[Fr. Frank]

Originally Posted by Terry England

People have made the Fort Pierce to Bimini run in 13' Whalers, when the conditions are right. Others have broached 40 footers in the same inlet - it's all about the sea conditions with some boat handling skills mixed in. Some days a Gheenoe is too big and some days an aircraft carrier ain't big enough!

Having made the trip from Lake Worth to West End in a 13' Whaler several times, I know it can be done. Like denny, I've also made the trip in a 20' Seacraft many times. But I never made the trip in a small boat except in the company of other boats, and never without filing a float plan after carefully checking the weather.

I confess I don't understand the desire to not have private boaters looking. When I inquired if Civil Air Patrol was looking, I was told we were, but only up to a few miles offshore. (On the other hand, I was informed on the QT that at least two aircrew teams composed of CAP-trained personnel are looking further offshore [up to 50 miles] in a personal aircraft so as to avoid the governmental restrictions)

Remember that the Civil Air Patrol, which is the US Air Force Auxiliary, performs over 80% of all airborne SAR operations nationwide. But CAP rarely searches offshore, and is limited to searching only within power-off gliding distance of shore by rule, except in special circumstances, when requested by the USCG.

One statement I heard about Homeland Security limiting private searchers because they worried bad guys might use the confusion to sneak in struck me as profoundly callous if true.