ChuckW
Active Member
- Mar 6, 2009
- 1,487
- Boat Info
- 2007 RoadKing Tri-Axle Trailer towed by a 2013 Yukon XL K2500
- Engines
- 496 MAG Bravo III
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....
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....