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News says they are still looking for a 51-yo man who "became separated from his boat" on Willard over the weekend.
No name given. Hope it wasn't a BFT regular.
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Sad news, just another reason to wear your life jacket all the time.
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From Channel 4 News:
According to a press release from the Utah Division of State Parks, Robert Mittendorf, who is from Weber County, was swimming with his son near their boat when a sudden storm came through the area. The two were reportedly separated from their boat, but Mittendorf’s son managed to swim back and tried to grab a life jacket for his father.
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The usual scenario is a guy boating alone tries to pee over the side when a wave comes from behind and dumps him overboard.
I carry a small plastic bucket on a cord. Pee in the bucket, then hold the cord to rinse it over the side. No precarious balancing on the gunwale. In a pinch, I could even do a #2 in it. And I wear an inflatable PFD from dock to dock.
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I grew up surfing, playing water polo and competing swimming. However, whenever I’m on an open body of water I have my life jacket on. Not saying this to rub salt in a wound. Thoughts are with the family.
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Willard can get quite rough in hurry, I've been caught out up there a couple of times. Several years ago a storm blew up so bad I had spray up over my bimini. I saw a small boat heading back toward the south marina with two people aboard into the 2-3' wind waves. I knew they were going to get pretty soaked, but didn't realize the danger they were in.
When I got back to the north marina a couple of Parks guy were about to launch their boat. They said a small boat had capsized and two people were in the water. I found out later that the two were a grandad and his grandson. I remember that the grandson had his cell phone in a plastic zip lock, so was able to dial 911. I shudder to think how narrow their escape was.
Single main, no kicker.
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Guess they found him today.