My wife, Linda, told me the following story last night. It was told to her by a co-worker, M, one of the participants. Be warned that this is a third-hand account, so some of the details may be wrong or misleading. Last weekend M and her boyfriend B joined a group that intended to kayak from Little Sand Bay to Sand Island in Lake Superior's Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. During the crossing to Little Sand Island, M and another kayaker capsized in what M said were six-foot waves. M was wearing a wetsuit, but the other kayaker developed hypothermia, and was evacuated by the Park Service or Coast Guard after one of the group went to get help. Sand Island has two group campgrounds and several individual campsites on it that are maintained by the Park Service. It is several miles across, and looks quite near from the put-in at Little Sand Bay. The distance from the put-in is about two miles to the nearest point of the island, but about three miles to the campsites. The proximity of the island attracts many inexperienced kayakers, most of whom are unaware that that crossing is considered one of the more hazardous in the Apostles because of a stretch of shallow water that can cause steep waves to develop. I don't know the size of the group, but it consisted of several people, apparently all paddling solo kayaks. No one had a weather radio or spare paddle. M doesn't think any of the group has a roll or good bracing skills. When Linda recommended to M earlier this year that she learn to roll, M's boyfriend B pooh-poohed the idea, saying it wasn't necessary. I think M herself has been kayaking less than a year. Though no one had a weather radio, M says the group checked the weather forecast at the visitor center before putting in. When M capsized, she tried to do a paddle float reentry, but had trouble inflating the float. I think she was rescued by other members of the group. For a while after the rescue they rafted up, but M was so frightened by her capsize that when the kayaks separated, the other kayakers had to pry her fingers off their coamings. Satellite data indicates that the water temperature was in the mid to low 60s F at the time. Data from the weather buoy in the center of the west end of Lake Superior indicates that during daylight hours on Saturday the wind was ENE at around 20 kt with gusts to 33 kt, and that significant wave heights in open water were running between 5 and 7 feet. During daylight hours on Sunday the winds were WSW at about 16 kt, with 3-foot waves. So the weather did not sneak up on them or change suddenly. However, with an ENE wind, their put-in point would have been sheltered by a headland to the east and York Island north of that, so they might not have felt the full force of the wind and waves until they were close to Sand Island. The fetch, where it was unobstructed by the islands, would have been two to three hundred miles. Sunday's conditions were more benign: with a WSW wind, the fetch is only a few miles. It appears that the group thought the relatively benign conditions in the bay on Saturday would apply all the way to their destination. Linda asked M if she had ever read _Deep Trouble_, but M had never heard of the book. Although M intends to continue to kayak (she has a fiberglass sea kayak on order), I suspect she will take skill development and other safety measures more seriously now. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Are Park Service or Coast Guard incident reports public information? If so how does one get a copy? Chuck, I think an effort should be made to get good information on this incident into local kayaking print, HUT, UMKTN and the TCSKA newsletter. What can I do to help? This incident should add some weight to the argument that a trip to Sand Island requires a higher level of paddling skills than some in the Twin Cities paddling community have felt necessary. Dana -----Original Message----- From: CHUCK_at_multitech.com [mailto:CHUCK_at_multitech.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 1998 1:30 PM To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Cc: njohnson_at_techniword.com; dana.dickson_at_unisys.com Subject: Incident in the Apostles My wife, Linda, told me the following story last night. It was told to her by a co-worker, M, one of the participants. Be warned that this is a third-hand account, so some of the details may be wrong or misleading. Last weekend M and her boyfriend B joined a group that intended to kayak from Little Sand Bay to Sand Island in Lake Superior's Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. During the crossing to Little Sand Island, M and another kayaker capsized in what M said were six-foot waves. M was wearing a wetsuit, but the other kayaker developed hypothermia, and was evacuated by the Park Service or Coast Guard after one of the group went to get help. Sand Island has two group campgrounds and several individual campsites on it that are maintained by the Park Service. It is several miles across, and looks quite near from