Charles Walker, 52, was last seen on Pompano Beach around 5 p.m. on Sept. 23, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Walker’s family said he was planning on jet skiing from the beach to Bimini in the Bahamas, a distance of around 115 miles.
-Steve
There is an organized group that does that from Miami to Bimini every year, about 50 miles. They go in a group, have chase boats and other precautions. I've always thought about going with them.
ReplyDeleteBefore I would start such a mission I would want to know exactly how far it is, what kind of range a jet ski has, and some means of navigation to make sure I didn't get lost out on open water. Even with that, it still doesn't have any appeal.
ReplyDeleteThe surprising thing is that some idiots survive doing this. It's a thing, to see jetskiers with jerry jugs and camelpaks slung here and there, headed east. I resent it , because a certain proportion of them will call Uncle Sugar to rescue their idiot asses when they find out the Gulf Stream has its' own sea state irrespective of the water around it, and it's less nice as a rule... and because the Fish Police have to rescue so many of the stupid bastards, they have less time to spend rescuing guys like me who out there 6 months a year or more and trying really hard to come home at the end of a trip.
ReplyDeleteI had no problem in my little 31' lobsterboat to work 30+ miles offshore, but that was pushing the safety limits and I had to be inshore before the weather even thought about changing. With a 42' I was far more comfortable. These days, anything under 100' and I don't want to get out of bed. A jetski has no business beyond the driver's swimming distance to shore.
People who have never seen the gulf stream rise up on the horizon off ft Lauderdale Beach have zero clue of what you mean. It's like a firehose in a kittie pool.
DeleteI take my Waverunner to Molokai from Oahu which is 32 miles but I have an 'epirb', flares, 'plb' (personal locator beacon) marine vhf & cell. Crazy to go that distance alone. As 'Divemedic' said above, go with a big group. Poor guy is floating around the 'Bermuda Triangle' about now...
ReplyDeleteDo stupid shit win stupid prizes
ReplyDelete