Kayakers die on Lake Superior

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/ka...e-children-killed-mother-survives-2018-09-03/How many have read about this story? I boat in this area often and almost can’t believe a family of 5 would go out on Lake Superior on a 2 person kayak. It’s just a terrible tragedy they had absolutely no idea what that they were doing.

Maggieiscrazy said:

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/ka...e-children-killed-mother-survives-2018-09-03/How many have read about this story? I boat in this area often and almost can’t believe a family of 5 would go out on Lake Superior on a 2 person kayak. It’s just a terrible tragedy they had absolutely no idea what that they were doing.

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Terrible thing. They had a cellphone along so probably felt safe.

Woody said:

Terrible thing. They had a cellphone along so probably felt safe.

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Ya but that area has almost no cell phone service. A cheap handheld vhf would have probably saved their lives.

Maggieiscrazy said:

Ya but that area has almost no cell phone service. A cheap handheld vhf would have probably saved their lives.

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I was just being sarcastic. I agree on the handheld vhf, they'd have probably all been back on land in less than an hour.

If it was one of those sit on top kayaks, they are extremely unstable. They would have been much better off in a small dinghy than a tippy kayak. Such a sad story.

Dummies will be dummies. sad.

Unreal the level of risk there...

MM

I was in the area last weekend. Sad deal. Michigan Island is no small jaunt from Madeline Island & if there's a South wind, your exposed. I don't begrudge kayakers, however it seems some common sense is lacking in the Apostle Island area because it's popularity has grown to explore the Sea Caves. People come around from all over. Many of whom are either inexperienced, not familiar with the area or both.

Just last Saturday we found kayakers on Eagle Island, which is a bird sanctuary & IIRC you are not allowed to be on that island. I also hear emergency calls on the radio when weather picks up all the time up there. To top it all off, they are difficult to spot when not in groups and crossing large channels. For viewing purposes, I've always wished Kayakers crossing channels to get to islands, should be required to have a flag on a whip, similar to ATV's in the dunes, so others can see them above the swells.

Woody said:

I was just being sarcastic. I agree on the handheld vhf, they'd have probably all been back on land in less than an hour.

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Indeed. About 5 years ago, I was caught in some nasty weather which picked up around the Sand Island cut. I'm surprised I didn't hit bottom. As I'm trying to negotiate confused 4'-6' seas, with an occasional 8', with my family on board, the VHF goes off, and what do you know, It's a kayaker stuck around Raspberry Island. The Coasties where asking local boaters for support. There was nothing I could do as I had my family aboard & a 30 minute trip turned into 3 hours. I assumed they were picked up.

My mistake, I ignored the small craft warning earlier that day because the lake was 'glass'. I believe some of those kayakers either ignore the wind & weather or plain'ol just don't check it. Especially those that have a weekend set to do that activity over the Summer & are not familiar with the area.