re: anyone know these fellas? Rough weather footage and badass captain

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I've never been on one when it was struck but have been on many that got struck. Yes it often fries everything. If he has modern electronic engines he'd be dead boat and pretty soon a sunk boat.

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When I was surveying in the Gulf (pipeline construction long ago, about 60 miles South of Cameron) my employer leased a +/- 90 foot boat (don't remember exact length - was longer than the 85 ft. crew boat that was later assigned to me) that had electric steering. It was odd - tiny helm that only moved about 6" to port or to starboard. The longer you held the wheel turned to the side, the more the rudders shifted (increased rate of turn).

Anyway we got caught one day trying to get back to Cameron during one of really strong cold fronts. North winds probably 40-50 knots, seas maybe 12-15. My one diver and one tender threw up in the galley - started a chain reaction of puking among all the divers and my buoy hands. Then one of the rear hatch covers came off, and when water got in the bilge the electric steering went out.

The skipper had to steer by varying the rpm's of the two engines. It was especially dicey when one of the rogue waves would pop up. This guy was without a doubt the best skipper I ever had on any of the boats during my time offshore.

I haven't surveyed offshore in a long time - haven't been that hungry yet.