[Paddlewise] Lake Erie sea kayaking death

Many thanks to the folks who sent the refs on the death of Captain Tom
Hancock, USN (Ret.), in a sea kayaking accident on Lake Erie.  "Rhino" Hancock
did not have any trouble earning his nickname, and, looking at him, you'd
suspect he was a Marine --- as the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.  He wasn't.
He spent 35 years in the Navy, actually, although I'm sure he'd take the
Semper Fi reference as a compliment.  He was a good friend and a good
shipmate.

There was a follow-on article in Monday's paper, but it said little more than
the Sunday article;
<www.cleveland.com.news/pdnews/metro/monday/cdrown31.phtml>.  The telling item
was the statement of Petty Officer Mike Reilley, the Coast Guard spokesman;
"he had on a dry suit that would have protected him," he said, but he added
that the suit was open.  Water temperature was about 50 F., same as the Bay
yesterday.  Yup, stuff happens.

The way the stories were developing, it's likely that the coroner will publish
the cause of death today.  Strange how statistics work when you know the
victim.  Put "The Rhino" in your book for me, Chuck.

Jack Martin
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