I'm sure you've all heard/seen by now, news of the deadly Coast Guard helicopter crash yesterday... http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012301842_coptercrash08m.html Something like this is always sad, but as a resident, and paddler of the WA coast--and one who loves to paddle at La Push as well--this hits pretty close to home. Unfortunately, since living and paddling along this coast for the past several years, I've seen too many good people lose their lives. People whose job it is to try and save the lives of others; often in the most dangerous of circumstances (weather/water conditions, any time of day or night, any season, etc.). This was no rescue or training mission, and weather conditions couldn't have been more benign. I've read about the power lines, etc., but still don't know enough to adequately speculate. It's not the time for that anyway; it's just a time to be sad, yet again, and to remember those who, veteran or rookie, have devoted their lives to helping others, and are gone too soon. Just about every bit of water I paddle has its tragic stories; both recent and ancient. It's just the way of the sea, and at the same time that we celebrate the life enriching experiences we seek on these waters, there's always someone to remember as well. The next time I paddle La Push...I'll remember. -- Melissa PGP Public Key: http://tinyurl.com/2cmefzy *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Melissa Reese wrote: > I'm sure you've all heard/seen by now, news of the deadly Coast Guard > helicopter crash yesterday...[snip] Just about every bit of water I > paddle has its tragic stories; both recent and ancient. It's just the > way of the sea, and at the same time that we celebrate the life > enriching experiences we seek on these waters, there's always someone to > remember as well. The next time I paddle La Push...I'll remember. Well said, Melissa. Becky and I live one street over from an area in my city the Coast Guard populated with homes fifteen years ago to provide housing for Coasties with families. Now and then, one of those big helos circles overhead, way up there, so the kids can see Dad or Mom wave at them from their duty station. I always wonder if the kids understand the risks their parents take. Today I bet they do. Here in this fishing-centric community, we are up close and personal with USCG folks. Been that way for a long time, and getting more intense, with some readjustments in assignments and shifts in mission (mostly Homeland Security demands). A couple weeks ago, a guy got some crab pot line wrapped around his propeller shaft transiting the Columbia River bar, and had to call them in. One of their skookum 47 foot surf boats had the duty and snagged this guy (30 ft sailboat) and towed him back into Ilwaco harbor. We happened to be there, recharging our batteries after a delightful paddle just inside the bar (on benign waters) and wandered over to see the 47 footer up close and personal. The young man and young woman who had the dockside duty off the boat were extremely gracious and most proud of their "asset," answering our questions and explaining how they do tows, etc. After fifteen minutes of PR, they turned the thing within its own length and scooted back out. Short video of a 47-footer in action in 11-12 foot waves, Humboldt Bay Bar, northern CA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4lA6UcYKTw&feature=channel Ignore the cheesy soundtrack. This one is a series of stills of action at Morro Bay, with a shot of a partial rollover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI1AWCA6340&feature=related -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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