My comments published earlier today.

http://www.equipped.org/blog/?p=106

Unfortunate.

I think that this Coast Guard Capt. probably overestimated. It's darn tough to see someone on the surface of any large body of water. All you are really looking for is a head, bobbing up and down in waves. I've had a few times when finding a navigation mark, many times the size of a human head. Add in a decent sea or swell, and it gets tougher.

On the other hand, it would very difficult for anyone to have survived this long in that water.

My prayers and sympathies for their families.

I've known few CG captains to overestimate anything;lots of ensigns, but few captains.

We've probably had different experiences with the USCG. If you said that about Warrant Officers, I'd agree.

Fox News is reporting that the survivor says that the NFL guys gave up:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,504464,00.html

More of my commentary:

http://www.equipped.org/blog/?p=107

"Scott Miller, a friend of the college teammates, said Schuyler told him that a chopper shone a light directly above them the first night. Schuyler also told him he even saw lights beaming from ashore."

Most boating stores sell a small pouch (some examples: http://www.thefind.com/sports/info-survival-pouch) that attaches to a PFD belt. Its big enough for a strobe, mirror, whistle, a couple of flares and a flashlight, and of course, your PLB (all attached by a separate lanyard). Any one of theses signaling devices might have made a difference.

I wonder what the weather forecast said before they left - modern forecasts 24 hours ahead generally aren't _that_ far off, not to miss 10'-15' seas vs. whatever a 21' boat would be reasonably expected to handle.

That sure seems like a small boat to me to be so far out. I don't boat any more but when growing up I had a small 16' boat, and I doubt I ever got more than 1,000 feet from shore. That was in parts because of (1) fear of my dad finding out, (2) fear of the cranky motor quitting and (3) weather forecasts weren't as good in the 1960s, but still I wonder if that far out at sea is a good idea for anyone.

How well does a person in the water stand out in NVG? Their heads ought to be 25+ degrees warmer than the surrounding water, but it's an awful small single-pixel target...

It's the same thing I've heard from aircraft owners, "Why should I invest in something I will never need ? " Either a PLB or other rescue equipment is last on most owners list, they would rather put there money in the latest fishing equipment, or some new nav aid. But don't many of us fall for this where we buy the newest knife/ tent/ pack ect. when perhaps we should be look at other preprations for emergencys ? But because it's hard to get excited about a water barrel we let it pass. Just my thought YMMV.

I still don't understand the dropping anchor part. . . What does that do for them? IMO as soon as they realized the weather had turned they should have been up on the step heading back in. 20/20