hurray bass! and hurray coast guard!

[RIROCKHOUND]

I dont want to sound like an A-Hole commercial guy, but I have to take BW's side on this... watch the forecast carefully, plan accordingly and if weather deteriorates get Home....

Shiite does happen out there, and thats what the CG's are there for in the extreme. My bigger problem is that they actually came and got you; that ventures a guess that either
A. you were anchored in a navigation channel or traffic sep. scheme areas, or
B. they were feeling charitable (usually would tell you to call a commercial salver)

My problem is more in venturing out in an ill equiped boat and running into problems, which may or may not have been you guys... I run a variety of boats, mainly a 60ft commercial pax. vessel, along with a small r/v and several small fishing boats. My personal boat is a 13ft whaler, and I would never leave the dock w/o a compass, flares, fog horn, vhf and cell phone. On nights with Fog in the forescast I wont even leave my side of the bay, at worst I can pick my way along the shore and get home.

I spend weekends listening on the radio to people F'ing up and then expecting to get bailed out. The CG's rarly come out unless it is life threatening, otherwise the call a comm. salver (seatow etc) or the HM's. This incluedes the twice a year warriors in boats that break down, run out of fuel etc.. or the people who get lost in the fog, or run into the fish traps, or the people who run outside the bay then want to go home to warwick and oops it came up NW 20knots, etc. etc. etc..

The bottom line;
1. My Shiite stinks to, stuff happens, the best you can do is be prepared and plan more carefully
2. Dont be a statistic, but dont sit on your tail and hope to be bailed out you are really lucky the CG's didnt leave you to a commercial salver or to wait it out.
3. If you knew where you were at all times then with a chart, compass, depth sounder, fog horn, the proper running lights and a vhf (to monitor commercial traffic) you could have gotten home. Just go slow and steady and use your head out there.
4. This isnt meant to flame you BJS, I just spend too many days working hearing BS on the water.... including the guy complaining on Sun of a car ship disrupting his sail race... he misquoted the rules of the road and issued a 'warning' to watch out for the really big boat coming down the bay.. sorry but BW's right again, if you cant see a Friggin Carship coming down the bay on a clear day and plan a corrdingly, you deserve to get hit...

Besides I cant agree with BW too much; he's a yuppie from an island

[Saltheart]

Glad everyone is safely home .

At some point you must have felt unsafe or you wouldn't have called them. Not a good situation to put yourself and your guests into.

I've seen some really risky stuff out there. I once came upon a guy and two women , probably all late 40's to early 50's in age , on a sunfish in the middle of long Island sound between Guilford and Matituck(from this area its about 10 miles either way to CT or NY) in the ofg. They had a little 1 horse outboard and had run out of gas. I offered a tow , they said no. I offered to bring his passengers in for him and he could follow me. he said no. He just wanted gas. He seemed really annoyed that I persisted in recommending he take my help. I gave him gas but will never forget what a stupid bastard he was refusing the help. I never heard anything on the news so i assume he made it home.

Another time I was anchored in the Salt Pond at Block Island when I heard a May Day call. That's getting serious. I looked up the coordinates and couldn't figure out what was wrong cause apparently this guy was right next to me in the pond calling a May day. Next thing you know the anchorage area I was in is swarming with coast guard and Harbor master boats. The guy was at anchor in the poind and called a May Day (yep , a full blown May day) because his anchor started dragging!!! They read him the riot act!!!

Anyway I never called the Coast Guard or a Sea Tow in the 23 years I had the boat but if you feel a need , make the call , don't take chances if you are uncomfortable out there. I'd sooner face 12 foot seas than dense fog (faced both many times) so if you were uncomfortable , it was a good idea to call. Getting people home safely is more important than anything else. You may want to follow up with other experienced boaters or the Power squadron or even the Coast guard and see what you can learn to avoid the situation next time.

[BrianS]

It must of been the charitable case then

Because I called and spoke to them on and off over 3 hours.. There were more pressing matters out there...

I expressed that we were not in danger, we were just anchored right off an island and looking to get out.. Never once did they mention a commercial tow..


The one thing the owner of the boat DIDNT have and I thought he did was the VHF... Everything else other than a GPS was accounted for.... We did have a working compass and knew the route back to the dock... The owner just didnt want to chance it.

[Vectorfisher]

Originally Posted by bjs

It must of been the charitable case then

Because I called and spoke to them on and off over 3 hours.. There were more pressing matters out there...

I expressed that we were not in danger, we were just anchored right off an island and looking to get out.. Never once did they mention a commercial tow..


The one thing the owner of the boat DIDNT have and I thought he did was the VHF... Everything else other than a GPS was accounted for.... We did have a working compass and knew the route back to the dock... The owner just didnt want to chance it.

It would probably be in your best interest to buy him or yourself a handheld GPS and learn how to use it!! Way too many things can go wrong out there your not playing with a full deck if you don't take advantage of every available aide to your safety. I will bet you the capt couldn't get back with just the compass either, how many charts of the area were on the boat? Personnaly I have ventured out in dense fog, however I have survival suits, EPIRB,radar, GPS chartplotter, ship to shore radio and a backup handheld
It's all about fun, relaxation and enjoyment and you can't get any of those when you put your self in that predicament, a 36" fish is not worth a life, BE SAFE!!

