I've been thinking alot about what can happen offshore, miles away from any help whatsoever and how I would act when something like what happened on Mike's boat happened on Saturday. Who would I call on the radio, how quickly could the Coast Guard arrive verses how quickly could I get back to shore, did I have all the equipment onboard I should have. Many things go through your mind...and after the day is done you can only ask youself ...What would or could I have done differntly in that situation. If I can think of no other action I could have taken then I would have to tell myself I did all within my power to provide the best chance of survival. It is human nature to question yourself after a disaster and try and find the one thing that could have been done to prevent said disaster. 99 out of 100 times there is nothing that could have been done to prevent the event.

Having rambled on...If you read this Mike and crew I want to you know that based on what I've personally been told, you did absolutely EVERYTHING that could have been done to revive Jack and if you have answered your question "what could I have done differently" with nothing....then you should not blame yourself in any way whatsoever. When God wants you, he takes you....you don't know when or why.......God bless Jack and his family and God Bless MIke and his crew for doing all they could to revive Jack.

Buddy has posted the information on the services for Jack and Tony has posted the link to the account to support Sue in her time of need. Let's all do whatever we can to say farewell to a fellow fisherman, Husband and all around great guy..Jack Sherrill.....Rest in Peace

...hope what I typed made sense....bottom line..don't blame yourself for what happened...you did all you could....

...Bob

Amen Bob......Amen....

bottom line..don't blame yourself for what happened...you did all you could....
You guys have my support and are in my prayers!!!
when its time its nothing none of us can do
the man up stairs is the only one that could

will said Bob

You could have a heart attack inside a hospital and there is still no guarantee you will survive. Well said Bob.

Well said Bob, and Keith is right on. From personal experience in over 50 hospital "Codes", when it is your time to be called up, that's it. Doing what you love and being surrounded by friends who will do all they can for you when you are called says it all. I hope Mike and Crew also find comfort that we are thinking about what they went through also and send our thoughts and prayers for them also.
Dave

Yeah...Mike(conch27) and Tom need our support right now too! Noboby can begin to imagine what these guys are going through. To have a wonderful day of fishing end in tragedy before you, can't be contemplated. Mike and Tom have lots of time on the water and did everything in their power to help Jack...now we need to help them.

You guys have my support and are in my prayers!!!

Bob

That was well said and written. Tom and Mike both need our support in a time of need Dee and I are here if there is anything we can do for you two. Please let us know. It is a tragedy to lose someone and we are here to help.

Mark Carstens

Bob, well said. I was thinking the same thing. When Mike first came on the radio for help he sounded very confused. Once he collected himself, he started to pull it together. As he came by us, we pulled in behind him to make sure he got in OK. He handled the boat (running at 33+ MPH in rough conditions) and talking to the CG well from what we could see and hear. He kept pleading with the CG for airlift with little results. He made the run all the way back to with in 4-5 miles off the inlet before the CG caught up with him. Then he had to run the inlet and get to the CG dock before he had any chance for medical help. I would say he did everything he could do and then some. I am wondering if I could have handled the situation as well.

I don't know the whole story and maybe I shouldn't say anything but it really disturbs me that a medical CG helicopter was not dispatched the instant the medical emergency was broadcast over 16. If this situation does not generate a response, then our system is broke. They are suppose to send a plane or helicopter for a hot EPIRB but not this. WFT over.

It is deeply disturbing as to why a CG helicopter wasn't dispatched. Do they not have one in the vicinity? It wasn't like they were out in a hurricane. And it might not have made a difference, but now no one will ever know. And as Fish Dad states, I don't know the whole story either.

As far as doing all you can do, I'm sure the guys on the boat did what they thought was the right thing to do. It is certainly not a common occurence one would plan for.

I think the chopper and main station is in Buxton, the boats and everything else are in Hatteras. I'm not sure where the planes would come from, I don't think the Frisco airport is large enough to handle them.

Those chopper boys run a lot of calls. There's no telling where the closest air asset was, their available fuel and what they were involved in. Either way, the Coasties have to get the benefit of the doubt here. I'm sure if there was any way possible for them to be there, they would have. I didn't even know the CG had a helicopter on Hatteras Island. I thought all air assets were deployed from the airbase at Elizabeth City. Shows how old my info is.
In my humble opinion Mike and crew did an excellent job under extreme duress. Even if the CG is sending an air or water asset, shortening the distance to the nearest medical help is usually a good idea. In the event of a medical emergency, Plan A is usually evac by CG air asset. Plan B is evac by CG waterborn asset. Mike was down to plan C, which is point your bow toward land and give it all the throttle she'll handle. Good job guys!