On Sunday November 27, 2005 at approximately 8:30 am, a Mayday was called on VHF channel 16 from Canadian kayaker Victoria Seay needing assistance for her two friends and herself. She and fellow Canadians Christine Richardson and Pam Fennell had started off for a unguided paddle between Isla Coronado and Isla Carmen in calm weather. About an hour out, the first northerly storm of the season hit fast and hard, and she became separated from the other two. Her kayak had capsized and she was in the water. 

There was an immediate response to her call. Sonia Anne Base in Loreto coordinated the search and rescue from land. Baja California, the first boat in the water to start the  search, used their knowledge and skill to make contact and communicate with Victoria throughout the entire search. Ozark Lady who was passing by on the more protected east side of Isla Carmen, and Sea Venture visiting Puerto Escondido, joined the search. The seas were 8 to 10 feet making it impossible to see the white underside of a capsized kayak in water already white with foam from the 30-40 knot winds. Free Style worked at plotting possible locations where she might be.  Sonia Anne Base never left the radio relaying information and giving encouragement as she struggled against impossible odds. 

Around 3:30 pm Ozark Lady located and rescued Victoria's two friends who, having no radio, had not known anyone was looking for them. After getting aboard and warming up, Pam and Christine came on the radio, giving encouragement to their lifelong friend still in the water. 

As dark grew close, the efforts to find Victoria intensified. Support from everyone on Land and Sea was overwhelming. No one left their radio, many sending words of encouragement or turning on lights so that she may continue to have hope.

 The last transmission from Victoria was almost 12 hours after she went into the water, approximately 8:15 pm. 

The search resumed at first light Monday morning. Sea Venture spotted her kayak near the southern point of Isla Carmen with her body close by. She was so brave, had so much endurance and fight; the long cold windy night was just too much for her. 

Godspeed Victoria,

Your life was taken needlessly, and now ours shall be changed forever.

 Those who attempted the rescue are encouraging kayak companies and manufacturers to put reflective and/or dayglow striping on the kayaks so they can be better seen, and to better prepare kayakers for rough weather conditions.

In addition to your regular gear correctly stowed please take the time to look over the list below to ensure you are prepared for a safe and wonderful trip in the area.

 Solas-approved PFD (If your PFD doesn’t have reflective tape, get one that does.)

Whistle, Knife, Strobe or Flashlight attached to the PFD (If you are stowing this gear under a hatch it may cost you your life.)

 A good quality spray jacket (A cotton tee shirt will not insulate the body core enough to stop hypothermia.)

 Smoke flare and Red handheld flare attached to the inside of the cockpit (NOT UNDER A HATCH... You will need this at the ready when you need to signal.)

 Submersible VHF radio attached to the cockpit or PFD (If you don’t have one there is no Mayday.)

 BLAZE ORANGE or YELLOW on at least one side of the paddle blades (A bright-colored paddle waved in the air can be seen from a greater distance.)

 The underside of the kayak should be marked with a color similar to the backs of the paddles (Blaze Orange is best) and reflective tape. (The white fiberglass underbody of the standard ocean kayak is almost impossible to see in a sea of whitecaps.)

Local charts, laminated or ziplocked and attached to the kayak

Compass, either deck-mounted or hockey puck type

GPS, many small waterproof models are available

Wet suits and spray jackets, on all offshore passages between islands

A good source of local information and weather conditions, including tides, is broadcast at 8:00 am every day by the Puerto Escondido Cruisers Net on VHF channel 22. Feel free to ask for information, file a float plan or to call for a weather report at any time on VHF channel 16.

 Remember: Passive tactics may cost you your life if you are not prepared. Plan for the worst and hope for the best.

BBA 12/15/05