Missing kayaker in Mission Bay.. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

walrus · 04-30-2010, 01:11 PM

BIGBARROWS BALLADfficeffice" />>>
He heard a mermaid whisper “come with me, I can tell you love the sea”.
He said, “I love my wife and she loves me, you and I can never be”.
>>
With a sudden splash his kayak sank, he felt a tug on his leg and then a yank.
He kicked free and was afloat , He looked around for a boat.
Two boats were near, but when he yelled for them they did not hear.
The boats were soon out of sight, and he wondered if this is where he’d spend the night.
>>
He heard a sound, it was out to sea, what he heard was a shout of glee.
He saw a skiff with a rod bent, and knew he could get there before they went.
With a determined stroke he swam toward the small bobbing boat.
Getting near the paddle he waved, and moments later he was saved.
>>
So when you fish, remember what those who love you wish.
They want you to come back, and be prepared for emergencies on your yak.
And always remember to put your fingers in your ears, if you should hear a mermaid whisper
“Come with me, I can tell you love the sea”.
>>
Thanks for sharing your story and inspiring me to:>>
Attach a vhf radio to my PFD.
Attach a whistle to my PFD.
Secure a bilge pump within reach.
Attach a strobe to my PFD.
Always WEAR my PFD.

bigbarrels · 04-30-2010, 03:50 PM

So just got from picking up my kayak and here are some photos. Crazy stuff! The kayak ended up in front of the Lifeguard Headquarters in Mission Bay yesterday morning around 1030......I thought it was a new home on the bottom for some sort of critter being that it went vertical and disappeared like a scene out of Titanic (without the people flying buy, muscians, or romance) Everything on the deck was pretty much removed except one pole holder and, the seat, FF mount, GPS transponder, compass, and the leash for paddle. I also got back my bait tank, sump pump, billy club, and VHF radio (doesn't work) that was tangled up in wires of kayak.....the kayak has some new stick marks on it and the only hole is in the back where the rudder was torn out......I lost my center hatch lid which tells me when I flipped that wasn't locked down and secured (i think I turned one or two latches), which then allowed the water to fill rapidly and finish the job....so then my VHF radio was sucked into the kayak (no wonder I didn't see it) and got tangled with the wires....

I secured the front hatch after opening it and didn't secure the middle before it flipped.....probably better that way in my case due to the fact I would have clinged to a kayak drifting south and would have moved out of the fishing grounds.....but who knows.....Anyhow, I think this experience has served as a good learning tool for myself and the kayak community here on BWE and I hope everyone is prepared and aware that stuff can happen quick. Also, if you sink a kayak it should be reported to the Lifeguards or Coast Guard so if it shows up there isn't a search party out trying to find a fisherman that doesn't exist (my wife and I talked about it).....another lesson learned

Tom

Gino · 04-30-2010, 04:16 PM

absolutely freaking amazing...

Aaron · 04-30-2010, 04:41 PM

this is like a soap opera. Did you spot anything that could explain the water you were taking on prior to it going down? I know it would be tough to tell with the "post-burial" damage...

bigbarrels · 04-30-2010, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sapdawg711

this is like a soap opera. Did you spot anything that could explain the water you were taking on prior to it going down? I know it would be tough to tell with the "post-burial" damage...

had to be the bait tank. The scuppers and hull are intact

Lets_Fish · 04-30-2010, 05:48 PM

This story is just EPIC. The most important thing here is that you survived and did not drown. You also make some important points in regards to if you yak goes adrift or sinks, let the CG or Life Guards know where and when and describe the yak as best as possible.

Now its rebuilding time and then off to

some

!

Dennis · 04-30-2010, 06:07 PM

.. Good points on notifying the CG and Lifeguards about sinking your kayak. I agree.. Outfit another one, and get back out there.

Caffeind · 05-02-2010, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbarrels

had to be the bait tank. The scuppers and hull are intact

I've been curious about those tanks and how well they seal to prevent that. Is that by design or did the seal just fail?

Glad to hear this one turned out with a happy(er) ending than the media portrayed.

Jimmyz123 · 04-30-2010, 07:06 PM

That is amazing, WOW!

GregAndrew · 04-30-2010, 07:29 PM

Just talked to a Coast Guard boat today, and they handed me a sticker that you affix to your yak so that they know who to contact in case they find it adrift. You write your Cell, Phone, and Name on it in waterproof marker.

Willy · 04-30-2010, 09:46 PM

Simply amazing.

So glad both you and your kayak have been recovered.

This really shows, the ocean is something so incredible, and beyond our full understanding.

Shocker the news media has fully botched the story. Never trust what you read in the paper, or hear on the news.
They will always fill in the blanks in a story with their own fabricated nonsense.

Great story Bigbarrels.
You've go an amazing tale to tell.

Willy

lambadmin · 05-01-2010, 07:01 AM

Amazing...

That kayak is back for a reason. It must have soaked some karma drifting underneath the surface.

sandydiego · 05-02-2010, 07:08 AM

I think that the Malibu X-factor really is one tough kayak. I'll buy another one. Thanks for posting the photos. I hope Malibu steps up and helps you out. They may want to keep this U-boat.

