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Had an interesting event occur on Saturday

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/03/2012 : 13:54:33

Had an interesting event occur on Saturday.

But here is the question first; does anybody know of a source for Coast Guard incident reports?

We were in our power boat, anchored by an island in the bay. Late in the afternoon, much like everyday in the summer, we get a very stiff sea breeze. This combined with a westerly breeze, to begin with, was blowing pretty good. We were anchored in the lee of the island to be protected from the now breaking waves. There were a few sailboats out but most of them were heading in. I noticed a 22-24’ sailboat running downwind, however, his jib was flying free, both jib sheets were also flying to leeward. His mainsail was raised slightly but most of it was wrapped around the mast. He had an outboard down and it looked to be running.

As he came closer to the island and he got into the calmer waters behind it, he turned and headed up into the wind. His headsail looked to be slightly rolled up but it was clear it was stuck. The young man went from bow to stern to try to fix his predicament. Then things went from bad to worse as his now running outboard picked up some of the lines now in the water. The wind of course now started to blow the boat downwind. Downwind from the island we were anchored at, is a bird sanctuary wrapped in rip-rap. He was now headed right for it. No motor, no working headsail and a mainsail piled up on the mast. We had watched this guy for about 20-30 minutes hoping he would get things under control. He did not. He had a few opportunities to get himself under control, but failed to take the appropriate action.

Finally, the wife said we have to do something. The problem was, it was clear this guy had no experience, and I didn’t want him to make us part of his problem.

I picked up the VHF and hailed the Coast Guard. We reported what we saw. During the conversation, a patrol boat from MacDill Air Force base reported that they had a visual on the now, very close to the rocks, sailboat. He and us headed toward the floundering sailboat. The USAF boat told the sail-boater to drop his anchor, which after a more than a few minutes he did. They then prepared to raft up to him. We circled around for a few minutes and then headed in. We think this kid would have ended up on the rocks. We don’t know. But it would be nice to know the whole story.

Davy J

2005 Gemini 105Mc
PO 1987 C25 #5509 SR/SK
Tampa Bay

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2012 : 17:16:19

I doubt the USCG filed a report, since by your account they probably didn't get involved. The only place I see their reports is on http://www.soundingsonline.com/ and in their excellent magazine. They generally only report actual rescues.

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2012 : 18:27:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I doubt the USCG filed a report, since by your account they probably didn't get involved. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
No Coast Guard involvement. Other than my call to them. The worst part was that this guy did not seem to know his imminent danger. We have speculated that 1) He may have stolen the boat. Or 2) Took out father's boat and got into trouble.

Wished we had caught the incident on camera.

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2012 : 04:40:37

Well Davy I'm surprised... I thought you would have put a knife in your teeth, backstroked over and cut his prop free, run up the ladder and secured the sails, cleaned up the lines and cracked a beer.
I guess we are a little older.

Times have changed... so you cracked another beer and watched the poor soul almost run the sailboat up on the rocks. ( and suggested to your wife that she hop in and give him a hand )

There but the grace of God go I..

I've had a few days when things almost got away. I was just telling my Grlfrnd that I needed to get my Ginsu knife with lanyard rigged and ready so she could go over the side and cut the prop loose.

We had Good Wind this Weekend!

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2012 : 05:32:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I thought you would have put a knife in your teeth, backstroked over and cut his prop free, run up the ladder and secured the sails, cleaned up the lines and cracked a beer.
I guess we are a little older. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I did go home and watch,... Pirates of the Caribbean......does that count

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2012 : 06:39:28

You had a better show than anything Disney can muster..

A real Drama... and possibly interactive...

I anchored up in the lee of a small spit of an island this weekend and spent the night. wind at 10 all night. The next morning a big boat drove up and attempted to anchor between me and the shore.. and I knew he would not make it from the word go, so it was just amusing. He motored away after two attempts, and watching me take his picture as he maneuvered.

We have such predictable weather and sand banks that some of the sailboats will drive right up to the bank, drop the anchor and back out and drop a stern anchor. Pretty funny. Just like a powerboat. It's just wrong. I would not be able to sleep.

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2012 : 08:57:26

Davy,

Another Beer Can Island incident? Thought only the stink potters got into trouble over there...

sten

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2012 : 12:17:28

We just watch and smile.

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2012 : 13:08:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Another Beer Can Island incident? Thought only the stink potters got into trouble over there.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yep, Beer Can Island, AKA Pine Key. If I had video, for every bonehead move I've seen here, I could have my own TV show. If possible we try to visit during the week.

On Sunday had to visit the Harborage Marina, But not for fun. As we motored down after crossing the bay, I heard a strange grinding noise coming from my starboard motor. Power steering had developed a leak and had to get some fluid.

Edited by - Davy J on 06/04/2012 13:31:54

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