Boater Missing on ICW

[bfdtpkt]

Although the other boat involved in the accident did NOT turn around, if Capt. John Martins was NOT onboard, it would work to his advantage to have the boat covering the "suspect" area from whence he came......

Let's hope he's found on "land" somewhere, God help him!

[Valiente]

Pink, is your friend of "a certain age" or have pre-existing medical problems that would cause him to fall off a sailboat under power?

I ask only because in relatively sheltered waters it's hard to fall off accidently: the boat isn't moving that much.

[pinkpussycat1031]

John is mid to late 30's, and no medical condition I am aware of which would cause him to fall. We have been trying to peice things together since we found out yesterday.

[Gryzio]

This is sad and hard to believe.

My first thought before reading everything was the man had a Heart Attack.

But, from what "Pink" say he was fairly young. This is strange to hear. I hope he along shore or made it to help and there not been an update.

[sailingdog]

I think he met his responsibilities, by reporting the boat and accident to the USCG. There is not much the person whose boat was hit could do beyond that, since they have no idea how long the boat has been uncrewed, or where the boat was left uncrewed.

Originally Posted by johnhalf

You know, I may be new to the whole captain thing, but I think that I would have felt it to be my responsibility to do a little more than motor away.
Does anyone know what the law says about this kind of thing?

TEShannon-

You may want to consider rigging your swim ladder with some way of lowering it from the water just in case.

[sailingdog]

Given his age and the conditions, I would say one possible cause might be that he fell overboard when the boat was rocked by a powerboat wake. I've seen that happen several times, but not on boats that were being singlehanded.

[pinkpussycat1031]

I to am thinking he may have fallen off the boat. He did in fact bring his cat, and I'm wondering if the cat fell, and John went in after it. His wife did say that the cat was missing too. I still am wishing for the best and hope they find him on land, and soon.

[camaraderie]

Coast Guard just cancelled the "pan-pan" be on the lookout message "pending further developments". To me this is an early cancellation of the search and I am guessing that it does not mean good news. Sorry to report this.

[sailingdog]

Given the temperature of the water, things aren't looking good...

[brak]

Based on initial collision location, it is likely that the skipper fell overboard fairly soon prior to collision. Just above Coinjock ICW is a very narrow channel, either as actual Coinjock cut or in Coinjock bay. Even with autopilot on and following a GPS course boat without human watching it would run out of the channel and aground in a matter of minutes. The fact that boat was still in the channel and moving suggests that it was manned very recently. My 5 cents.

Sad story in any case.