SAR Files Maintaining Perspective...

June-July 1998

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

by Lee Dixon

In Barkley Sound, British Columbia, lies a cluster of islands of such stunning beauty that the wilderness marks your soul. This collection of 100 islands and islets is known as the Broken Group, and the waters that surround them are known as the Graveyard of the Pacific. That epitaph should give you some idea of the swells and strong winds that this area is subject to.

On July 15, 1997 a group of kayakers from the United States were camping on Clarke Island. One of their number opted to do some late afternoon fishing. Perhaps the beauty of the area lulled him into complacency. Staying in local waters seemed a reasonable precaution. (Who gets lost walking around the block?) And so, our gallant fisherman, with no knowledge of the local area, no chart, no radio and no lifejacket set off.

I don't know what actually transpired with our lone fisherman. My guess is that while he was anticipating the big nibble he drifted away or followed his curiosity out of sight. When he attempted to retrace his route he only succeeded in becoming more disoriented.

Meanwhile back at camp where, the expected salmon dinner had not arrived, his friends were anxious. The sea state was changing, becoming windy and choppy. The fisherman was not prepared for a night away, with only a whistle, compass, water, fishing pole and ski jacket. His last known position was at 4:00 PM just off Owen Island.

The assistance of the park ranger was sought out and a search of the local area initiated. The search came up empty. At 7:03 PM the Rescue Control Center (RCC) was contacted via cell phone. Searching began in earnest.

A total of 5 vessels and one helicopter were tasked for the mission. Marine radio broadcasts were made to notify crafts in the area of the missing kayaker.

Each vessel involved in the search was assigned a specific area centered around the last known position of the missing kayaker. (Having the information of a last known position is vital for giving a starting point to a search, otherwise valuable time can be lost in covering an excessively large area.)

Forty-five minutes later he was found disoriented but safe. His location was north of Owen and east of Lovett Island, well out of sight of Clarke Island. Coast Guard returned him to his relieved friends back at the campsite.

Searches take time and amassing vessels to participate in a search is also time consuming. Of the vessels tasked for this search, one was still proceeding to its search position when the kayaker was rescued. The helicopter, although tasked, had an estimated time of arrival of 1.5 hours as it required refueling and maintainence. As a result it never even left the ground.

It is important to note that Search and Rescue resources are stretched to cover an enormous area, and once a helicopter is dispatched out on a search it is unavailable for any other emergencies. Nor are communications constant. In this particular scenario RCC had to relay messages to Bamfield Station lifeboat and the Tofino Park warden via marine radio since they couldn't contact either party directly.

The cost of this rescue was over $20,000, absorbed by the Canadian taxpayer. But there is something new in the law books. An outfitter can be billed for the cost of a rescue if one of their party require SAR services in a provincial park. To date this law has not been implemented. Instead, to help recover the cost of SAR, a portion of user fees at most provincial parks is now used for insurance.

...In a changing world

Remember: the coast is not static. It is a fluid, dynamic, ever-changing world. A short two-hour paddle in no way resembles a walk around the block. As land creatures we are familiar with moving over the land. We are in control, initiating changes in our position. On the water we are subject to drift. We have the illusion of being stationary, yet the earth and water are moving under our kayak. We are no longer in control. Nature initiates the changes in our position, not us. Constant awareness of one's approximate position is vital to navigating.

Drift can be estimated by noting how objects on shore move relative to one another. Pick two non-moving markers such as two tall trees, one in front of the other. Note how fast and in what direction they "go out of alignment" in respect to each other.

This drift can distort your initial perspective dramatically. Shifting landmarks sometimes make it appear that you are looking at a different beach or different part of the coastline. And as you drift, the tide changes. With each rise and fall, beaches, landmarks, and islets disappear and reappear. Navigating by natural landmarks may prove more difficult than you think.

Current direction can be observed by the flow of seaweed. Anchored seaweed such as kelp will stream in the direction of the current, and the amount of stress it is under gives you an indication of the strength of the current. (Note: To remain stationary while trying to figure out where you are you can try holding on to a piece of well anchored seaweed, but watch your stability!)

Wind direction and speed are other variables that affect the direction of your drift. Current and drift can differ in speed and direction depending on the wind. That little protected bay that you were camped in may seem quite calm. Beyond that protection the wind can pick up, blowing you offshore. The seas can become rougher and returning may become increasingly difficult. Paddling against a strong wind will at best maintain your position until you are too exhausted to paddle anymore. Then, exhausted, you can get blown out to sea and into worse conditions.

Venerable paddler John Dowd states that an 11 to 16 knot wind is the comfortable limit for a novice kayaker. With 11 to 16 knots of wind you can expect white caps and elongated small waves.

This isn't meant to frighten you. On the contrary, don't be afraid to explore, but be prepared. The sign of an experienced outdoorsperson is one who's able to anticipate possibilities and is prepared for them.

To improve your preparedness

1. Read about other people's adventures and misadventures. There is a wealth of information out there.
2. Take a short course in kayak navigation. These are available through clubs and some outfitters. Rick Davies offers an excellent 2-day course. He can be contacted at 604/519-0477.
3. Carry food and water with you.
4. Always, always, always wear a life jacket.
5. Paddle with a chart, and know how to read it.
6. Carry a compass and know how to use it.
7. Carry an emergency bag along with a first aid kit.
8. File a float plan.

An Emergency Bag

Having a pre-packed emergency bag increases the likelihood of always having it with you when you need it. We never plan on getting into trouble, but it happens. The following can be compressed into a small dry bag, and be ready to be thrown into your kayak whenever you're going out. This list is not exhaustive but it's one that I've found works for me:

· Magnesium stick (starting fires in adverse conditions) · Knife · Emergency blanket (the compact foil kind) · A roll of duct tape (201 uses) · Water · Food bars · Compression dressing · Candle · Flashlight · Dry kindling in a plastic baggy (moss, wood shavings) · Matches/lighter · Small mirror (non-glass, the type used in lockers) · Light weight tarp/poncho · Spare glasses, if you wear them.

Lee is co-owner of Windrunner Ocean Adventures
Box 2575 Sidney, B.C. V8L 4C1. Ph: 250/216-2628
WWW - windrunner.bc.ca/~sailing