My name is Greg Cornish. I am a friend of Catfish Ed. I am a quadriplegic. I have lived in Nice CA for four years. I am originally from Minnesota and have spent countless hours on boats, fishing and swimming before my auto accident 30 years ago. After my accident I found that when in the water, I didn't sink. I could no longer swim underwater. My butt would bob across the surface like a float. I was somewhat confident I would never drown.

I spent many hours the last two years rigging up a little 14 ft. Dorsett boat with high gunnels. I built a pickup hoist on to the trailer and fashioned a sling and chains to hoist me in. This is a lot of work for those who fish with me, but I have good friends. I also have a pontoon boat which is much safer and easier to fish from, but is a pain to tow and hard to get up to Indian Valley Reservoir. Besides that the motor blew up. I've spent many hours trolling for trout on Indian Valley and had a ball catching them in my small boat.

I thought I did everything right as far as safety issues were concerned. I always have a life vest for every person on board. I have a fire extinguisher mounted in the bow. I have two anchors. I have a flare gun on board. I double check all safety features before launching.

August 22, 2001 my friend and I decided to try some new bass techniques and thought Jago Bay in Clear Lake, CA was a good habitat to try.

I've always had this fantasy in my head that if the life jackets were nearby that was good enough. I knew if something happened I'd always have time to get them on. I had a rule to always have them on hand while boating.

We started fishing Jago bay from the north down. We passed Al Freitas (former owner of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake) moving in the other direction. There was a breeze there with waves 1 ½ to 2 ft. in height. We found that if we stayed close to shore the waves weren't bad at all. As we neared the south end of Jago Bay we needed to turn around. We reversed the trolling motor and started backing around. We didn't realize it but the drain in the engine well for the outboard had become plugged and was not releasing water. Without our knowing it, the water began filling up in the well and flowing through the cable holes into the boat. Suddenly my buddy felt his feet get wet. He yelled, "Greg we're taking on water fast. He was leaning back over the port side of the boat. I yelled, "Well get in the drivers seat and lets try to make shore." He said, "I can't because if I do, We'll capsize. I'm trying to balance the boat"

I looked at the water situation. He was right. The water was staying to the starboard side of the boat making it list. I figured - capsize or sink - its all the same and tried to make it to the drivers seat. I fell on the floor. Then my friend tried to get the engine started and couldn't. Slowly the boat rolled to the starboard side and went upside down.

I filled my lungs with air as we rolled. Suddenly everything was dark. I immediately realized that to panic would not benefit me. I stayed calm. I started feeling for the boat so I would know which way was up. I couldn't see any light because I was still under the boat. I couldn't feel anything. I remember thinking, "I always wondered how I was going to die! Well - drowning. This sucks, 54 years old and this is the end." As I waved my arm around once more I accidentally put it right into my friends hand. He jerked me out from under it like hauling in a bluegill. I gasped for air. Every time I did I took in water. I found if I swallowed it didn't go into my lungs. I started swimming to shore. The water was at least warm and comfortable.

My friend grabbed me and shoved me against the boat. He yelled, "Stay with the boat Greg, Stay with The boat. It will stay afloat. There's air in the boat! Don't leave the boat." He then tried to help me hang on, but with no ability to grasp with my hands there was nothing I could do. Suddenly my friend swam around me and I wondered what he was doing. He found the winch loop on the bow of the boat and jerked me to the front. I was able to get my sturdiest finger through the loop and raise myself. My friend had put my life before his. He performed a heroic action.

I started screaming for help. My cell phone was water logged and of no service. Al's bass boat was a quarter mile upwind and there was no chance of him hearing us. It wasn't long before I heard someone yelling, "Do you need help?" Two teenage boys who had been sleeping in, were awakened by my cries. They ran to the water and launched an aluminum boat and came to our rescue. One of the boys, without hesitation, jumped into the water and started pushing the boat toward a beach. It wasn't long before our feet touched bottom. By the time we were there, people already knew my situation and had a lawn chair waiting for me. They got my three shirts off me and gave me some blankets.

The Sheriffs boat pulled up and two officers asked us many questions in a very courteous manner. Then three guys lifted the lawn chair into the Sheriffs boat and transported my friend and I to Red Bud Park to the comfort of my wheelchair and the heater in my car. The Sheriffs joked with me the entire time. I think they knew how shook up I was. I'm sure they liked carrying live bodies around much more than dead ones.

Then they went back and picked up my boat and helped me trailer it. They were great. They told me the price was right-Taxpayers dollars. I think there should be a stupidity charge for me not having enough common sense to wear my life vest.

 A Life Jacket not worn could be a Death Jacket - you will not have time to get it on in an accident - even when sitting still or trolling. Stay with the boat if it's afloat. Not only is it a life support - rescuers can see the hull of a boat much better than a human head bobbing in the water. Visually inspect your boat often when in use and underway. I'm going to wrap my cell phone in a water proof package from now on. I'm also going to attend the next Coast Guard Auxiliary Safety School.

For Lake County classes contact Jeremiah Collins FC at 707-277-7584 or email him at jmcollins@jps.net They just finished 2 classes & are taking a list for another.

Thank you to my fishing buddy for his heroics, to the friendly people at Jago Bay and the outstanding Lake County Sheriffs Department Water Patrol and thanks to Catfish Ed for helping me bring this to your attention.

Be safe!

Greg Cornish graphico@vom.com