I ,too, was on the scene as the the helicopters were hovering around. Lots of armchair quarterbacking here but let's just say that it got much worse than predicted. My wiper motor on the helm side went out and the one on the port side broke off so I had no visibility at all for miles. I agree that the short season draws way too many small boats to the area for the "gold rush"..usually hear the macho bragging rights stuff...like "we went out 35 miles and got huge halis....we didn't have any problems...blah blah..." BS