Damn, I Got Moist Last Night - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Crafty Angler · 09-29-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloocrab

JakeF.....the problem with that, ........is that one of those big waves may just drop you on said rock...and it won't be gingerly either....be careful out there. Know your surroundings, depths/// witch I'm sure you do..

That happened to Iron Mike one night at the Neck, that place is treacherous - he got picked up by green water and slammed - lost his plug bag, broke his VS and ended up black and purple from chest to ankle. He needed that imbedded horseshoe that night, he's a lucky guy...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloocrab

Chuck ,same goes for you.......BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!!! I want to read about you in the papers, but in the SPORTS section, not on page 2.

Don't worry, amigo - I'm too old to be that stupid, it was wind-driven spray not rolling whitewater

We decided to get the hell out of Dodge after dark, since it was getting just a little too squirrely

Hey, Gilly, speaking of newspapers...get this -

I'm reading the Newport Daily News at work tonight and see some dimwit from Providence was swimming from Brenton Point to Seal Rock in that swell yesterday, gets stranded on the rock and they had to send the Fire Dept and the Coasties on the 41 footer out of Castle Hill for him...

...

THEN, when they get to him, the numbnuts jumps off the rock and swims back to the Point...

Like they say, ya can't fix stupid...

The good news is, they arrested him - should have beat the dirt outta him too for making the responders go through the inside reef in that swell

I hope the judge throws the book at him

JakeF · 09-30-2009, 08:02 AM

Just curious what the swimmer was charged with? Last I heard it was still legal to swim in the ocean.

I don't know the details of this story, but if a guy wants to climb out on a rock for a breather and someone calls the Coasties on him thinking he's stranded, that's not his fault. Just sayin....

DZ · 09-30-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeF

Just curious what the swimmer was charged with? Last I heard it was still legal to swim in the ocean.

I don't know the details of this story, but if a guy wants to climb out on a rock for a breather and someone calls the Coasties on him thinking he's stranded, that's not his fault. Just sayin....

Jake,

I read the story - apparantly it's not legal to swim in the state park areas that are not beaches and Brenton Point park falls into this catagory. This guy put lots of people at risk to attempt a rescue that was not needed. He was fined by DEM. The article did say that scuba divers were excepted from the law(but divers must display a diving flag). Sounds like if your gonna skish - better tow a diving flag.

DZ

JakeF · 09-30-2009, 09:51 AM

I read the entire RI State Parks regulations document this morning after posting that, and you're right, though I did not find any mention of an exception for SCUBA divers. Where did you read that?

The posted signs all along Brentons Point also state, "Keep Off Rocks", are they going to start arresting surfcasters for ignoring those as well?

Section 30 states that the maximum penalty for violation of State Parks regulations (with 2 exceptions in Section 26) is not to exceed a fine of not more than $100. Why was the guy arrested instead of just being issued a ticket? There must have been extenuating circumstances that we're not aware of.

I hear what you're saying about the rescue people being put at risk unnecessarily. However, if someone else called in a "rescue" that was not necessary, isn't that the fault of the person who made the unnecessary call, not the swimmer who obviously had no trouble getting back to shore safely on his own? I've swum out to Seal Rock myself several times. It's only 0.38 miles, and not a tough swim at all if you're properly equipped. I wouldn't consider myself a "dimwit" for doing it either, as there is some good fishing around there at times.

DZ · 09-30-2009, 10:13 AM

Jake,
They fined the guy a $100. Not sure if they actually "arrested" him. The scuba diver exemption was mentioned in the article.

As far as the "Keep off the rocks" signs. You have to know the local history - a few years back a grade school trip to Newport during vacation week in February turned to tragedy. A few kids went out too far onto the rocks in conditions similar to yesterday and were swept off and drowned. The signs were then put up by local authorities - they are not intended to keep local fishermen off - just a caution to unexpecting/uneducated public that are not familiar with what the ocean waves can do. They protect the wary - but not those without any common sense. The guy in this story may have been confident in his abilities but most people with common sense would agree his actions were wacko considering the conditions.

