With the risk of making more enemies than friends on here, and pissing off people I hold in high regard, I wont take the time to respond to all this. All I can say is this:

A) Yes I have sailed in 30 knots sustained in the Wrightsville Beach Channel, within visual distance of the coastie station. If you've ever been through there, you know that its not the most forgiving piece of aqua-state. 35+ knots? I don't think so, but then again, I don't trust my rig in that kind of wind.

B) I don't particularly have issue with these guys going out in the first place. I agree they should have had better preparations, like a stobe, and perhaps a dye pack or a floating ribbon. If you place that much stock in a VHF, then I'd bring one of those too. I do, but thankfully have never had to use it.

C) If it costs so much for the heli to just "leave the ground" then I guess they should never use it. Much less fly it up and down the beach on a perfecly blue skied summer day like they do all the time.