The night is young...

[ChuckW]

Well I'm at anchor as I type this here in Southwest FL. Came out for the night to enjoy a quiet evening with my thoughts and some work to do as well. Just me and my man's best friend, a 6 yr old Golden Retriever.

On the way to our anchorage I decided to head out the local pass to watch the sun set over the Gulf before pulling inside to anchor. Low and behold I find a boat run aground on the outer shoal, with 3 people on board. What ensued was at times funny and at times cause for concern.

I over hear on the radio another boat reporting the distressed boats situation to a nearby bridge operator and join in the conversation. I head out the channel to get closer to the distressed boat and get an idea of what their overall situation is (besides the obvious). I stayed on scene to monitor their situation and safety for over 1-1/2 hours until help arrived. At one point the boaters were rigging a line to throw me, but I had no intention of trying to get in tight and give a tow. I was alone with my dog and the waters were too shallow along with strong currents.

I did get in close enough to communicate verbally. Apparently they have no VHF :smt038, are not wearing life jackets at this time :smt038, called Sea Tow but reported their location as Gasparilla pass (6 miles south of them) when they are at Stump Pass :smt038. Clearly lost :smt021. I managed to get their cell phone number and call them. They were fine, I informed them the Coast Guard had been notified and was monitoring their situation through me and another boater and asked if they needed anything to which they were thankful and were awaiting Sea Tow. I then gave the Coast Guard their cell phone number.

I snapped some pics to tell the story.

1st Pic - boat aground, you can see the outer channel marker posts, they are spot on the middle of the channel, but evidently the white caps crashing did not cause them to change course :smt100 This channel was dredged a few years ago, started changing so the CG put in movable buoys, then this year it has been changing so rapidly the CG pulled the buoys and have noted the pass as for "local knowledge only". Word has it a new dredging project is in the works.

2nd Pic - Closer up, the boat is listing from the waives and the crew is in the water trying to push her. Note no life jackets on anyone as they are out of the boat now.

3rd Pic - After we radio the coast guard to report the situation the local police helicopter buzzes the area to inspect the situation. Night is falling, we are about 20 minutes from sunset and higher water won't return until 1 am.

4th Pic - A marine police boat arrives to help them off :thumbsup: First order of business, they tell them to all get life jackets on, you think... :wow:

5th Pic - She's afloat under the cover of dark. :thumbsup: and then the police have them meet up with them on the inside in calm waters and I'm sure give them a verbal spanking, if not anything else.

I was glad I was able to help provide a measure of safety for them by being on station and prepared to take on passengers if needed. I was not about to take a line and give a tow, leave that to the pros. Many lessons here, you think....

 

[Weave]

Wow......crazy stuff.
Good right up and I think you did the right thing

 

[beernutz]

Every picture tells a story. Thanks for sharing and for being a good Samaritan.

 

[Jackie J V]

Good for you for standing on station! It's amazing how many people will think that this is not their problem and move on.

Paul

 

[Stray Cat]

What an eventful evening. I think you were very wise to handle the situation as you did. My wife and I rendered assistance last Memorial Day to a stranded boater, a 60's aged man, a young lady, a guy about 25 ish, and a + - 2 yr old baby on board. No cell phone, or vhf, with a busted outboard and one oar...The sun was setting and I felt the need to tow them to safety. He told me there was plenty of water to get him back to his dock. I followed his instructions and the water kept getting more shallow until the bow of our boat came up, we stopped, and he ran into the back of our swimplatform. That was it, I was done being a nice guy...we cut him lose and he drifted toward his dock maybe 100 yards away.

Buffed the gelcoat to get out the scratch, changed the thermostats twice due to sand we sucked up, (water pumps amazingly survived) and tried to calm the admiral down after the whole thing....lesson learned. Stray Cat doesn't tow unless extreme danger is iminent.

Enjoy your night on the hook, it sounds like you have good company.

 

[Presentation]

Nice write up. Thank you.

 

[ChuckW]

I want to be clear that I am not judging you nor saying you did the wrong thing in your area and in your situation.

By us we have no professional towing service. Law enforcement is spread thin and their boats are small, well, smaller than mine.

By us we would have gotten a dozen or so guys and pushed the darn thing to deeper water, hopefully with the waves not against.

I would have been on the radio rounding up then volunteers. Heck, I have been rounded up several times to help others.