DZ

JakeF · 09-30-2009, 10:23 AM

I hear ya. I'd like to see the actual ammendment to the law that provides an exception for divers. If I have to use a dive flag as a pass to skish, I will.

Quote:

most people with common sense would agree his actions were wacko considering the conditions.

Maybe, but then again, most people with common sense would consider standing on a slippery rock, in the pounding surf, in the middle of the night, a bit wacko as well.

JakeF · 09-30-2009, 10:47 AM

Besides, aside from the legality of swimming there, I really don't see the point in calling a guy a "dimwit", "numbnuts", or "stupid", and hoping a judge "throws the book at him" , just because he did something a bit more extreme than you might choose to do yourself. There's plenty of worse things he could have been doing with his time....

Doublerunner · 09-30-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZ

Jake,
They fined the guy a $100. Not sure if they actually "arrested" him. The scuba diver exemption was mentioned in the article.

As far as the "Keep off the rocks" signs. You have to know the local history - a few years back a grade school trip to Newport during vacation week in February turned to tragedy. A few kids went out too far onto the rocks in conditions similar to yesterday and were swept off and drowned. The signs were then put up by local authorities - they are not intended to keep local fishermen off - just a caution to unexpecting/uneducated public that are not familiar with what the ocean waves can do. They protect the wary - but not those without any common sense. The guy in this story may have been confident in his abilities but most people with common sense would agree his actions were wacko considering the conditions.

DZ

I can understand warning the uneducated public or just the general public as I am sure many people do not know the RI regs on swimming. But I do have to wonder why in the world would a grade school be taking a trip out on the rocks there in February? That makes no sense. And doing it during the vacation week makes no sense either. Regardless of that any one can be swept off the rocks anywhere if they are unknowing and/or uncareful. I remember a cop once telling me that ignorance of the law is no excuse. So if that swimmer did not know it was illegal he will have to pay a price. But to encourage that someone should beat the crap out of him??? Come on...

Thank god all of us didn't get the crap kicked out of us every time we did something that someone else didn't approve of

Another thought. If you were swept off the rocks there, in which direction would you swim? For the shore or further out into the ocean?

Pete_G · 09-30-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crafty Angler

That happened to Iron Mike one night at the Neck, that place is treacherous - he got picked up by green water and slammed - lost his plug bag, broke his VS and ended up black and purple from chest to ankle. He needed that imbedded horseshoe that night, he's a lucky guy...

Come on now Chuck, if you don't mention the broken kneecap, a cast from someone's ankles to their crotch, busted surf rods, giant fish that were lost, and other highlights from others who went that night the story just doesn't have the same magic.

I chose to stay in. NE blow, big seas, and that spot it, was a no brainer to sit on the couch.

Sea Dangles · 09-30-2009, 10:20 PM

I believe there was a wedding ring lost that night also Pete.

Cheer up-Chuck

Pete_G · 09-30-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

I believe there was a wedding ring lost that night also Pete.

Some one needs to write all of that night down so nothing is forgotten.

But maybe it's etched more permanently in your mind, for obvious reasons.

Crafty Angler · 10-01-2009, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doublerunner

...But to encourage that someone should beat the crap out of him??? Come on...

I dunno, call me old school, I guess...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete_G

...I chose to stay in. NE blow, big seas, and that spot it, was a no brainer to sit on the couch.

Knowing both your parents for almost 50 or so years now, I know you're genetically predisposed toward intelligent behaviors

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete_G

Some one needs to write all of that night down so nothing is forgotten.

But maybe it's etched more permanently in your mind, for obvious reasons.

Ya know, Pete, I think you guys are missing a golden opportunity if you don't take Steve's idea for the Rusty Zipper Club and run with it

A corner of the shop with a wood stove and a few more sofas so seasoned veterans and crusty old-timers can spin salty yarns and regale each other with ripping good tales - I dunno, it just might be a brilliant marketing idea, not to mention the book and movie rights...

Steve volunteered himself as a member emeritus and could serve as a part-time bouncer, too

Rusty Zipper Club...God, I was laughing about that last night on the rocks and still chuckling this morning...