[MakoMike]

I don't want it to seem like I'm piling on, but that Captain had no business being out there in that situation. If I were you I'd be pissed at him for putting my life in danger!

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

I don't want it to seem like I'm piling on, but that Captain had no business being out there in that situation. If I were you I'd be pissed at him for putting my life in danger!

my thoughts as well.

[TheSpecialist]

Whether he had a gps, or not he should still be able to navigate with a compass. The danger lies in the fact that with out a radar, you won't see other vessels until it is too late.

[Roger]

Originally Posted by bjs

The one thing the owner of the boat DIDNT have and I thought he did was the VHF... Everything else other than a GPS was accounted for.... We did have a working compass and knew the route back to the dock... The owner just didnt want to chance it.

It's likely that a boater without rudimentary items like a VHF has not had his compass swung, rendering it all but useless in zero vis. (not to mention the effect of current and wind on boat direction and orientation)

BJS, you get a pass because you are not the boater and have no need to be familiar with what a responsible boater should know or have on board. It sounds like you did the right thing in calling the coasties. Your well being was likely in danger, even if you do not realize it.

The owner however does not get the same pass. If he can't navigate in zero vis, he should not be out in the dark. He needs to start by taking a boating course.

BTW, you think the guys here are tough? Can you imagine how much the coasties are laughing at you along with their friends? They've got their own term for you folks that's not approriate for polite company.

[RIROCKHOUND]

BW; I know you aint know yuppie... it's just so tempting cause you live on the island, my offer still stands anytime your on the rhody mainland......

BJS sorry for my rant I had just worked the weekend in Newport and was frustrated with the morons out there, it wasnt your boat so I agree your buddy needs lessons, you're cool

Even if you dont own a boat, if you dont know a ton, take a boating class even without a boat, it will help in the long run if you get into a similar situation.....

Bryan

[Homerun04]

My problem is more in venturing out in an ill equiped boat and running into problems, which may or may not have been you guys... I run a variety of boats, mainly a 60ft commercial pax. vessel, along with a small r/v and several small fishing boats. My personal boat is a 13ft whaler, and I would never leave the dock w/o a compass, flares, fog horn, vhf and cell phone. On nights with Fog in the forescast I wont even leave my side of the bay, at worst I can pick my way along the shore and get home.

My tactics EXACTLY....and I run a 19' Whaler. If I call the CG ONCE in my lifetime for help, it will be 1 time too many, as far as I am concerned.

[BrianS]

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

Even if you dont own a boat, if you dont know a ton, take a boating class even without a boat, it will help in the long run if you get into a similar situation.....

Bryan

not a bad idea..

can anyone reccomend anywhere to look into in the southeastern MA area?

[Slipknot]

Power Squadron has a course at Bristol/Plymouth Tech. High school in taunton. You missed the spring course but I believe they may have another. Coast Gaurd courses are available also but I don't know where or when.

[beachwalker]

Originally Posted by Saltheart

Glad everyone is safely home .

At some point you must have felt unsafe or you wouldn't have called them. Not a good situation to put yourself and your guests into.

I've seen some really risky stuff out there. I once came upon a guy and two women , probably all late 40's to early 50's in age , on a sunfish in the middle of long Island sound between Guilford and Matituck(from this area its about 10 miles either way to CT or NY) in the ofg. They had a little 1 horse outboard and had run out of gas. I offered a tow , they said no. I offered to bring his passengers in for him and he could follow me. he said no. He just wanted gas. He seemed really annoyed that I persisted in recommending he take my help. I gave him gas but will never forget what a stupid bastard he was refusing the help. I never heard anything on the news so i assume he made it home.

Another time I was anchored in the Salt Pond at Block Island when I heard a May Day call. That's getting serious. I looked up the coordinates and couldn't figure out what was wrong cause apparently this guy was right next to me in the pond calling a May day. Next thing you know the anchorage area I was in is swarming with coast guard and Harbor master boats. The guy was at anchor in the poind and called a May Day (yep , a full blown May day) because his anchor started dragging!!! They read him the riot act!!!

Anyway I never called the Coast Guard or a Sea Tow in the 23 years I had the boat but if you feel a need , make the call , don't take chances if you are uncomfortable out there. I'd sooner face 12 foot seas than dense fog (faced both many times) so if you were uncomfortable , it was a good idea to call. Getting people home safely is more important than anything else. You may want to follow up with other experienced boaters or the Power squadron or even the Coast guard and see what you can learn to avoid the situation next time.

I agree with you Saltheart and I am sorry I was such an a$$

Saltheart you are a good moderator (and person). Always a very tactful way of explaining things. I lack it and have and will learn to be a little more patient.
At least I'll try.
but in reality, some people just don't get.
BJS, if the owner didn't have a VHF and you thought he did, then I apologize for my harsh critique. I would have read him the riot act once I understood that. I am an a$$hole you see...

Rock I ain't no yuppie.

[BrianS]

and on the flipside of what BW said...

yes I have spent a hell of alot more time on boats recently, but I still dont own one and only know so much...

so yes.. lots to learn.. and consider.