the put-in at Little Sand Bay. The distance from the put-in is about two miles to the nearest point of the island, but about three miles to the campsites. The proximity of the island attracts many inexperienced kayakers, most of whom are unaware that that crossing is considered one of the more hazardous in the Apostles because of a stretch of shallow water that can cause steep waves to develop. I don't know the size of the group, but it consisted of several people, apparently all paddling solo kayaks. No one had a weather radio or spare paddle. M doesn't think any of the group has a roll or good bracing skills. When Linda recommended to M earlier this year that she learn to roll, M's boyfriend B pooh-poohed the idea, saying it wasn't necessary. I think M herself has been kayaking less than a year. Though no one had a weather radio, M says the group checked the weather forecast at the visitor center before putting in. When M capsized, she tried to do a paddle float reentry, but had trouble inflating the float. I think she was rescued by other members of the group. For a while after the rescue they rafted up, but M was so frightened by her capsize that when the kayaks separated, the other kayakers had to pry her fingers off their coamings. Satellite data indicates that the water temperature was in the mid to low 60s F at the time. Data from the weather buoy in the center of the west end of Lake Superior indicates that during daylight hours on Saturday the wind was ENE at around 20 kt with gusts to 33 kt, and that significant wave heights in open water were running between 5 and 7 feet. During daylight hours on Sunday the winds were WSW at about 16 kt, with 3-foot waves. So the weather did not sneak up on them or change suddenly. However, with an ENE wind, their put-in point would have been sheltered by a headland to the east and York Island north of that, so they might not have felt the full force of the wind and waves until they were close to Sand Island. The fetch, where it was unobstructed by the islands, would have been two to three hundred miles. Sunday's conditions were more benign: with a WSW wind, the fetch is only a few miles. It appears that the group thought the relatively benign conditions in the bay on Saturday would apply all the way to their destination. Linda asked M if she had ever read _Deep Trouble_, but M had never heard of the book. Although M intends to continue to kayak (she has a fiberglass sea kayak on order), I suspect she will take skill development and other safety measures more seriously now. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I spoke with the Park Ranger this afternoon, and will be talking to him again tomorrow to get more details. He left me a message saying that there were 8 people in the group, 2 were, in his words, "novices". He said the capsize occurred on Sunday as they left Sand Island, and that the group then rafted up to rescue the victims. So I guess thats public info, and I will try to flesh out the details. Dickson, Dana A. wrote: > > Are Park Service or Coast Guard incident reports public information? If so > how does one get a copy? > > Chuck, I think an effort should be made to get good information on this > incident into local kayaking print, HUT, UMKTN and the TCSKA newsletter. I think thats a good idea, but why limit it to local? > What can I do to help? > > This incident should add some weight to the argument that a trip to Sand > Island requires a higher level of paddling skills than some in the Twin > Cities paddling community have felt necessary. I think that applies to any trip, anywhere on Lake Superior, and Twin Cities people arent the only ones who are guilty of it I'm sure. Having been in the middle of the lake when it was at it's worst, I have the ultimate respect (and yes, fear) for it. Thats hard to transmit to others but we have to try. Wayne *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 98-09-24 17:31:13 EDT, dana.dickson_at_unisys.com writes: << Are Park Service or Coast Guard incident reports public information? If so how does one get a copy? >> I may be able to give you some answers on that tomorrow, Dana. Have an appointment at Coast Guard Headquarters, Buzzards Point (S.E. Washington) with the person in charge of such things. Was following up for another paddler with general interests in such records. Will post what I find --- and it's conceivable that the meeting will have to be rescheduled to Monday. The easy answer is yes --- the data is there, it's in the public domain, and it's available. Just getting into the process of obtaining it. Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 98-09-24 17:31:13 EDT, dana.dickson_at_unisys.com writes: << Are Park Service or Coast Guard incident reports public information? If so how does one get a copy? >> I may be able to give you some answers on that tomorrow, Dana. Have an appointment at Coast Guard Headquarters, Buzzards Point (S.E. Washington) with the person in charge of such things. Was following up for another paddler with general interests in such records. Will post what I find --- and it's conceivable that the meeting will have to be rescheduled to Monday. The easy answer is yes --- the data is there, it's in the public domain, and it's available. Just getting into the process of obtaining it. Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Jack, A paddler drown at Camp Arrowhead, DE last year about this time. Will you be able to get information on that accident and let us know what the circumstances were? Seems like it was a case of a boat not being secured properly. bye bye bliven ================ >I may be able to give you some answers on that tomorrow, Dana. Have an >appointment at Coast Guard Headquarters, Buzzards Point (S.E. Washington) with >the person in charge of such things. Was following up for another paddler >with general interests in such records. Will post what I find --- and it's >conceivable that the meeting will have to be rescheduled to Monday. > >The easy answer is yes --- the data is there, it's in the public domain, and >it's available. Just getting into the process of obtaining it. > >Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 98-09-25 05:42:38 EDT, foxhill_at_shore.intercom.net writes: << A paddler drown at Camp Arrowhead, DE last year about this time. Will you be able to get information on that accident and let us know what the circumstances were? Seems like it was a case of a boat not being secured properly. >> Probably, Larry. I remember the incident. The database that I'm trying to get easy access to is broken down by state, and contains reports on on-water accidents where local, state or USCG assets were called in, but it may not have the level of detail that would be ideal for our purposes. But the incident you mention is a good test case --- if it's there, we may have a viable database: if not, it's questionable. Will let the list know. That case brings up an interesting side issue: the boat the young man was paddling was a rental SOT, as I recall, and was not locked up or secured as it should have been. Commercial liability aside, does anyone know if we, as individual paddlers, have a legal responsibility if someone were to take out an unsecured kayak of ours and drown or sustain injuries? In other words, is there anything in the law that says we <have> to lock up our boats or be held responsible for the consequences --- sorta like leaving keys in a car? Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 98-09-25 05:42:38 EDT, foxhill_at_shore.intercom.net writes: << A paddler drown at Camp Arrowhead, DE last year about this time. Will you be able to get information on that accident and let us know what the circumstances were? Seems like it was a case of a boat not being secured properly. >> Probably, Larry. I remember the incident. The database that I'm trying to get easy access to is broken down by state, and contains reports on on-water accidents where local, state or USCG assets were called in, but it may not have the level of detail that would be ideal for our purposes. But the incident you mention is a good test case --- if it's there, we may have a viable database: if not, it's questionable. Will let the list know. That case brings up an interesting side issue: the boat the young man was paddling was a rental SOT, as I recall, and was not locked up or secured as it should have been. Commercial liability aside, does anyone know if we, as individual paddlers, have a legal responsibility if someone were to take out an unsecured kayak of ours and drown or sustain injuries? In other words, is there anything in the law that says we <have> to lock up our boats or be held responsible for the consequences --- sorta like leaving keys in a car? Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
In reading these reports, I am starting to wonder if ACA or some other organization publishes or should publish an annual summary of accidents resulting in injury or death. The American Alpine Club publishes "Accidents in North American Mountaineering" every year, with reports and analysis of all significant incidents. It's a very useful book.I read it, and half the time I think, "Jeez, whata bunch of idiots." The other half makes me think, "Wow, I do that and I never realized the hazard involved." Between the gloating and the introspection, I get more aware and smarter about what I'm doing. My point is, kayaking/canoeing would be well served by such a publication, undertaken by a "user" rather than an "industry" group. Comments? Roger JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com wrote: > In a message dated 98-09-25 05:42:38 EDT, foxhill_at_shore.intercom.net writes: > > << > A paddler drown at Camp Arrowhead, DE last year about this time. Will you be > able to get information on that accident and let us know what the > circumstances were? Seems like it was a case of a boat not being secured > properly. >> > > Probably, Larry. I remember the incident. The database that I'm trying to > get easy access to is broken down by state, and contains