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Attacked by a Power Boat!

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/14/2008 : 11:44:14

I've been thinking about this all weekend. I am deeply offended.

Saturday I was motorsailing home from San Diego. I was about 1/2 way between San Diego's Point Loma and Mission Bay. I was in 160 feet of water and just outside the extensive kelp beds. I was about 2 miles north of Point Loma and 2.5 miles south of Mission Bay. I was on the route between the two, but not at a point where anyone on autopilot would be changing course. Any course change here would drive you right into the kelp and then up onto the beach.

I was motor sailing with both main and jib up, and motor ticking over to help me make about 4 knots and charge the batteries (running my new electric cooler all day).

I watched a very large power boat coming up from astern. He was going to pass about 200 yards outside of me. It was about 85 feet, two deck levels, with a fly bridge on top. In the fly bridge I could see several young men and some women. A young man was at the helm. The boat was doing about 20 knots. There was enough distance, I was concerned about the wake, but not overly.

When this boat was about 300 yards from me, the young man at the helm changed course DIRECTLY towards me. The bow was pointing right at my eye. He did not slow down. I watched, and began to get concerned about a collision. I took my boat off autopilot.

As they got closer, I got more concerned. I turned down to put my stern to them even though I was running into thick kelp.

When they were about 10 feet from me (and running 20 knots) they went back on their original course, giving me a 6 foot wall of breaking white water across my stern.

Nothing happened. I rode it out, was driven deeply into the kelp, then came back up on course, and then ate their stern wake. I did not catch the CF numbers or a boat name. I was too busy trying to save my life and my boat.

I watched them for a long time to see if they did it to any other boats - they did not. I expected them to go into Mission Bay. The ran up to La Jolla area, then I lost track of them. They did not come back, I'm sure they did eventually go into Mission Bay.

If they had made another pass to try to sink me I was going to call a May Day on the radio.

I thought a lot that if I had been carrying a firearm I would have put a few shots into their hull right at the waterline.

Indiscipline 1978 FK SR #398

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 15:11:43

That's a terrible ordeal. If it is possible, I would go ahead and file a preliminary report with the Coast Guard or other appropriate authority, to get on record. Then update the report with the boat id and name if you ever see them again. I expect that you'll remember the boat if you ever do see it again. Keep a camera on board, maybe a disposable in a waterproof case?

Edited by - dmpilc on 07/14/2008 15:12:50

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 15:20:44

Wow! ...that was worse than when I was attacked by a police boat! (...his mistake!) Glad you weren't packing heat--that could've backfired on you, figuratively speaking.

I'd still report this to the Coast Guard and your marine police, with as much detail as you can provide about the boat, time, location, people aboard, etc. It could match up with some other incidents and help the good-guys nail the bad-guys. Most big high-speed stinkpots have some distinctive design elements, and they were close enough that you might even be able to identify some people. Wish you'd gotten a name off the transom, but I'm glad you're home safe!

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 15:36:58

Is it at all possible that from up on the bridge the captain did not see you? Sounds incredibly obnoxious otherwise and worthy of a serious complaint to the CG.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 15:37:28

Whenever something like that is reported, I always wonder if the horn would do any good?

I keep out disposable air horn close to the cabin steps port inside, but I doubt I would ever get it out in time if I were at the helm.

Would he have hit you had you not taken evasive manoeuvres?

Paul

Edited by - on

johnsonp
Admiral

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USA
606 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 15:47:14

Jim
Sunday I was heading home when I saw this situation starting to develop so I grabed my camera.

At the last second he turned and my stomach was in my throat but every thing came out good.

It seems power boats have to get so close and they do and they always change course at the last minute.

Sometimes the small boats get swamped from the wakes.
It seems there will always be that 5% of boaters making the headlines.

paulj

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 15:57:26

Sometimes you just wish you had an RPG.

I'd be willing to bet this wasn't the first time this guy's done this to another boat. Maybe the CG already knows who he is and is waiting for that next report to nail him.

We always keep our air horn in the starboard coaming pocket, and it's rare that our camera isn't on deck. An AVI of this guy doing it to you would be pretty good evidence, but tough to do while you're trying to fight for control of your boat and worried about dying.

Edited by - delliottg on 07/14/2008 16:00:25

Even Chance
Captain

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USA
393 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 16:36:53

I think I would have fired my flare gun at him.

Talk to the CG.

Edited by - on

ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 17:20:39

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 ...Glad you weren't packing heat--that could've backfired on you, figuratively speaking.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I'm with Dave, in a few weeks you'll hopefully say "I'm glad we went our separate ways and I no loger have to think about it". Like the time an old lady almost backed into the shopping cart with my kids in it and I spent two days thinking what I should have done to her car.

I am definitely in the "call CG" camp though. I am personally starting that policy next time my daughter is on board. Enough with having to push her to the floor of the cockpit so she will not become airborn (and that in a town with a small and considerate power boat population; unfortunately I have to get out in the ICW).

