texrford

CaptnC Check page 58 on the second thread, titled Missing Boater's Found, on 2Cool. Curt and James, two of the missing boaters, posted a very brief thank you message under the user name Rebecca81. Based on their message, it sounds like they replaced a bilge pump on the boat recently, and they think its failure caused their boat to flood. I suppose the 2Coolers are trying to bring out the lessons to be learned, so others can avoid situations like this in the future. I was impressed they were there when it counted, when the three men were lost at sea. Anyway, I am just glad another tragedy in the gulf was avoided, and all are safe and sound.

The Houston Chronicle did a good article on the story, just in case you may have not seen it: Coast Guard looks for lessons in Matagorda miracle As these men do not play college or NFL Football, I am not sure they will get the media pursuit the tragedy off Florida's Gulf coast received, even though their story may be as dramatic. I have not checked 2CoolFishing, which mainly covers Texas fishing. As the folks on that forum raised money and organized search efforts, maybe the 3 men will have some comments on that forum

Offshore in the western Gulf, the direction of currents impacting a boat's drift can vary depending on location. In one spot, the boat may be drifting east; move 20 miles to the west and the drift direction may move the boat south. The Coast Guard calculated the drift of the boat based on it being at a specific oil platform (Tequila I think) while the boat capsized at another location called Hilltops. By doing this, the drift of the capsized boat was off, impacting the location of the search grid. Also, the boat was not reported missing until 24 hours after it capsized. The CG dropped current measuring buoys 24 or more hours after the fact. That could have thrown things off, also. To me, it sounds like the CG did the best they could with the information they had at hand at the time. They did indicate they were going to review the situation. The solution to all of this: make everybody's life easier, carry an EPIRB. In any case, I was overjoyed to see a happy ending!

With the pumps mounted inside the sea chest, they tend to remain primed most of the time and run cooler. This leads to longer pump life. In other threads on this subject, I have also read: One has greater flexibility in the types of pumps that can be used - not just live well pumps can be used. One thing I never thought of is a burp or pressure equalizer valve is needed on the well.