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Fiddlers Green

kenk

Ken Kurlychek
We just learned of the drowning of a fellow Morgan owner who fell overboard on the way to Isla Mujeres, Mexico from Key West, FL. Although he was tethered to the boat, his wife could not get him onboard quickly enough. We met them briefly in Marathon FL-very nice couple. Raise a glass in remembrance. There but for the grace of God...
 
Yes, "Hootonholler" is a Morgan 382 and I believe that it is still out in the Straits of Florida. I heard that the coast guard did not bring her in nor did they scuttle her.
 
We were on our way back from the Dry Tortugas on Monday to Marquesas. Seas were rough. We heard the Pan Pan calls and heard it play out on the vhf. Did not know it was a fellow Morganeer. Prayers for his wife and family. Raising a drink in his honor tonight.
 
I feel so sorry for her. she was unable to save her own husband. ! You know she tried with all her will.
We are all guilty of not doing enough training for man overboard and teaching every crew member to be in charge of the boat.
My prayers are with her and her family .
 
Not sure about his age, but we left Dry Tortugas about 7pm the night before and due to large tacks were not very far away when the Pan Pan's started, about 50 miles apart. Weather was clear skies, winds about 15-20 kts, but seas were 4-6 ft range and quick. NWS said 8 seconds, but I say more like 4-6 seconds.
 
Randy Hooton was 63. The boat has been recovered and is, or will soon be, up for sale. Amy, my wife, has been in touch with his widow and learned that he had gone forward to change the headsail because it was tearing. (He was tethered.) He went overboard and Carla, his wife, was able to get a hoist to him which he attached to his harness but she did not have the strength to pull him up. She had been suffering from seasickness which probably weakened her. She called for assistance but the Coast Guard did not arrive in time. There was an autopsy but Carla didn't get the results as of the last correspondence Amy had with her.
 
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