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Small Acts Of Heroism

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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/02/2005 : 23:50:31

This story was emailed to me and made an impact. Read and enjoy.

Bill Holcomb - Snickerdoodle #4839

SMALL BUT GLOWING ACT OF HEROISM
By Bob Hale

July 20, 2004. Around six o'clock in the afternoon of July 13 Marilynn Hale and I returned to the dock at Friday Harbor, foot-weary and mentally worn out. We'd begun and ended the day hoofing around Friday Harbor, calling on customers and gathering information and advertising commitments for the 2005 Waggoner. The middle of the day, from late morning until late afternoon, had been spent bussing across the island to Roche Harbor, meeting with Roche Harbor management, having lunch, hiking out to the Mausoleum for new pictures, and catching the 3:00 p.m. bus to the new (1999) and remarkable Lavender Farm in the middle of the island. Finally, back to Friday Harbor on the 4:30 bus for a last meeting with a customer and some quick shopping at King's Market. Then out to the boat for a welcome drink, some solitude and something simple for supper.

As we walked down to the dock where we were moored, however, we were greeted by a group from the other boats. They were chatting around a glass-topped table on the terrace, sipping cocktails or wine they had brought up, and enjoying potluck hors d'oeuvres. "Get a drink and join us," they shouted. Oh, no, we groaned through our fatigue, but what could we do but accept the invitation. We dug out a bag of Doritos and a jar of japaleno cheese dip and carried them up to the party, along with something with ice in it to combat thirst.

The air was warm even though the sun had dropped behind the hill, the conversation was lively and good, and we decided we were glad we had been dragged up there to socialize. In fact, it was very relaxing and we were having a good time.

One person was not having a good time, however, and that was the skipper of the sailboat circling between our dock and the private marina to the north. A strong current was running, and the skipper had no one else on board to help with a landing. Back and forth he went, probably waiting for the current to slacken.

After about the third pass, one of our group, Julie Riley, stood up and quietly went missing. A few moments later we spotted her at the private marina next door. She had climbed up the hill, walked north along the road, and found her way back down to the sailboat's dock. And now she stood at the end of the finger float where the sailboat wished to land, waving to the skipper, ready to take a line to help him in. He approached, she took the bow line, then the stern line. She horsed the boat against the current up to the dock, and made the lines fast to the dock cleats. A short time later Julie was back at our gathering as if nothing had happened.

But something indeed had happened, something important. Alone among a group of experienced boat people, Julie had seen a situation that needed help and she had done something about it. I should have done something about it, but I rationalized that I was tired from a long day, and did nothing. Now I'm embarrassed for myself. To me, what Julie did, and the way she did it, was heroic, and I told her so at the time. So here's to Julie Riley, who recognized what needed doing, and without fuss or fanfare, went and did it.

Edited by - on

byh2os
1st Mate

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USA
32 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2005 : 08:35:07

Great story! I'll raise my glass to Julie also.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2005 : 09:18:06

Thanks Bill for the heartwarming account and reminder about being considerate.

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2005 : 17:57:21

I'd like to add my thanks to someone that goes out of their way to make life easier for someone else, friend or stranger. This a true examples of moral behavior is becoming rare to see.

Edited by - on

johnsonp
Admiral

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USA
606 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2005 : 20:34:12

Bill
The last few years I have been going up to that area, San Jauns and northward, staying a month, somebody always comes to help you doc your boat, sail or power boat.
It seems to me it is an unwritten rule.
I would come back here to the Sacramento area and everyone is looking the other way or does not want to get involved as they would say.
My wife and I always looked forward to the nitely gatherings at the doc.

Any way, my Wife and I just purchased a home in Anacortes, Washington, seems the people are so nice and friendly there it's like going back 40 years in time. Escrow closes Nov 10 2005, just in time for Thankagiving.
Will keep my boat at Cape Sante.
paulj 250wk #719

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5913 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2005 : 21:21:14

At Brookville Lake people have always followed the "unwritten rule" that Paul described, helping each other into their slips as a matter of course. It's a nice way to make newcomers feel welcome, and it encourages everyone to socialize. It doesn't seem to be that way on the Chesapeake. People don't seem to offer to help each other dock. I offered to help one couple whose boat was getting blown sideways to where they wanted to go, and the husband gladly accepted, but the wife seemed embarrassed that they needed help. People at Brookville weren't embarrassed to need help. We thought everyone needed help at some time or another. I'm going to love the Chesapeake, but there's a lot that I miss about Brookville Lake.

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frankr
Captain

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256 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2005 : 21:25:20

Great example of decency. In the spring the dock across from us has several transient or short term stays where boats are launched. I probably saved 3 marriages this spring by offering assistance to couples trying to put up sails or climb the mast. Most of the boaters (sail & power) on our dock are helpful to each other.

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cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2005 : 22:01:20

There are some helpful people in some parts of the Chesapeake - at least at my marina. If someone is coming its courtesy to stand by in case they need help. We tend not to give help unless its requested, but we're there in case we're needed.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2005 : 11:38:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cathluk
 If someone is coming its courtesy to stand by in case they need help. We tend not to give help unless its requested, but we're there in case we're needed.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
That is my style. Of course if they have guests on board I usually tell them they are being filmed and graded on the docking.

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At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2005 : 16:28:29

What's the big deal? In my part of the country when departing, or especially when coming back to the dock, you can always count on a helping hand or two.

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Todd Frye
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2005 : 15:06:18

Just returned from eight days sailing in Croatia. When docking (stern first), fellow yachtsmen seem to prefer watching, rather than helping. This really bothered me at first, as my hometown buddies usually drop whatever they are doing, to “catch me” when I come in…and vice versa. I attributed this rude indifference to the political, social and language barriers in the big ACI marinas of the Dalmatian Coast. However, on one occasion, after successfully tying up to the quay in Vela Luka, (Korcula), Kapitan Peter noticed another German flagged Bavaria struggling with a crosswind and went over to help. This unusual act of kindness seemed to spread to the other boats at the quay, and soon, many sailors were found assisting tired crew as they came in to dock at Vela Luka. For that one night we shared a unique camaraderie that could be felt, as gifts of bread, vegetables and fruit were exchanged from boat to boat, in gratitude for service rendered. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Todd Frye

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2005 : 21:03:35

The part I find inspiring is that Julie was not just standing on the dock when this happened--she was some distance away, involved in something else, recognized the sailor's dilemma, and "went missing" from the party, hiking some distance to help. We need more Julies in a lot of the predicaments in this life!

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 11/08/2005 21:04:09

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