Missing boater in Round Valley

[Fishinfire]

The search is currently underway for an individual that fell out of a boat. Multiple dive teams and a NJSP Helicopter enroute as well.

[waynedane]

That's not sounding good, hope they find him safe.

[hammer4reel]

wicked storms rolling through now, hope they successfully found him .

[waynedane]

Read it was a kayaker w/o life jacket. Hope it turns out ok.

[Eskimo]

.


Body recovered. No life vest. Man's ID will be disclosed soon.


.

[buzzbaiter]

I have just one thought. If your in a kayak - or canoe or tube whatever - why wouldn't you attach yourself to that kayak via a rope(aka safety line) like surfers do with their boards? God forbid you flip at least that kayak ain't getting away from you and you can either get back in it or use it as a raft. Seems so simple to do.

[buzzbaiter]

In all honesty, I can't remember the last time I saw someone here wearing a PFD in any photos.

Could only find this. Kudos to the parents but mom & dad u should be wearing one too!

http://www.njfishing.com/forums/atta...5&d=1405795239

[buzzbaiter]

There are six men whose bodies have never been recovered in the waters of the reservoir. Authorities scoured the lake with a submarine in 2006 but were not able to locate any of their remains.

Thats kind of creepy.

[jimmythegreek]

I wear a self inflatable when fishing alone in water below 55 degrees, all the time, fishing or running. When fishing with a partner(s) I dont, I hope they will save me lol. I can swim well, the real problem is while running especially in a fast boat, u can hit wood or wake+wind and flip, knocking you out or handicapping you, then u drown. U should always wear a self inflatable or lifejacket w the larnyard clipped to u while under motor power, they will at least float u face up and u can breathe even if unconcious.

[YotaTruck91]

Just a damn shame all around. We moved to Hunterdon six years ago and immediately started exploring the Valley on the water and in the hills surrounding it. One thing that irks me is the reputation it has as a "killer" as if some mysterious sea monster or whirlpool is swallowing people alive:

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/201...mystery_s.html

The Valley is not a "Bermuda Triangle," it's a large lake with a long fetch length which allows large waves to develop when the wind picks up. If you don't watch the weather carefully, and worse yet, aren't wearing a PFD, you could quickly find yourself in trouble, just as you could on any large body of water. The stories that the newspaper writes about the Valley talk about "mysterious weather" and storms that "pop out of nowhere" as if they only happen over the reservoir itself and not the entire county/central part of the state.

Not to belittle the tragedy or cause any disrespect to the loved ones of those lost, but the Valley never killed anyone, a lack of preparation and a disregard for basic boating safety did. I enjoy kayaking and canoeing myself, but I feel that some kayakers/canoers feel that boating safety is only for powered craft and paddling a canoe or kayak is like riding a bike or hiking through the woods. People piloting unpowered craft should ALWAYS be wearing a PFD and should quite frankly, need to be more aware of the weather. When a thunderstorm is moving in, powerboaters can haul butt to the launch/shore if need be a lot faster than a kayaker or canoer can.