What a totally avoidable tragedy! In-experience, 30knt winds, 40 some-odd-degree water, street clothes. I have spent countless hours paddling this very area they were lost in. The East side of Cushing can be a real challenge even on a good day with IT's open ocean exposure, claptosis and weird currents. More than once I have poked the bow out beyond the cliffs of Whitehead passage and decided that caution trumphs valor. I have also run into a lot of un-prepared paddlers. Questionable "kayaks", no safety equipment, signal equipment, improper clothing, PFD's stuck under the bungies (how do you retreive your PFD after the kayak blows away?) and a complete lack of knowlege and practice of basic assisted and self rescue techniques. Yes the air temp maybe pushing 80 but it's Maine - the water temp hovers around 50 degrees for a long, long time.

Again, what a tragedy. My wife and I where planing to head out that way next week. Sure makes one check if the safety list is complete.