04-30-2010, 03:50 PM	#2
bigbarrels Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vista Posts: 1,111	So just got from picking up my kayak and here are some photos. Crazy stuff! The kayak ended up in front of the Lifeguard Headquarters in Mission Bay yesterday morning around 1030......I thought it was a new home on the bottom for some sort of critter being that it went vertical and disappeared like a scene out of Titanic (without the people flying buy, muscians, or romance) Everything on the deck was pretty much removed except one pole holder and, the seat, FF mount, GPS transponder, compass, and the leash for paddle. I also got back my bait tank, sump pump, billy club, and VHF radio (doesn't work) that was tangled up in wires of kayak.....the kayak has some new stick marks on it and the only hole is in the back where the rudder was torn out......I lost my center hatch lid which tells me when I flipped that wasn't locked down and secured (i think I turned one or two latches), which then allowed the water to fill rapidly and finish the job....so then my VHF radio was sucked into the kayak (no wonder I didn't see it) and got tangled with the wires....I secured the front hatch after opening it and didn't secure the middle before it flipped.....probably better that way in my case due to the fact I would have clinged to a kayak drifting south and would have moved out of the fishing grounds.....but who knows.....Anyhow, I think this experience has served as a good learning tool for myself and the kayak community here on BWE and I hope everyone is prepared and aware that stuff can happen quick. Also, if you sink a kayak it should be reported to the Lifeguards or Coast Guard so if it shows up there isn't a search party out trying to find a fisherman that doesn't exist (my wife and I talked about it).....another lesson learned Tom Last edited by bigbarrels; 04-30-2010 at 04:22 PM.

04-30-2010, 06:07 PM	#7
Dennis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South of La Jolla... Posts: 1,193	.. Good points on notifying the CG and Lifeguards about sinking your kayak. I agree.. Outfit another one, and get back out there. __________________ Hmmmm.....

05-01-2010, 07:01 AM	#12
lambadmin Spam Sanitation Dept Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,377	Amazing... That kayak is back for a reason. It must have soaked some karma drifting underneath the surface. __________________

04-30-2010, 01:11 PM	#1
walrus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Baja fish camp Posts: 478	BIGBARROWS BALLADfficeffice" />>> He heard a mermaid whisper “come with me, I can tell you love the sea”. He said, “I love my wife and she loves me, you and I can never be”. >> With a sudden splash his kayak sank, he felt a tug on his leg and then a yank. He kicked free and was afloat , He looked around for a boat. Two boats were near, but when he yelled for them they did not hear. The boats were soon out of sight, and he wondered if this is where he’d spend the night. >> He heard a sound, it was out to sea, what he heard was a shout of glee. He saw a skiff with a rod bent, and knew he could get there before they went. With a determined stroke he swam toward the small bobbing boat. Getting near the paddle he waved, and moments later he was saved. >> So when you fish, remember what those who love you wish. They want you to come back, and be prepared for emergencies on your yak. And always remember to put your fingers in your ears, if you should hear a mermaid whisper “Come with me, I can tell you love the sea”. >> Thanks for sharing your story and inspiring me to:>> Attach a vhf radio to my PFD. Attach a whistle to my PFD. Secure a bilge pump within reach. Attach a strobe to my PFD. Always WEAR my PFD.

04-30-2010, 04:16 PM	#3
Gino Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 520	absolutely freaking amazing...

04-30-2010, 04:41 PM	#4
Aaron Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 175	this is like a soap opera. Did you spot anything that could explain the water you were taking on prior to it going down? I know it would be tough to tell with the "post-burial" damage...

04-30-2010, 05:48 PM	#6
Lets_Fish Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wildomar, CA. Posts: 294	This story is just EPIC. The most important thing here is that you survived and did not drown. You also make some important points in regards to if you yak goes adrift or sinks, let the CG or Life Guards know where and when and describe the yak as best as possible. Now its rebuilding time and then off to some !

04-30-2010, 07:06 PM	#9
Jimmyz123 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,385	That is amazing, WOW!

04-30-2010, 07:29 PM	#10
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Just talked to a Coast Guard boat today, and they handed me a sticker that you affix to your yak so that they know who to contact in case they find it adrift. You write your Cell, Phone, and Name on it in waterproof marker.

04-30-2010, 09:46 PM	#11
Willy Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: La Jolla Posts: 189	Simply amazing. So glad both you and your kayak have been recovered. This really shows, the ocean is something so incredible, and beyond our full understanding. Shocker the news media has fully botched the story. Never trust what you read in the paper, or hear on the news. They will always fill in the blanks in a story with their own fabricated nonsense. Great story Bigbarrels. You've go an amazing tale to tell. Willy

05-02-2010, 07:08 AM	#13
sandydiego Rum Pirate Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wilds of Mira Mesa Posts: 388	I think that the Malibu X-factor really is one tough kayak. I'll buy another one. Thanks for posting the photos. I hope Malibu steps up and helps you out. They may want to keep this U-boat.