I may be a bit jaded right now. I watched a video today of a Good Samaritan that helped a person being robbed, got stabbed and the surveillance camera recorded person after person walking past as the person died from the stabbing. One person actually took a photo of the injured person with a cell phone camera as they passed and did not help. WTF? If I was there I would have helped the person then kicked the ass of the person who took then photo even if it meant I was headed to the slammer.

I best say living right where I am. I would not fit in elsewhere.

I hear you... and in general agree. Too many bystanders and not enough people helping out. For what it's worth, my thought process on this was:
1.) No one's life was in jeopardy and the boat was hard aground with no reports of damage.
2) I was alone and had no help onboard to monitor water depth, assist with securing a line all while I piloted the boat.
3.) They had already called Sea Tow.
4.) I concluded the safest thing for all involved was to stay on station and await Sea Tow.

The fact that Sea Tow never came (don't know if the police, CG or boater intervened on that one...) :huh: and the Police arrived instead was an outcome not requested nor expected.

The point being, each situation warrants analysis, sometimes quick gut reactions are needed and some times prudent objective analysis is needed.

 

[Stray Cat]

Maybe the cops came because they thought they beached it because they were sauced...

 

[Gofirstclass]

Tough call on this one...do you stand by in case emergency help is needed or get more involved and try to tow them off?

If I were there and on an outboard powered boat I'd probably have tried to work my way in to get a line to them. With my boat (draws 3') I doubt I'd have done that.

We don't have a tow service in our area and I end up towing 1-2 boats a summer. Not usually long distances, but I'm glad to be able to help out.

Towing can be hazardous to both boats and all passengers involved. If you don't know HOW to tow you're better off not towing.

Y'all done good by standing by for them.

 

[Bridog]

Good job Alegrias!! I'll probably get crap for this but.... I wouldn't have thought to put a lifejacket on while my boat was sitting in 2 feet of water.

 

[CKL]

Good Job! :smt038

Help was on the way and there was no existing or imminent threat of physical injury. You continued to hold a position to provide additional help if it became necessary until they were afloat. I think you rendered proper assistance.

Chapmans says the first rule of seamanship in this case is to not join the other craft in its trouble (p. 364).

 

[Bel_Mar_Pointe]

What an eventful evening. I think you were very wise to handle the situation as you did. My wife and I rendered assistance last Memorial Day to a stranded boater, a 60's aged man, a young lady, a guy about 25 ish, and a + - 2 yr old baby on board. No cell phone, or vhf, with a busted outboard and one oar...The sun was setting and I felt the need to tow them to safety. He told me there was plenty of water to get him back to his dock. I followed his instructions and the water kept getting more shallow until the bow of our boat came up, we stopped, and he ran into the back of our swimplatform. That was it, I was done being a nice guy...we cut him lose and he drifted toward his dock maybe 100 yards away.

Buffed the gelcoat to get out the scratch, changed the thermostats twice due to sand we sucked up, (water pumps amazingly survived) and tried to calm the admiral down after the whole thing....lesson learned. Stray Cat doesn't tow unless extreme danger is iminent.

Enjoy your night on the hook, it sounds like you have good company.

Been there....done that and agree totally. Next time I'll tow you to the NEAREST safe port if warranted, but that's all you get.

 

[tcason]

My insurance does not allow any towing - at least that is the line I use.

I carry unlimited towing from Boat US - If I am dumb enough to get in shallow or have engine trouble - I will rely on the professionsals to bail me out safely.

To be honest I don't know that many boaters that I would want or trust to have tow me if I do need it.

 

[Presentation]

My insurance does not allow any towing - at least that is the line I use...

Nice.

 

[skolbe]

If I am dumb enough to get in shallow or have engine trouble - I will rely on the professionals to bail me out safely.

In the area we boat - there are many shallow spots that shift - so people do get stuck - If I am in shallow unfamiliar water - I have out charts and I am idling. I have towed people in a few times - but only to areas I am comfortable. We don't have many tow options in our area.

 

[wetpaint]

So how was your night??????

 

[Stray Cat]

So how was your night??????

Yeah, hope the pup didn't get seasick! :grin:

 

[ChuckW]

So how was your night??????

Yeah, hope the pup didn't get seasick! :grin:

Nope, the pup is an water dog. He can't get enough of the boat, beach and waves. He'll run into the waves and lay down and let them crash over his head. Goofy dog...:grin:

The night was great... the winds kicked up which only added to the lapping of ripples against the hull. I love that sound to fall asleep to...

Back out tonight, in Pelican Bay. 20 or more boats at anchor, beach bonfire going, full moon, and having another peacefull evening.

The admirals away on a business trip, can you tell? I'm on the computer :smt089