First things first. I would like to say Thank You to the USCG for being there last night. You made that last 15 miles easier for all on board.
For only the 2nd time in 20 years on the water, I had to call for help. We were 20 miles from the rocks, making 20 knots in sloppy seas, when we hit an odd wave. something didn’t feel right to the boat owner, so I went and looked in the inspection plates…Uh-Oh!!! water almost to the top of the batteries, and no idea where it is coming from. We have both pumps running, and I had Joey close all the seacocks. I made the call to CG, and everyone in lifejackets, flare kit out.The CG checked on us every ten minutes, and sent the small boat out to meet us. They picked us up about 12 miles out, and followed us all the way in. We noticed that we could get ahead of the flooding by only running 13 knots. I did not like the idea of us, Joey , Me, my son Ryan and his friend Tommy(first trip offshore) having to go into 59 degree water. It really made the difference having them there. We are still not sure where the leak came from, and Joe will have someone look at it. I still think it was a strainer or fitting on the seacock. So to all who venture forth in small boats, check your flares, lifejackets, have a plan, and know how to call the CG. Thanks again to any CG members on this board.
I almost forgot, we caught a bunch of fish…including an early season Dolphin in 65 degree water 120’. I’ll post the pics later
Paul
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
Glad y’all are safe. This should serve as an early season reminder to us all. Check out everything and be prepared for the worst. Paul’s crew couldn’t have been in better hands.
■■■■ Paul. That’s like my worst nightmare. 59 degree water is deadly. Glad you guys made it back safe! Also, you are right about the safety equipment. I am beefing up the stuff on my boat too to include personal strobes, maybe self-inflating jackets, etc. One day maybe even personal EPIRBs, etc. Anyone who runs a boat at night should be prepared to be found floating at night.
I won’t lie to anybody, I was puckering! I walked to the back, and water was up to the rubrail at one point. It was close. The worst part for me, was having my son onboard. He’s skinny as a rail, and hypothermia would set in fast. It hit me last night when I got to the landing…Went to take off my slickers, and found that I was completley soaked underneath.
Thanks for the compliments, I am glad I was there too.
Jason…FYI, I was going to strap the dolphin to my lifejacket if we went down. I was not giving up that prize!
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
Way to keep your Sh*& together…most people frrak for a while before they get thier heads straight.
I think this could be used to teach your son a serious lesson in being prepared for anything. I am glad you guys made it home safe and I’m sure those fish are going to taste that much better.
Peace And Ease
Everyone should believe in something, I believe I’ll go fishing !!!
I had a similar situation but not as severe. We stopped at the Chas 60 to jig up some live bait and I noticed the bilge pump was running. I opened the access plate and had about a foot of water in the bilge. The live well pump broke off and water was coming in fast. Simple fix just turned off the valve. Thank God for brass valves.
Since then, I replaced the access covers with the clear ones. Now I can keep a close eye on what is going on under my feet.
Glad you made it back safe. That could have gone wrong fast.
“To preserve liberty it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.” – Senator Richard Henry Lee, 1788
not sure how helpful this would have been, but i have a simple inflatable raft (for 4 adults) and oars on board in addition to other safety stuff (flare gun, life jax, xtra handheld gps and radio, jug of water, xtra clothes) in case. hopefully would have time to get it blown up (i have a portable electric inflater) and if not, can blow it up while in the water and then hopefully get my butt out of the water. it is not one of the 2k autom inflatable deals, but I guess it would be better than nothing. just my $.02 from an admitted rookie.
Thank the Good Lord there was an experienced capt aboard.Everyone is right.Winter is no time to have to ditch.Good job under pressure there,Sells and CONGRATZ* to the USCG!!My boat goes in for svc today and I just added replacing thru-hulls to the list.
“That one-armed man said he caught one this long!”-Papa Sid,1975
All the money spent on boats, fishing gear, gas, dockage, etc…and it seems nobody spends any money on a stowaway life raft?
We used to run without one, or even an epirb for that matter…now that I am used to having the security of a life raft and epirb on board the thought of going offshore in the winter without one is inconceivable. Just the piece of mind is well worth the money, let alone the value if it saved you and your crews life.
Glad you all made it back ok, must have been spooky…especially with the kid on board.
