Fact Check: Witnesses reported waves as high as 10 feet during the capsizing event.

Fact Check: "Witnesses reported waves as high as 10 feet during the capsizing event."

What We Know

The claim that "witnesses reported waves as high as 10 feet during the capsizing event" is supported by multiple sources. During formal public hearings regarding the capsizing of the Seacor Power, testimonies indicated that witnesses experienced severe weather conditions, including waves that were reported to be between 10 to 12 feet high (KATC News). Additionally, a separate incident on Lake Tahoe involved witnesses describing swells reaching 8 to 10 feet during a sudden storm that capsized a boat, further corroborating the occurrence of such wave heights in maritime incidents (San Francisco Chronicle).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim comes from credible sources, including testimonies from survivors and witnesses during the Coast Guard's formal hearings on the Seacor Power incident. The hearings involved 31 witnesses and were aimed at investigating the capsizing, which resulted in the loss of 13 crew members. Testimonies from these hearings indicated that the weather conditions were extreme, with one witness specifically stating that they faced waves of 10 to 12 feet (KATC News).

However, it is important to note that while some witnesses reported waves as high as 10 feet, others may have reported lower estimates, such as 3-4 feet, which were also mentioned in the context of weather forecasts leading up to the incident (KLFY). This discrepancy suggests that while the claim is supported by some accounts, it may not represent a consensus among all witnesses.

The reliability of the sources is strong, particularly the testimonies provided during the Coast Guard hearings, which are part of an official investigation. However, the variability in witness accounts indicates that while some experienced extreme conditions, others did not perceive the waves to be as high.

Conclusion

The claim that "witnesses reported waves as high as 10 feet during the capsizing event" is Partially True. While there is credible testimony supporting the occurrence of such wave heights, there are also reports of lower wave estimates, indicating that experiences varied among witnesses. This variability suggests that while extreme conditions were present, not all witnesses agreed on the specifics of the wave heights.

Fact Check: Witnesses reported waves as high as 10 feet during the capsizing event.