I also read somewhere (here?) a good idea is to call Securite on 16 with the boat's name. A few of those apparently puts one on the CG's radar.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 17:46:28

No, I'm sure they saw me. They changed course directly towards me on purpose. I had both sails up and I was to their east (the sun was to the west). I am confident it was a deliberate act.

It was hard to beleive it was even happening at the time, I did not have time to get the air horn, I was busy riding out the wake.

I wish I had a boat name or CF number.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 18:00:33

PS I don't have weapons, I don't have any on board, and I would never have fired a shot at that boat. But I contemplated it.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 19:11:20

If some of the folks in the motor boats are crazy enough to motor their boat at high speed toward a sailboat when unprovoked then shooting flares or other arms at them may provoke them to complete madness. Why take the chance?

Reporting, camera shots are good ideas to deal with these issues.

Safety is the main focus when in harms way.

Deric

Edited by - on

Even Chance
Captain

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USA
393 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 19:45:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Deric
 If some of the folks in the motor boats are crazy enough to motor their boat at high speed toward a sailboat when unprovoked then shooting flares or other arms at them may provoke them to complete madness. Why take the chance?

Reporting, camera shots are good ideas to deal with these issues.

Safety is the main focus when in harms way.

Deric
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You're right, of course.

But I think I would spend a day checking out marinas in Mission Bay looking for that boat.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 20:43:00

Jim I have have several similar situations with power boats. They have the entire ocean, why do they need to come right up to me, except to create a huge wake and mess with me. One time it was so bad, my dog, sitting on the bow, was knocked off in the ocean. Buddy had on a life vest and I was able to get him back on board but I was so mad. Why do they have to be such jerks.
Steve A

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 20:57:23

BTW Jim... an 85' boat at 20 knots, 10 feet from you? Their bow spray would fill your cockpit. If you report it, be sure you aren't exaggerating the numbers too much...

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2008 : 21:38:44

It occurs to me Jim that you work for a law enforcement agency. Maybe you should talk about this at work. You'd be amazed at how much detail a good investigator can help you remember that you think you were too busy to recall.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2008 : 09:50:37

All right Dave, 20 feet, maybe 25.

It was a 6 foot wall of breaking white water from the bow wake.

I had the stern wake a few moments later.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2008 : 20:32:48

If it was that serious and apparently deliberate, I would have called the CG immediately... based on the size of the boat I'd think they could track it on radar intercept it in one of their RIBs.

Lots of the time duty is pretty boring for the Ccoasties, they'd probably relish an opportunity for a little action... and it sounds like this jerk deserved a little attention. (that's probably what he was looking for anyway)

Edited by - on

pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2008 : 11:27:57

Hi Jim,

I can't help but wonder if the boat was stolen. If so, maybe the police know something about it.

I can't imagine the owner of a very expensive boat, driving it like that. So recklessly.

A-few years ago my dock neighbors boat was stolen. The theives trashed the boat and spent the day joyriding in it and then returned it to the slip. No Witnesses ARGGGGG!

PW

Edited by - pwhallon on 07/20/2008 11:29:42

Alan Clark
Captain

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406 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2008 : 08:08:12

OK Here is MY theory why the stink potters get so close and do foolish/dangerous moves.... #1). The Boats we sail are "Pretty" and we went to show everyone on board how pretty they are! #2). I do NOT have the Mental skills that Sailors do to learn how to sail so I am JEALOUS
#3). I as a stink potter have penis envy..You as a sailor have a "BIG STICK" and I do NOT! #4). You as a sailor have LOT of Class and I Do Not and can only muddle through to try to complicate life for you-Envy/jealousy! Wether this is true or not I share this when people
on our boat when we get buzzed by powerboats.

Makes me feel better anyway!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2008 : 08:25:16

On a typical weekend, I can't count the number of times a powerboat will go out of his way and alter course to pass in front of my bow when they simply could have maintained a straight line course to pass harmlessly well astern of me. I've yet to figure this one out.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2008 : 08:57:40

Don, maybe they think you'd rather take their wake on the bow than on the stern quarter. (They don't know you like to surf

)

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2008 : 12:05:06

I've always wanted to name a boat DO NOT APPROACH with large lettering.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2008 : 12:36:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redeye
 I've always wanted to name a boat DO NOT APPROACH with large lettering.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

With a "Toxic Waste" banner flying from the yardarm, aarrrgh!

Edited by - on

crystal_blue
1st Mate

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USA
70 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2008 : 13:26:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Don, maybe they think you'd rather take their wake on the bow than on the stern quarter<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Maybe I shouldn't admit here to being an occasional stinkpotter (my dad has one); but when I'm on an intersecting path with a slow fishing boat I always try to cross well ahead of it for the reason Dave mentions (as well as in order to avoid any trailing lines). It's become a sort of habit--having only very limited sailing experience, it frankly never occurred to me that a sailboat might prefer I do the opposite.

--Jim

Edited by - crystal_blue on 07/21/2008 13:27:34

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