SACO, Maine — A 51-year-old kayaker who was reported missing near Saco Bay in southern Maine has died.
The Maine Sunday Telegram says the unidentified kayaker died at Maine Medical Center in Portland, where he was taken after he was found face-up in the water Saturday evening.
A Maine Marine Patrol aircraft found the man’s kayak upright and empty about 150 feet off Higgins Beach. A Coast Guard rescue helicopter located him, but he was unresponsive. He was wearing a lifejacket and wetsuit.
The kayaker was transferred by Coast Guard boat crews to Maine Medical Center.
If these needless deaths “behind the wheel” of a kayak continue- perhaps some type of mandatory training will need to be implemented. We all hate more regulation, but if we’re losing more people in Kayak deaths, than gun accidents,something needs to be done.
“We all hate more regulation” he states, as he proposes more regulation. (sigh)
That’s why I said that, I do dislike more laws. What’s your plan to stop all of these needless deaths?
If people take the risk, then it is there own problem. Why do you think we have to stop all risk involved in life.
Your second sentence….DID I SAY THAT?
It used to be called death by misadventure. You can’t stop it because people are more and more daring these days. We don’t need any more laws though.
Dead on Common, what is the point of excitemnet with out risk!
NO MORE LAWS, but there should be a $10.00 yearly fee on all kayaks etc. to pay for the rescue cost. Why should boaters and jet skiers pay all the cost?
There was a proposal for a “Recreational License” , if a person has one , and ends up needing help they will be covered, if they do not have the license then they could be charged with the expense of the rescue or aid.Yes , there are pros and cons to this , some people will be up in arms at being charged a fee to take a walk in the woods, not so you can walk the woods free, but if you become lost and need to be found it will cost you .
Every activity has associated risk. One of the best forms of protection is the buddy system.
Talk about trying to have a normal life? what is normal anyways……anything that has to do with mioney
A good number of these people getting into trouble don’t own the kayaks and are from out of state.I see them on my lake in dark blue boats without life jackets. “Recovery” is all too often the “cost.”
This man was from Maine.
I read the story, I know that. I was making a reference to these people who just grab one of these boats and head out. This will get worse before it gets better. Some sort of ad caipaign might be better than new laws that could not be enforced very well.
Being from Maine doesn’t guarantee kayak smaats.
When someone vists my camp in the summer with kids ranging between 10 and 15 I don’t just hand them kayaks or any other boat- too many people do. We wouldn’t take out a pump shot gun and a box of shells and tell kids or adults to point away from the camp road would we if they had no experience with firearms ? “Ocean Kayak” is my favorite. There just needs to be some education on safety-How to do that is the question.
he did not drown- it is possible he had some kind of medical emergency perhaps?
Anything is a possibilty, that’s why an educational program, perhaps on TV and Radio for several months before the season begins would help. Don’t go alone- might be a good start.
Steve was one of the smartest, kindest, funniest people I ever met. He leaves behind a son and daughter whom he adored. Please be kind in your comments. He would have done the same for you.