Exposing Hogans Creek

[Ocklawaha]

Big open waterways is one of the prime reasons that Jacksonville could capitalize on Hogan's and another hundred creeks like this throughout our city. Strong wind is nearly impossible to deal with in a paddle craft which makes a smaller protected waterway MUCH more attractive. From Craig's Creek to Pottsburg to Hogan's, Mc Coy's and Fishweir, this city is rich in small craft waterways. Chances are had this guy been paddling in one of our creeks his wedding would still be on.

OCKLAWAHA

TAMPA | Wes Powe and Jerry Knight set out from the MacDill Air Force Base boat ramp Saturday morning for a day of kayaking on Tampa Bay.

Jerry Knight, whose body was recovered Sunday afternoon in Tampa Bay.

It was a trip that would turn deadly for Knight, whose body was recovered Sunday afternoon in the choppy waters south of the Air Force base.

When they set out, the sun was shining and the wind was brisk.

Powe, 33, of Bartow, and Knight, 22, of Lakeland, began their journey about 11:30 a.m. and paddled around the peninsula in the northeast section of Tampa Bay, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Strong winds and rough seas separated the two about 1:20 p.m. Powe became exhausted and could paddle no more, FWC spokesman Gary Morse said.

As winds pushed him into a shipping channel, Powe tied his kayak to a buoy.

He never saw Knight again.

Knight was reported missing at 4:30 p.m. after personnel on a ship saw Powe and alerted the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office to his position off Gadsden Point, Morse said.

An Hillsborough sheriff's boat that had been escorting a ship in the bay went to Powe's rescue and radioed the U.S. Coast Guard about Knight.

A flotilla of boats were launched and helicopters scoured the bay for any sign of Knight, but the rescuers had no luck Saturday, Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Simpson said.

"Multiple federal, state and local law-enforcement agencies conducted an exhaustive search," he said.

Early Sunday, authorities spotted Knight's gray kayak on Beer Can Island several miles east of the base.

Authorities searched the island, but found nothing.

Simpson said the kayak appeared to have washed up on the island, with no indication that Knight had placed it there.

Emergency rescue crews from the Coast Guard, MacDill, the FWC, Tampa police and the Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee County Sheriff's Offices continued their difficult search.

The passing cold front Saturday made conditions on the water challenging. And those conditions continued Sunday.

"It's really tough to search for someone when it's that choppy," Simpson said.

The search came to an end about 3:30 p.m. Sunday when a fisherman spotted Knight's body, wearing a life vest, near E. G. Simmons Park in Ruskin, south of the base, Morse said.

An autopsy to determine Knight's cause of death will be performed by the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner' Office.

While there were no outward signs as to the cause of Knight's death, Morse said it might have been hypothermia.

The water temperature of Tampa Bay was about 57 degrees, according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Anthony Reynes.

When Powe and Knight set off on their excursion, a small craft advisory had been issued at 10 a.m. Saturday by the Weather Service, warning of rough seas and sustained winds between 20 and 25 mph. Wind gusts over 30 mph were recorded.

The advisory was in effect until 10 p.m. Saturday night.

"We did have choppy conditions inside the bay," Reynes said. "And with winds between 20 and 25 mph, that's pretty significant for a small vessel."

Knight, an avid outdoorsman, attended Bartow High School and was engaged to be married.

[north miami]

Big open waterways is one of the prime reasons that Jacksonville could capitalize on Hogan's and another hundred creeks like this throughout our city. Strong wind is nearly impossible to deal with in a paddle craft which makes a smaller protected waterway MUCH more attractive. From Craig's Creek to Pottsburg to Hogan's, Mc Coy's and Fishweir, this city is rich in small craft waterways.

OCKLAWAHA

Spent a long weekend at St.Simons and Jekyl Island two weeks ago.Small craft/kayak is a central theme,along with Okefenokee Swamp.
Talked with the area kayak shops,guide services...........they obviously hold Duval county in reverence,and may even view us as viable 'competitor'.One can learn a great deal from such outlook.
As wonderful as St.Simons is,"Downtown" St.Simons and environs makes one really appreciate Downtown Jacksonville water ways.

Even on the subject of Okefenokee I held them in a state of awe with the good news from Florida-we just down the road in Florida have recently linked Okefenokee with a public lands extension of Osceola National Forest- a significant initiative offering even more diverse,spontaneous public access and recreation.

[Captain Zissou]

I'd be interested in getting a little messy cleaning up the creek this Saturday.  Anyone going to be out there?

[DA_MONSTER]

I'll go out there, you scallywag!!!

[Ocklawaha]

We don't need a kayak or canoe for this job, we need a barge! Though if anyone has a jonboat that might help.

OCKLAWAHA

[fieldafm]

Ok, lets do this.  PM me your phone numbers if you want to make it happen this Saturday.  I think Noone has a jonboat that could assist in this process.

[Captain Zissou]

I may be able to bring a Kayak, but I might be totally land based in my efforts.  This is all assuming that Da Monster is actually serious about it as well, as I'd need to borrow his truck!!!

[fieldafm]

Kayak or no... the creek needs help.  Its a cool paddle, but it also needs trash pickup in the worst way.  I stepped in human excriment on Saturday.

The more people that take interest, the more our 'leaders' will take notice.

I have a truck if one is needed.  Da Monster's support is highly encouraged as well.

[Noone]

Field I'm in. Right now I'll try and be there about 8:45 It should be an outgoing tide. I'll bring a tandem and take you. Unless you have your own kayak. I know I'll be having to head back after 10 but just putting another dent and making the waterway visually better will just benefit our entire city of Jacksonville. I don't have a jon boat.

But lets make it happen and emerge under the Bay st. bridge and then look at the view that is our St. Johns River our American Heritage River and then paddle back against the tide and with whatever garbage that we have just collected you can feel so good knowing that you have just made a scene Downtown and our Waterway is better for it.

[CG7]

Let me know the closest place to put the 'yak in and i'm there.

[Captain Zissou]

Sounds like this could be a busy morning at the creek.  Field, Noone, CG7, Monster, myself...Ock?  Any other takers??

[DA_MONSTER]

Come on you curmudgeons!!  What would Freddie Mercury do??

"I like to be surrounded by splendid things." - Freddie

[Noone]

Can't wait for us to Make it Happen. Capt. Zissou I'll bring an extra kayak just to make sure your covered. Its a bucket list activity that you will be talking about for years to come.

[DA_MONSTER]

I stepped in human excriment on Saturday.

Just out of curiosity, how do you know it was human excrement??

[dougskiles]

When you get out there, you will know why.  I'm sorry that we can't make it - it sounds like a fun time.  Can't wait to see photos and read stories.