Via The Hull Truth:
This was my boat. We were fishing during some rough weather about 15 nm from SW pass. After catching some bait- nice size blue runners we ended up fishing around a very visible large couldn't miss it oil platform. It was about noon-clear skies and windy.
We were about 1/4 mile from the rig when a nice tuna hit. That one got off, but another one skied on another bait shortly thereafter. This fish was a nice sized tuna. Battle lasted for about twenty minutes. Just as the leader appeared one last time the boat hit the rig. The captain got tunnel vision and underestimated the speed the wind/waves were pushing us towards the rig. He had his eyes on the cockpit. He wanted this fish. He backed away from the rig.
Initially it appear that the damage was superficial on the bow rail and rub rail. I went inside and noticed water rushing onto the forward V berth bed. Capt called coast guard to notify of situation. High water alarms started to sound. Crew tried to keep the water at bay, but each large wave dumped hundreds of gallons into the boat. Capt instructed me to keep boat on plane while he turned the crash pumps on. Motors overheated and went into limited rpm mode after presumably evacuating all water from ER. Boat came off plane, and flooded with water from the bow damage. The water came in too fast and boat never recovered. we were screwed.
Crew scrambled to get some personal belongings (wallets). Water was chest deep in what used to be the companionway. Only three out of five were successful. it wasn't safe to remain in the cabin.
Capt deployed the life raft and we got in. Boat went down as you see in the picture in all of about 10 minutes. Fortunately the vessel "Blazing Sevens" was in the area and scoop us up with the assistance of a tender from a large tanker. The capt of "Blazing Sevens", his son, and crew were unbelievably helpful. I will never forget their assistance- offshore and onshore.
I was hoping this incident didn't make on to this forum. Some of the comments are interesting. I actually posted in the Gulf Coast section the night before the accident asking where we could get some mullet. Got some good answers but unfortunately we won't be able to put them to use. There was no booze involved. The name has nothing to do with drinking/booze. We weren't cruising on autopilot. The captain wanted that fish in the boat, and lost track of the surroundings.
My captain is in a tough position. He is a great guy- honest and hardworking. Very capable and having safely navigated this boat well over a thousand miles in the last two months. Tough.
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