Coast Guard Suspended Search

[Flukemeister1]

Unfortunately the window to find and recover someone is very small. The cold weather and water conditions only make it tougher and in very cold water like we have now a person does not stay afloat for very long. Searching 45 miles out is no easy task for anyone. The statistics are fairly straight forward in that once you are out beyond 11 miles you may as well be out 1100 miles because there is so much area to look at. Even in absolute ideal search conditions i.e. flat seas, good visibility, timely reporting of the accident, your chances of finding the person is only 78%. It's sad to say the least. Wearing your PFD will greatly increase your chances of survival in a MOB situation. I have heard all the arguments too, "oh I swim great". You can't swim at all if you hit your head and are knocked out. When dunked in cold water you can't swim at first because your diaphragm goes into an uncontrollable spasm that will cause you to inhale water. It's tough out there and sadly accidents do happen.