Date of Incident10/9/2015
Time12:00pm
Location: Physical DescriptionBetween South end of Culross Passage and Lower Passage of Knight Island in Prince William Sound
Reporting aIncident
TypeOcean
Water Conditions12-14 ft seas
Weather ConditionsWeather was light rain, strong winds; small craft advisory
Boat Type26 foot fiberglass
Motorized?Yes
Number of People3
Number of People Wearing Life Jackets2
Other Safety Equipment Usednone
Event DescriptionThe exact date of incident I can not remember, near October 9th, 2015. Inexperienced captain of a private boat took us to Green Island for a deer hunt for a couple days. Mechanically the boat was not kept up (leaked into sleeping area, wiper broken, and field repair of power steering pump). On the return to Whittier the Captain did not check sea forecast. Later learned of the small craft advisory during this time. Halfway between Knight Island and Culross the waves became huge 12-14 ft. Captain kept full throttle taking the waves on the back corner. We advised the Captain several times to turn and slow down. The Captain was screaming at us and obviously not in control of himself. I was on the back deck yelling out when the big waves were coming. We then got flipped onto our side, propeller over reving out of the water. I has hanging from a rail, The Captain was thrown out of his chair on top of the passenger. As I was climbing onto the side of the boat (now the top), the boat decided to right itself. The boat made it into Whittier after this.
Event OutcomeI will never be on this friends boat again. I have my own boat or go out with licensed operators. There is large psychological stress and we thank God for being spared during this trip.