Re: [Paddlewise] Door County Deaths

Fred asked if anyone knew the cause of death of the couple off the coast of 
Door County Wisconsin--though I have not heard of an "official" cause of 
death, I thought that I would give what information I've been able to gather 
to date--

Erik and Kris Schuman of Grand Blanc Michigan were paddling near Cana Island, 
off the coast of Baileys Harbor Wisconsin (Door County) on Lake Michigan on 
Wednesday, June 21st.  They were reported missing on Friday, June 23rd, by 
relatives. One of their boats (a Skerray) was found on Friday, June 23rd, 
approximately 12 miles northeast of Cana Island. Searchers found the other 
boat on Saturday.  The footage on TV did not indicate any damage to the 
boats.  Kris's body was found on Sunday, June 25th, approximately 4.5 miles 
northeast of Cana Island.  Erik's body was not found until Friday, June 30th, 
3 miles east of Baileys Harbor. 

Kris was wearing a pfd and wetsuit when found, and had a GPS.  Erik is 
reported to have been wearing a pfd when found.  I don't know whether he was 
wearing a wetsuit or drysuit.  (I'm unsure of other equipment, though other 
kayakers I've talked to who have paddled with them have indicated that they 
were not novices.  I would hope that if they had spent the money for a GPS 
they would have already purchased a VHF radio--my rule of radio and compass 
first, then think about adding a GPS.)

The article that appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on June 26th 
quoted US Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer William Ragsdale as stating:

"All indications were that these were very experience kayakers.  They've done 
this extensively.  They had all the equipment."

Around noon on Wednesday, June 21st the winds were gusting out of the South 
to southwest to about 30 knots.  (Our group paddled Wednesday evening out of 
Milwaukee, but stayed very close to shore due to the winds, which were so 
fierce that the sailboat races were canceled.)  The water temperature was 
around 51 degrees, and the air temperature over the water was around 55 (it 
was around 70 on land).  Strong winds from the S-SW continued through the 
21st and into the 22nd.  One person from that area has said that the area 
around Cana Island is pretty treacherous right now due to the low water 
levels on Lake Michigan (previously discussed on PW).  There are lots of 
sandbars creating larger than usual waves.  Cana Island is very exposed from 
the South and southwest.

I'm afraid this all I know at this time, though I do hope to learn more over 
the next few days, and will post further details as they become available.

John Browning

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