reports on on-water > accidents where local, state or USCG assets were called in, but it may not > have the level of detail that would be ideal for our purposes. But the > incident you mention is a good test case --- if it's there, we may have a > viable database: if not, it's questionable. Will let the list know. > > That case brings up an interesting side issue: the boat the young man was > paddling was a rental SOT, as I recall, and was not locked up or secured as it > should have been. Commercial liability aside, does anyone know if we, as > individual paddlers, have a legal responsibility if someone were to take out > an unsecured kayak of ours and drown or sustain injuries? In other words, is > there anything in the law that says we <have> to lock up our boats or be held > responsible for the consequences --- sorta like leaving keys in a car? > > Jack Martin > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Roger Korn wrote: > > In reading these reports, I am starting to wonder if ACA or some other > organization publishes or should publish an annual summary of accidents resulting > in injury or death. I know that the ACA does track paddling incidents. The work is done by Charlie Walbridge but its focus may be on whitewater incidents. I had understood that his intention was to cover all though. Also, to a degree, Chuck Sutherland in Pennsylvania has been tracking sea kayaking incidents in this area (Northeast). Some of these incidents do show up in Coast Guard reports but it is a matter of tracking the individual incidents down. For that you need the date and location. Some of the reports are pretty illuminating but much depends on the level of Coast Guard participation. I once tracked down for Chuck the incident report of the Coast Guard on a rescue of kayakers in NY harbor on a gusty evening paddle trip. It was quite full of detail such as the specific USCG boats launched to do the S & R, etc. But it was wrong in reporting the situation of the kayakers. It had all the boats over when it was just one of the four or so that had capsized. I got the info by sending a Freedom of Information Act inquiry to the local Coast Guard command. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
For all interested, an interim update on boating accident data. Have not been able to get to the Coast Guard gent who keeps the stats, but did talk to another gent there who was able to provide some amplifying information. As to responsibilities: the <operator> of the vessel involved in any "reportable incident" is required to contact state and/or local authorities if the incident involves (1) a fatality, (2) property damage to the vessel and/or other property valued in excess of $500, (3) injuries which involve emergency medical care beyond first aid, or (4) the disappearance of an individual under conditions which indicate death or injury. I'm paraphrasing my contact who was paraphrasing the rules here, so don't take this as gospel --- but it's functionally the way it works. (For our readers in Canada, I've got a POC in Ottawa to call to get some referrals for y'all, but haven't had time to run the wickets yet; I'll do the U.S. stuff first, compile that, and then pass the Canadian info on, as well.) But here's the catch for those who want official data to compile sea kayaking databases of on-water incidents. As stated at the top, it's the legal responsibility of the operator of the vessel to pass data on a reportable incident along to the proper state/local authorities, and those authorities are required, then, to pass this data to the Coast Guard. My source indicated that the Coast Guard believes that they receive 99.9% of reportable fatalities, and about 5% --- that's not a misprint, it's only five percent --- of all other categories of legally reportable incidents. So much for the single source for U.S. sea kayaking incidents! Individual states' stats may be better, but I haven't run that part of the check yet. So, when I do get to the keeper of the numbers --- and that's more likely to be late next week at the earliest --- the only statistically significant numbers the USCG is likely to be able to give us is the fatality info. And the newest hard copy is 1996 data. May be able to get it electronically, and may be able to get 1997 data electronically, as well. That's a good start, but, obviously, it's only a small part of the actual data we'd like to have, 'cause 95% of the injury information will be unreported. Incidentally, someone suggested the NTSB as another potential source of data; from what I've been able to get thus far, that's a dead end. They keep data on <big> stuff, but the Coast Guard really does have the responsiblity for keeping track of the level of incidents which are important to us. Will pass stuff along as I get it --- and, eventually, will also copy the New York and CPA lists, 'cause I know there are a few people there who will be interested, as well. Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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