Captain lost when power cat capsizes

GK
Georgs Kolesnikovs
Fri, May 19, 2006 1:46 PM

From Associated Press:

MURRELLS INLET, S.C. - Six people were rescued Thursday and
authorities continued looking for a seventh after a fishing boat
capsized about 15 miles off the South Carolina coast.

Five of the people were found clinging to the overturned vessel about
11:30 a.m. while a sixth person was found about an hour earlier
clinging to a life jacket, said Capt. John Cameron, commander of
Coast Guard Sector Charleston.

Robert Clarke of Murrells Inlet, the boat's 75-year-old captain,
remained missing Thursday night, Cameron said. Three Coast Guard
helicopters, two boats and a plane were searching for Clarke.

The 26-foot chartered fishing vessel, a catamaran dubbed The Super
Suds II, capsized Wednesday evening and was reported overdue around 8
p.m. The boat had been docked at Marlin Quay Marina in Garden City
and left on the excursion Wednesday morning.

Cameron said the boaters told officials none of them thought he was
in danger as they returned from their fishing trip. As the vessel was
coming into shore, however, the seas began to beat at its side.

"The boat capsized, and all seven individuals reported they were able
to clamor up on the hull of the vessel," Cameron said.

He said an investigation into the cause is continuing.

"At the moment, we don't have a cause. The weather last night was 3-
to 4-foot seas with 15 to 20 mile-per-hour winds, which should not
have been an imminently dangerous condition for the vessel, but not
necessarily a comfortable ride on a vessel that size," Cameron said.

Local newspaper report:

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/14616749.htm

Super Suds II is a Glacier Bay centre console:

http://www.marlinquay.com/charter.cfm?boatId=3

I've been in contact with Coast Guard Charleston to obtain the
results of the investigation when it has been completed, so,
hopefully, we will be able to learn from this tragic accident.

--Georgs

Georgs Kolesnikovs
Power Catamaran World
http://www.powercatamaranworld.com

From Associated Press: MURRELLS INLET, S.C. - Six people were rescued Thursday and authorities continued looking for a seventh after a fishing boat capsized about 15 miles off the South Carolina coast. Five of the people were found clinging to the overturned vessel about 11:30 a.m. while a sixth person was found about an hour earlier clinging to a life jacket, said Capt. John Cameron, commander of Coast Guard Sector Charleston. Robert Clarke of Murrells Inlet, the boat's 75-year-old captain, remained missing Thursday night, Cameron said. Three Coast Guard helicopters, two boats and a plane were searching for Clarke. The 26-foot chartered fishing vessel, a catamaran dubbed The Super Suds II, capsized Wednesday evening and was reported overdue around 8 p.m. The boat had been docked at Marlin Quay Marina in Garden City and left on the excursion Wednesday morning. Cameron said the boaters told officials none of them thought he was in danger as they returned from their fishing trip. As the vessel was coming into shore, however, the seas began to beat at its side. "The boat capsized, and all seven individuals reported they were able to clamor up on the hull of the vessel," Cameron said. He said an investigation into the cause is continuing. "At the moment, we don't have a cause. The weather last night was 3- to 4-foot seas with 15 to 20 mile-per-hour winds, which should not have been an imminently dangerous condition for the vessel, but not necessarily a comfortable ride on a vessel that size," Cameron said. Local newspaper report: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/14616749.htm Super Suds II is a Glacier Bay centre console: http://www.marlinquay.com/charter.cfm?boatId=3 I've been in contact with Coast Guard Charleston to obtain the results of the investigation when it has been completed, so, hopefully, we will be able to learn from this tragic accident. --Georgs -- Georgs Kolesnikovs Power Catamaran World http://www.powercatamaranworld.com