi Island was running around 1.5 knots in opposition to the wind. Having paddled that stretch of Rosario Strait myself many times, I can confirm that a 19-knot wind against a 1.5-knot current would, indeed, generate occasional wind waves in the three to five-foot range, although most of the waves would come in around half that size or less. Those wind, wave, and current conditions are easily enough to swamp or capsize a kayak. A sufficiently skilled kayaker could pull through unscathed without too much trouble, but I suspect most regular folks would find themselves in "survival mode."

I too have paddled that section of water many times, and I have often stood at Stony Beach, or Sunset Beach on the North end of Lummi Island and looked at conditions when the wind was blowing against the tide. There are very often significant rips that develop in Rosario Straight where it intersects with Georgia Straight between Matia and Lummi Islands. I sometimes head out from Sunset Beach to play on the edge of said rips in windy conditions. Just speculating, but it is likely that these folk were returning from Matia or Sucia Island. That is a big open water crossing.

The other factor that is interesting is the two double kayaks with a dog and a child in the centre hatches. The Coast Guard said this in response to a query on their Facebook page:

Despite their training in kayak retrieval, the challenge of occasional 3-5 foot wind waves proved formidable. The kayaks remained intact but were swamped by water from the surging waves, not from any breaches.

I have paddled a double kayak frequently, usually with less experienced paddlers, including in this very same area. I have also often paddled my double with my two young grandsons, one in the front cockpit, one in the centre; but only in calm water.

Some things I am convinced of about after paddling a double for many years, even a very sea worthy one:

1; A kayak of over 20 feet long and more than 30 inches wide is much harder to handle in rough water than a single. I have played around and practiced surfing a double, and it takes two very skilled paddlers to keep it from yawing and broaching in surf. Lots of fun at places like Pachena Bay, but lots of rolling and swimming as well.

2; Same with broaching in big waves. A double has vastly more surface area on the sides, this means when it is hit by a wave, it requires a skillful and coordinated effort from both paddlers to keep a big wave from rolling it, this is done by edging and bracing correctly. I have more than a few times had to shout at a less skilled paddler to lean and to brace to keep the double upright. That often does not have much effect and I have been left to try to keep the boat upright by myself. Preferably in a double in rough water, both paddlers have the skill to react without consultation or instruction. A less skilled paddler in a double panicking or reacting badly to a big wave can easily cause a capsize.

3; If the centre hatches were open due to the child and the dog, dumping waves were likely filling them.

The kayaks remained intact but were swamped by water from the surging waves, not from any breaches.

That would lower the boats in the water and make them heavier and more unwieldy, even for two skilled paddlers. If the centre hatches on the boats were open and taking on water, it would be impossible to pump or bail them out.

4; It is a fallacy that a double kayak is more stable and less likely to capsize in rough conditions. My personal opinion is that this particular myth is one that sometimes gets people to launch into conditions they might not attempt if everyone was on the beach with single kayaks. It takes the same skill level to paddle a double in rough conditions, as it does to paddle a single. That means both paddlers must have good skills and also preferably practice in paddling a double.

A double feels safe and stable in calm water, not so much in rough water. Many folk who paddle double kayaks are totally rudder dependant and feel that other than steering, they don't have much to worry about in a double. The other skills necessary to paddle confidently in rough conditions, leaning, edge control, and bracing are not often understood, considered or learned.

I know of only one couple who could actually roll a double, they practiced in a pool to learn to do it. It required bomb proof rolling skills and enough practice so it became truly instinctive, right down to the timing of the set up. They used to demo it a the various kayak symposiums once held in the Pacific Northwest many years ago. Muscle memory, timing and reflexes honed by practice.

I am very glad that these folk were rescued and that the Coast Guard was there for them. Hopefully they learned from this experience. The place where this rescue occurred is big open water that can be deceptively placid looking, but if the wind picks up or the tide changes, it can get very technical in a hurry.

For the rest of us, if you paddle double kayaks, practice with them in rough conditions in a place where it is safe to do so. Practicing in small surf is fun and you will learn a great deal quickly.

