Been sailing most of my life, these days we go more in the winter,
sometimes 9 days at a time.
On three occasions now have been caught up in 11 foot seas,
At that time we don a harness connected to a line
going from the front Of the boat to the back.
At one time have actually participated in saving a mans life
in a dinghy adrift in high seas at 3 in the morning.
He felt it necessary to re-locate his anchor.(Too close
to the rocks as the tide lowered.)As he replaced one of
his two anchors
and let go of the anchor rode, the Island canyon winds
where too much as he tried to row his way back, drifting,
drifting farther out and yelling loudly HEEEEEEEELP!!!
We were awakened to his cries and went into action.
On the radio we contacted a dive boat in the next cove
downwind. They went out looking with search lights and 30
divers onboard located, rescued this man whose only crew mate
onboard ( wife ) didn't even know how to
turn on the radio much less what channel (freq.) to use.
With 40 mph winds and gusts to 60,the conditions that
night (morning) were not favorable.
Because we were there ,because they were there ,
that man is alive to day. He made a wrong decision !
long story.!!!!!!!!
In bad weather we have rubber suites and boots also GPS,
plus an excessive amount of beer / margies to get us through.
I know personally of two other boats that have had the weather
turn on them and have ship-wrecked on Santa Cruz .
May-Day Call's where heard,
No lives were lost, Boats were destroyed.Lee.
Our biggest EMERGENCY!,
Picture on the right, our prize catch winner of the day. Big Halibut.
The fish was put in the holding tank (cockpit floor) While a picture was being taken,
just out of camera's view finder the door began to shut (as the boat rocked)and slammed down on the big toe practically severing it.
TEN HOURES to the nearest hospital.
Sailed on into the night arriving the mainland at about 11 pm
Off to the
hospital we go.
Got it sewed back on, they gave us pain killers and back out to the islands we go. Notice in the picture left the the big toe was back where it belongs.
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