Trevor Collins

I don't know if that is a kind of like a rule or some sort of code or if that's just kind of a agreed upon safe distance for turbulent waters or what have you.

that's about as far back as they were the two captains were aware of a storm that was brewing so they decided to take an alternate route they shifted to take what they called the northerly course through lake superior they believed this route would be safer as they would be protected uh by the highlands on the canadian side on the north side so that would kind of

buffer the wind from sweeping across the waters.

So on this route, they plan to later make a southeast turn, which would lead them to a place called Whitefish Point.

This is where they could seek shelter from the weather in the inclement conditions.

Whitefish Point is a small peninsula in the northern part of Michigan on the southeasternmost portion of Lake Superior.

Kind of on their way out of Lake Superior, this is where they could harbor for just a little bit and not necessarily dock, but kind of get closer into land and maybe wait for the storm to blow over.

That said, it seems that weather conditions were worsening throughout the night, and both captains had experience piloting ships in similar conditions, and so they did have a little bit of confidence about them, they had some experience as to what to expect, but to give you an idea of what the storm looked and felt like,

the wind gusts were measured around 50 knots.

The waves were as tall as 12 to 16 feet.

And for reference, 50 knots is about 57 miles per hour or 92 kilometers per hour.

On the Beaufort scale, the scale used to measure wind conditions, 50 knots, suffice to say, is considered extremely severe.

Right.

You're at like Point Nemo.

You're far from people.

No, dude, you're right there in the lake.

And during research on this episode, it became abundantly clear to those who knew about this case, were discussing this case or lived in and around the Great Lakes that they can be very scary.

Lake Superior is not a stranger to conditions like this.

And again, we'll talk a little bit more about that in the theories.

But a lot of people that have the experience know that Lake Superior can be absolutely terrifying when it comes to weather.