Double kayaks are great seaworthy kraft, but a craft is only as good as the skills and experience of it's paddlers. My two bits worth;

Cheers, Rick

 

[ELS]

I don’t now about wind forecasts in that area, but down here in the SF Bay Area, wind forecasts are notoriously unreliable. Not only the speed, but even the direction is often quite different from the morning-of forecast. I’m so glad that everyone was rescued safely. The US and Canadian Coast Guards are both gems.
Cheers, Ellen

 

[KWK]

It would make a good story on Garmin’s website. They have actual true rescue scenario’s on their site from folks using their inreach devices. Not only can you communicate two way with the International Rescue Coordination Centre, but you can automatically send tracking information every ten minutes to someone, and the IERCC can also access it if required. Your gps coordinates and also a map showing where you are, so if you go missing they will have a last known position to start looking for you. Just one more layer of safety in your bag of tricks.

2023 Garmin inReach® SOS Year in Review

From hikers on daytrips to drivers on road trips, the inReach SOS data from 2023 shows that inReach devices are an important tool for many reasons.

www.garmin.com

 

[SalishSeaNior]

It just occurred to me that this is the second mishap with folk paddling double kayaks in the Southern Gulf Islands / San Juan Islands this spring. The first was in late April and involved a couple paddling a fibreglass double kayak. There was a thread posted on that incident as well. Kayakers Missing Near Victoria.

There are a lot of kayaking accidents in the San Juan and Southern Gulf Island. Reasons? Beautiful area; lots of marine parks and lovely places to paddle; big urban populations close by all around, lots of outfitters who take beginners out; beginners then rent or buy kayaks and go out on their own.

That is the context, but this area is also one of the most technical paddling areas in the Pacific Northwest. The crossing from the US to the Vancouver Island side is in fact one of the crux sections for paddling the Inside Passage. Inexperienced folk look at the gorgeous Islands, places to camp, generally good summer weather and don't understand the hazards. The sea can often look like a mill pond in this area and folk paddle out to islands with 10 km crossings. The conditions change and they are often faced with "trying/risking it" or sitting beach-bound waiting for the next calm conditions.

The April incident happened approximately 50 kms almost due west of the current one on an east - west line that runs directly through Boundary Pass. For less experienced folk following this thread, I would suggest reading Matt Broze's 1997 book "Deep Trouble" a compilation of 20 true kayak accident stories, what happened, what went wrong, what were the critical mistakes, etc. A very high percentage of the events discussed in that book, occurred in this area.

I believe that this is one of the true values of this forum. Incidents and news regarding these tragic incidents are posted, they are then discussed and examined by folk on the forum. That results in input, thoughtful commentary and first hand experience from some of the many highly experienced folk who habituate the forum. Those are all good things.

I will end by taking the liberty of paraphrasing an oft stated Climbing aphorism:

There are old paddlers, and there are bold paddlers. There are few old bold paddlers!

Cheers, Rick

 

[cougarmeat]

As I read the post, I felt a nostalgic twinge for Sea Kayayer (R.I.P.) magazine's Safety articles. Note that, "Deep Trouble" - stories taken from "Sea Kayaker" - has a, "More Deep Trouble" edition. Either book is a great read at the beginning of the summer (each year) to get your mind right for paddle season.

 

[ELS]

Yes, Cougarmeat, I too recall the Deep Trouble column in Sea Kayaker magazine. Back in the day, it was a worthy goal to avoid being written up in that column.

 

[MoultonAvery]

Glad they all survived - thanks to a very speedy response by the Coast Guard. Paddling on cold water without the protection of a wetsuit or drysuit is just begging for trouble. It's also pretty clear that these folks hadn't practiced rough water rescues. Also interesting that they were unable to rescue even though they had two doubles. Paddlers who lack such experience are generally overconfident and unaware of how difficult it is to pump out a large volume of water. A common phrase that I've read over the years goes something like this: "Every wave washed into the cockpit; pumping was useless". We've analyzed 25+ close calls and fatalities on our website and you can find our master index here: https://www.coldwatersafety.org/blog/categories/rule-1