Oops

Notice the PFD (personal flotation device) this guy is wearing.

What could happen?

Last Night's Tow - Another Lost Soul

The call from Center came in about 17:15 as I was contemplating dinner. A non member in a 30' Catalina, had a line fouled in the wheel (prop.) They passed me his phone number he said he was in the doldrums off Lawrence Pt - about an hour from Friday Harbor, and he wanted to go to Skyline Marina in Anancortes. Great, another trip home.

I indicated that our rates were $225 an hour and we were probably looking at a 4 - 5 round trip. He had his sails up, but was only making 1.5 kts, and said he'd wait a few hours and call me back. I indicated that our rates went up after official sunset another $25 ha hour.

Arriving at Lawrence Pt. in 55 minutes there was no boat. I called him on the phone to inquire about his position. He said he was a mile north. I asked him if he had a GPS and if it was on. Yes and yes, however he didn't know how to use it. I saw a few boats on the horizon and headed that direction, and found him 3.5 miles away, just north of Clark and Barnes Islands.

Mentioning that he has a mooring line wrapped around his wheel, he says NOT, and that he must have picked up a crab pot - never mind that crab season starts in July. I make reference to the taught line you can see off his starboard bow, and the conversation is over.

En route I call USMA grad Capt. Steve Partridge to see about mooring "Remedy" for the night. He is 1.5 miles away finishing his day aboard "Island Transporter." We chat for a while on the radio - our kids date each other. The tow is secure at 21:15, and Trish was waiting to pick me up.

That's the moon rising over Mt. Erie, on Fidalgo Island, as we arrive at Skyline Marina.

Rule #1 - Always know your location.

Captain Bligh's Logbook

I continued to endeavor to change the Tide of Affairs when Christian changed the Cutlass he had in his hand for a Bayonet that was brought to him' and holding me with a strong grip by the Cord that tied my hands' he continued to threaten me with instant death if I did not be quiet.- The Villains round me had their pieces Cocked & Bayonets fixed' and particular People were now called on to go into the Boat' and were hurried over the side' and with those people I concluded of course I was to be set a drift' I therefore in making another effort to bring about a change expressed myself loudly in such a a manner' as to be saluted with "blow his Brains out"

More HERE.

Friday Harbor Captain's Course

The next 100 ton Master's Course and OUPV (six pac) for Friday Harbor will begin on September 4, 2007. Your's truly will be the instructor. I am beginning my fifth season teaching in the San Juan Islands.

If you would like more info, email me HERE.

It takes all kinds

We keep the VHF Radio on 24/7. The calls to the Coast Guard amaze me sometimes. I just heard a call asking if the CG had a "Lost and Found." It seems that they had lost their kayak.

I've described the job of a Rescue Towboat Operator, as part firefighter, part ambulance chaser.

The ambulance chaser in me knows that Salvage is a part of the business that has huge potential and huge risk.

You can find a prior post on Salvage Law HERE.

Phony Capt. Gets 30 Months in Jail and Ordered to Pay $750,000

The U.S. Attorney's Office said that Gary O. Burnham, of Michigan City, Ind., was sentenced to serve 30 months in prison for operating as a ship's captain on a forged license, neglect of duty by a seaman resulting in the sinking of the M/V Margaret Ann, and negligently causing a diesel fuel spill in Lake Michigan. He was also ordered to pay $750,000 in restitution to Holly Marine Towing, the owner of the vessel that sank in Lake Michigan under Burnham's command. The sinking of the Margaret Ann caused a 250 gallon diesel spill in navigable waters. Commander Paul Mehler, III, Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Chicago "expects that this will send an important message to the entire marine community." The privilege to operate and maintain a vessel, whether commercial or recreational, should be taken very seriously by the licensed mariner.

The full story HERE.

Dept. of Justice Media Release HERE.

My Precocious Neighbor

That's Ellie and Buddy. They are dock neighbors and spend a number of weekends here at Shipyard Cove. We've been pals for three seasons.

It Was Ten Years Ago Today

George J. Rodriguez (April 21, 1912 - May 29, 1997)

I still love and miss him.

Ripped Off

At 17:45 we received a call from Vessel Assist Center about a jump start on Sucia Island (for a non member,) 18 miles from here. Center patches me through to the guy, and gives me his location and vessel description.

Arriving on the scene there is no 32' Maxium. As I spoke to the two other boaters in Shallow Bay, they indicate that the guy blasted out at full power about 20 minutes earlier.

I have his name and number. Justice will be served. He owes $618.75. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it really pisses me off.

Friday Harbor Tow

Moved a disabled boat from the UW Friday Harbor Labs to the Port of Friday Harbor, about 200 yards. A 1.5 hour job because he wasn't on the boat when I arrived.

Tow to Oak Harbor

I towed this boat just after the Coast Guard did a masterful job of pulling them off the rocks, see the video above. We are typically first on scene, but that was not the case on this one.

The family of four had lost power due to a line fouled in the prop (also referred to as a wheel.) When I asked why didn't they sail, they indicated that the sails were stuck (hum, all three?)

To make matters worse, these folks had their VHF and Nav instruments below at a traditional nav station, not at the helm, where they can be used in an emergency.


The story from the CG is HERE. I am the commercial assistance provider the story mentions.


