Damage to Cachalot at launch kept one crew and the reserve Marine aboard Tuna, leaving five kayaks to begin the approach. The crews could not take the planned five-minute hourly rests because tides, crosswinds, and the sea demanded continuous paddling. Five-foot waves were a severe threat to fifteen-foot, low-profile canvas craft already working near their safe-load limit. Conger capsized, forcing its crew to abandon the kayak and swim after the other boats carried them toward shore.
Chapter · 1:00:00-1:02:38
Sea conditions break up the kayak force
Launch damage, tides, crosswinds, and five-foot waves reduced the six planned kayaks to four craft still moving together early in the first night.