These three articles seem to have the best coverage of this week's boat sinking in the Texas Gulf.
One of the two passengers survived 30 hours in the water after drifting for 50 miles, the other didn't make it.
Two marine radio Mayday calls went unanswered, no cell phone coverage available. The survivor spotted a manned oil rig about 3 PM and swam for it, but could not reach it. Coast Guard search was initiated ca. 27 hours after sinking, based on an overdue report from the survivor's wife, at 11:30 PM. Around 2AM the survivor reached an unattended oil rig and phoned his wife, asking her to have the Coast Guard phone him back. The Coast guard looked for his friend at the last reported position, but a fisherman found the body first (ca. 9 AM).
Information on Coast Guard Search Fairly detailed account Another fairly detailed account. I'm getting an error when I try to link to the info on the CG search. It may be an expired link.
Boy, that happened fast. I wonder what the heck happened.
Yeah, a PLB and a signal mirror would sure have been handy. Good things to have
attached to your life vest (or in pockets of the vest). That air crew vest sounds like a nice one.
I'm not a boater (more hiking and backpacking), but keeping things
on one's person is a recurring theme as one dissects incidents like this.
HJ
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