Danger On The High Seas
As some of you know, Darren and I like to fish. Darren's boat was being a bit tempermental this season and not starting. After doing some work on it we got it running in his driveway on Tuesday and made a plan to fish on Thursday (last night June 23rd). Even tho it was raining and crappy the weather report for Boston harbor wasn't too bad so we decided to go. Right when we launched the boat wouldn't start. Since we had just done it Tuesday we had it running in no time. We cruised out to our spot at Deer Island. When we got there, we encountered 2-4 foot swells. For those of you that don't know, that's pretty big when your in an 18 foot boat. Our first reaction was to get the f*** out of there. We should have listened to ourselves but we didn't. Instead we said let's give it a shot. We anchored up and right away I get a hit. My line breaks. WTF? This is brand new 20 pound test braided line. The same stuff I always use. D catches a fish. We didn't weigh it or measure it but it was a good fish. I hook up and break off again. WTF? That's 2 lures. The first one I just bought for 8 bucks that day. I broke off one more time before switching rods and adding a leader to help offset the strain on the line. D catches another fish. I hook up 2 more times but lose both fish. Meanwhile a couple of waves have crashed over the back of the boat and it's filling up with water faster than the bilge can pump it out. We agree that we should move the boat a little ways down where it wasn't as rough. The motor won't start. We take off the cover and give the starter a few taps with a wrench. It cranks then stops...cranks then stops. The whole time waves are crashing over the back. As we are giving it another crank, the nut on top of the assembly fly's off and into the water. we are all done. We pull up the anchor and set the boat adrift in hopes that it will turn sideways to the waves. It did. D calls 911 as I continue to bail. The 911 dispatcher connects D to the harbor master (Boston police) and they conference in Sea-tow. Sea tow cost's $300 an hour from the time the guy gets in his boat. What else can we do? Do you take Amex? Yes. Ok come get us. Sea tow wants the cc number. I'm standing in water over my ankles inside a boat and I have to dig out my wallet so D can read him the number and you know what my first thought is????? Don't drop the coach. Can you believe that s***? So the Boston police boat shows up and ties us off to wait for sea-tow. Have I mentioned that for the first time in forever I'm feeling seasick? No I didn't. The whole time that we are out there, my stomach was doing flips. Once we tied up to the police boat we really started rocking. I'm proud to say I didn't blow chunks. So sea tow shows up, hooks us up to his boat with a long rope and tows us back to the ramp. We put the boat on the trailer and head home. I'll admit I was scared but neither of us ever panicked. When I woke up this morning I had a feeling somewhere between lucky to be alive and stupid for not turning back when we should have. If anyone would like to kick in for that tow bill donations are accepted (just kidding) So once again D and I are right on the edge without going over. Anybody out on the ocean regularly might wanna get a sea tow membership for 169 a year. It could cost a ton without it. Lucky we were close to the launch.
I think their primary mission is to save your life but if you request that they save your vessel...that's gonna cost ya.
I've been racking my brain about that no money thing. The police must have to get you safely to land but I'm thinking they might just dump you at the nearest spot
So, no money no tow? Wow, that seems a little extreme!
yeah one engine is not enuff
glad u guys ok
Thanks. No kidding and it happens fast
Glad you guys are okay! Just goes to show, danger is never as far away as you think.