If this is the Chris (Topwater) I am thinking of from Colorado, he ran an Almar out of Neah Bay for many years as I used to run out of there too. We talked at the docks. He does know what he is talking about.

After reviewing the coast guard video of the Trophy taking on water, and getting pumped out, this was while the weather was building. It was not even close to its worst. I am posting this picture of a livingston I snapped a picture of in 2006 at the SW corner of the closure. This is a guy halibut fishing by himself. This backs up Chris point.

By the way, There was no halibut derby, but is the poor reporting of the news station. It is treated like a derby or has a "derby" mentality.