The Director should be able to have direct cell phone contact with the Boat Captain anytime, place during the tournament, no exceptions period.
Bunch of bad decisions made, lucky no deaths. THSBA & the TD needs to accept responsibility and re-evaluate.

I agree with you "Flip N Go" about the direct contact w Captains but there are lots of places that have no/minimal cell service depending on the carrier used. This brings it back to Boat Captain's responsibility.

I will never understand how people blame the TD or trail. I take responsibility for myself. When did everyone stop doing that.

Is your real name captain obvious?

Post was from the mom of one of the anglers.

Your responible for your own safety, period! End of discussion.

I said it a while back, if you are gonna captain for kids other than your own slap a big extra umbrella policy over yourself. It's not if but when there is a event that will not end well and I suspect the waiver will get shredded by an attorney to get to the organization. And sure the captain shoulders alot of the blame in a deal like this.

I agree. some think a non legal document holds water in a court. a great attorney will shred it like Nancy Pelosi

I had a Sanger team out there Sunday morning and I had the radar on my phone up from 6am until the time we headed for cover. The way the radar looked it was all moving East and staying North. Once the wind changed directions and the temperature dropped we headed to cover in the marina. I fully understand everyone being upset that the tournament wasn't canceled before it started but can you imagine the backlash if they would have canceled it and the storm stayed North like I thought it was going to do. THSBA is in a no win situation but when in doubt take the safety of the kids into consideration first.
From talking to the local Game Warden it sounds like one boat was capsized and one swamped. Both were beached at the Pecan Creek ramp and unoccupied.

Any captain of a boat that was in this tournament that needed someone to tell them to take cover or even get off the water might want to rethink being a captain.

The problem with liability waivers is they dont protect you from negligence claims. When the attorneys start tearing apart procedures, requirements, if and candy and but type stuff, should, could, would you are in for a long and hard road.

Hopalong thanks for the app advise. I will get it loaded on my phone immediately.

We were on the water on Sunday. First cast was at 6, but we held off and launched around 630. The skies were clearing from the east and we had a southern wind all morning. It was super dark to the west. Launched at Jordan, and stayed close on the east side. The storm came in from the west real quick. Ran back to Jordan but the 4 footers were too much to trailer the boat. We were able to pull into a slip across from Jordan, along with 3 other boats. We were lucky that there is a small wooden shelter at the dock we were on. 10 of us spent an hour waiting it out. We know of at least two that capsized. Confirmed that all anglers and captains were accounted for. My boys saw it up close and personal how bad it can get, and how quickly. Thank you lord for bringing us all home safely.

Man, it was bad around here. I'm very happy all are safe. Boats can be repaired / replaced.