Capsized In Icy Water

[David Ortley]

Last Sunday after a full day of goose hunting on an icy river I watched my 18 year old son and the 25 year old passenger in his small Jon boat take on water and eventually capsize as we headed to the boat ramp. I was in another boat forty yards ahead of them with the other man's dad. The river is about fifty feet deep where they went in and the water temperature was around forty degrees. Fortunatley we were able to get the guys on our boat quickly, salvage the floating gear, and get to shore so we could turn the boat back over. We only lost a shotgun and a push pole. The episode taught some valuable lessons that I feel compelled to pass on. If one person who reads this someday has to deal with this situation I hope it helps.

What we did right: We were traveling close to each other and relatively close to the shore line. It was dusk and I insisted that we maintain visual contact. When we saw the situation unfold we were able to get out hands on these guys within a few minutes. Being close to shore allowed us to get them to shore, haul the capsized boat to shallow water, and salavge the floating gear before I ran the guys to the boat ramp to warm up. One of the guys had on wool pants but had a change of clothes in the truck. My son had on a pair of Cabelas Super Mag waders and did not take on water! He was able to stay upright and along the boat until we got to them. We had five dozen goose decoys with us. The floaters were in single slot bags and became instant life jackets.

What we did wrong: The smaller boat was overloaded and the load was not balanced. With too much weight up front the bow was able to strike a wave and take on water. The guys understandably panicked-as they took on water they both baled out of the boat on the same side and it flipped. They had life jackets but one was not wearing his! On the gear side the lost gun was in a gun case that was not a floating case. Everything in the Avery floating blind bag survived, including a brand new digital camera.

Lessons learned: Travel close together so that you can help each other out in the event of a problem. Before pusing off look at the boat and how it is loaded and sitting in the water. Know what the weight limitations are and get an idea of how close you are before you are treading water. Travel as close to shore as possible. Wear the life jacket!! When hunting with others insist that your partners wear theirs. Travel in the wake of the boat ahead and not off to the side. It was a wake from my boat that caused the initial problem. If you take on water do not jump out. The boat will not sink any lower than the gunwales if it is a "modern" boat with flotation. Don't worry about the "stuff." My son was most concerned about his calls in the blind bag not his life. We can replace gear but not family and friends. Have a spare set of clothes stashed in the truck just in case you end up dealing with the unexpected. Stay calm- we had a huge problem to deal with and we did it without any yelling or panic.

Two final thoughts-invest in an Avery Floating Blind Bag and a Floating Gun Case and close them before leaving!! We were back on the water two days later just as enthusiastic and a lot smarter!

[Shane Burrup]

Great info for us all. I am glad that it all worked out ok. Sorry about the lost gear, but at least everyone was safe.

[OutForBlood87]

Thats good that nobody got hurt, and I have developed a new catch phrase

New Phrase: Avery, killin geese and savin lives.

[Kile Jones]

I am glad everyone is alright and safe! Thanks for your post, I learned a lot of things to avoid!

[hardcore dekem]

Thanks for the informative post. That sucks about the shotgun but, like you said you came out with the most important things and that was the lives of your son and friend!
Kelcey

[Mark Brendemuehl]

David- Thank God they came out ok. Any luck yet with the evidence recovery team finding the gun?
Mark

[David Ortley]

Since my original post our local volunteer dive team, which is a component of the Sheriff's Department, made five training dives utilizing techniques used for recovering evidence in criminal cases. As you will recall, the water was fifty feet deep and 35 degrees. Because of the temperature dives were limited to thirty minutes. Diving was supended for two week when the river froze shut. After several attempts, and methodical searching, Rich Schuster and Sam Fussell found the shotgun at the end of a thirty minute dive. The Avery push pole remains at the bottom and will eventually be found and brought up.

The gun was under for just over a month. It had some light surface rust on worn exposed metal. After complete stripping and treatment with Break Free it shows no effects whatsoever.

My thanks to Rich Schuster, Robert Hanson, and Sam Fussell for their commitment and dedication to their sport and their service to our community!


Rich brings it to the surface


Dive buddies

[Double B]

I had almost the same situation happen to me and two other buddies this year. Our boat overturned the day after thanksgiving on a local lake and we were on top of the boat at about 7:30 am yelling for yelp! Lost two guns, two blind bags and a mr. buddy heater, but recovered all except my blind bag. Thank god everyone is ok, thats all that matters in my eyes. Guns, and other items can be replaced after situations like that. Surely opened my eyes, and showed me not to take anything for granted. Everytime I step foot in a boat from now on I'm wearin a life jacket!!

Here is a link for the story and video if any of ya want to watch. I'm not in the story because in the whole incident my phone got wet and they were not able to get ahold of me. So these are my two buddies.

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S265994.shtml

[David Ortley]

Double D

I grew up hunting in Mankato and know the lake you were on. Quite a story! That life jacket is a pain but it may be the verythnig that saves you. Having watched my son go down I know I will always have mine on.

[Allen Riggs]

Makes you think about the way you approach water in the winter. Thanks.