I just found out about this. Wasn’t sure where to post, so mods please move to appropriate forum, if needed. Very sad.
Two guys, a girl and a 7-year old. Luckily the kid had on a life jacket.
Very old boat, stripped, rebuilt, reconfigured and repowered. Took on some water (don’t know how) then took on more and sank.
Not good. Cold water is dangerous.
Thanks for the update. I didn’t know the details.
I’m not judging, but no way am I fishing in those conditions. Let alone, bringing a 7 year old, and a young woman, in an old decrepit boat.
Prayers for the families, and everyone involved.
I was on BCSD recovery team for a few months. After the first recovery I lost my nerve. Still have nightmares.
I was there when Bill got his arm ripped off at Short Stay. But, that’s another topic.
The conditions on any lake can easily be managed by where you fish. It’s not like the ocean. Plenty of boats fished that day with no problem. I don’t know what the conditions were like where they were fishing.
The boat was old but had been completely rebuilt. Don’t know if that had anything to do with what happened.
The girl was experienced, that’s not an issue. The issue is none had on life jackets except the kid.
Just trying to keep the facts straight.
I agree. From the reports I saw the water temps were in the 40’s, with high winds.
It should have been mandatory to have life jackets on. Again, not judging.
Very sorry for all involved.
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You know the paramedic I worked with for a decade… he’s told me just a glimpse of the stuff he’s seen and smelled, most new guys have the same reaction as you… he says the worse is when it’s a child. I cannot imagine. Definitely takes a special breed, thank God for them too. 
Aren’t lifejackets mandatory on some of those tournaments? Still sucks no matter what. Hate to hear about these sort of things. Not easy to deal with I’m sure
Another article desribed it as a “private” tournament, whatever that means. Maybe like what we do?
Most of the larger Striper, and Largemouth, tournaments (excluding club tournaments) on Hartwell require wearing a PFD, while underway.
To the best of my knowledge, Striped Bass Challenge is not a “private tournament”.
I’ve seen the winner Dq’d a few times for failing that question on a lie detector test.