RE: [Paddlewise] being watchful

Hi All - 

Many thanks to Adam Brown, the Working Waterfront folks, and the Harbor
Safety Committee for working to help us all to navigate and enjoy the harbor
with greater awareness.  And thanks to Ralph Diaz for alerting us to this
latest cautionary Hudson River tale.

A New York Times article seemed to contain some unaddressed contradictions: 

One witness described the two men as wearing life preservers, but they were
then described as floating away.  The article also opens with the statement
that the two were left submerged after the boat flipped, but witnesses
described them calling for help and being instructed to hold onto their
boat.

A brother of one of the victims said the water was "too cold" -- for a
rescue?  Or for the two to stay alive for long after the boat flipped?  The
Times doesn't give the statement context or verify the water temperature was
a factor, although cold shock has a broader temperature range than I at one
time thought. 

One witness assumes that at least one of the victims couldn't swim.  It
sounds that way, but alternatively, he could have injured himself
(especially his head) when the boat flipped.

Ralph, or others, have you come across any more information about this
accident?  Another question for kayakers -- if we came across this scene as
it unfolded, what could we do to best help the boaters?  It seems they were
likely panicky and liable to tip a kayak attempting rescue.

Separately, I've also often kayaked past that point, and even recently
stopped to take a series of photographs of the burnt-out pier wreckage there
at near low water.  If I'm not mistaken, the area could be part of a Trump
development -- are there waterfront plans that might make the area safer?

Note to Downtown Boathouse people:  The Borough of Manhattan Community
College has informally offered to lend their water safety expert to us for a
clinic or lecture.  It might be a good thing to say "yes" to.

Salted Regards,

Erik


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