Here we are about to go under the Deception Pass Bridge.

We got to Oak Harbor at 10:00 pm and I made it to Anacortes to spend the night at home around midnight.

Got back to the fuel dock in Friday Harbor at 08:00. "Remedy" burned 4.6 gph for the 10 hour trip.

See the route HERE.

Tues. 5/29/07 update. A post to the comments here indicates this story made Fox News. I don't do TV, and if I did, Trish would block Fox.

Dirty Fuel

A family of five aboard a 30' Sundowner Tug. A two foot chop and half a tank of fuel stirred up the tanks and clogged the filters. There were no spares aboard. He called from Flat Point in Upright Channel and I towed him to Friday Harbor.

God Bless the Tourists - Every One!

The brain trusts today (homies from the Bay Area,) had a 24' Sea Sport. Grandma's 87 yo BF was barking orders to the gang of five, plus three dogs.

This vessel has two inboard/outboard Volvo engines and a kicker. It seems as pops had busted a sheer pin in one of the transmissions, so one (0f the three) engines was not working. None the less they wanted to be towed to IMC on Lopez to have the boat fixed. And they wanted it done now. They had a charter fishing trip to catch on Blakley Island in a little over an hour. They had someone who was picking them up at the airport to make the four mile trip across the channel.

Moral of the story: Just because you have money, doesn't necessarily mean you have sense.

Got Crabs?

Chase does. That's Capt. Tim Delapp's dog. Seems as how some of the kids on the dock were messing around.

Delivery Boy

That's with an emphasis on BOY. This guy had fried a battery on his 30' Chris Craft at Parks Bay. I delivered a new one. He had a attitude and wanted me to install it, I didn't. He demanded a receipt for the battery (to insure we weren't ripping him off,) which a gladly produced.

When he asked if I could take his old battery, I told him we didn't have the required Haz Mat facilities.

Remeber your attitude with with the help, helps.

It Happens Every Year

Work boats break down, and ours at Vessel Assist are no exception. Tonight's run on "Vessel Assist Salvation," was the first of the season. She had broken a belt and overheated. I delivered the appropriate wrench and water.

That's USMA grad. Capt. Bill West, putting the belt back on. I got underway at 20:15 and was back before 21:00.

My turn will come.

Plover Ferry starts inaugural run this Friday

Plover captain Sam Clemens trains new deckhands
Alexandra Dolk, c., and Veronica Rooney
at Blaine harbor Tuesday. Photo by Tara Nelson

Blaine’s historic Plover Ferry will be starting its 11th summer season, beginning with its inaugural run at noon this Friday at Blaine Harbor at gate 2.

The ferry, built in 1944 for the Alaska Packer’s Association (APA) cannery at Semiahmoo’s Tongue Point, was originally a passenger ferry to transport cannery workers and visitors to and from the cannery from the Blaine harbor for 20 years.

In 1964, the boat’s passenger cabin was reduced to serve as a cannery harbor tug for the cannery’s waterfront activities, said Richard Sturgill, a long-time captain of the boat and founding director of the Drayton Harbor Maritime organization that helped get the Plover’s current operation off the ground. It has also been recognized by the National List of Historic Places as an official historic vessel, Sturgill said.

Captains Sturgill and Clemens are USMA grads of mine from a few years ago in Blaine.

See the Blaine WA, Northern Light story, by Tara Nelson HERE.

More info on the "Plover" HERE.

PS Express - "Olympas"

Capt. Roger Slade, a friend and colleague is Master of "Olympas," one of the whale watching boats of P.S. Express, based in Port Townsend, WA. Yesterday, it was his turn to by lunch.

Roger and I (or is that Roger and Me,) have on worked together in several ventures. We both are instructors for the United States Maritime Academy. We both operate for Vessel Assist; Roger in Port Townsend, and me here in and around the San Juans. We worked together in March on a salvage in the Hood Canal.

Several years ago, we delivered a sailboat down the coast to California on a ill fated trip.

Lost Racing Buoy

Received an email this morning from the Friday Harbor Sailing Club. If you're in the islands, please keep your eyes opened.

----------------------

BRIGHT ORANGE 5 FT TETRHEDRON BUOY

Used for sailboat race-course marking. Has black “TANBARK MARINE” stencil on it. Last seen Saturday afternoon May 19^th, on west coast of Lopez, outside of spit on west side of Fisherman Bay. Possibly stolen, or dragged its anchor.

Belongs to Friday Harbor Sailing Club.

Please call Bob Querry at 378-7053.

Gallery Boat

Local artist, author and friend, Peter Fromm operates his Gallery Boat in the summer season. Last weekend he participated in the Anacortes Waterfront Festival. This weekend he'll be at a show here in Friday Harbor. The balance of the season will see him at Reid Harbor on Stuart Island.

If you're in the hood, pay him a visit, and buy one of his fine prints. We have one he did of my Vessel Assist Boat, "Remedy."

You can visit Peter's web site HERE.

See some of Peter's literary work HERE.

Tow to Vancouver, BC

Towed a 2001, 36 Ted Brewer designed sloop to Vancouver (11.6 hrs.) The folks fed me and gave me a very nice tip. View here is just off the Lion's Gate Bridge.

Stolen

This 29' SeaRay, 2001; had been stolen from Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes. When the sheriff found her, she was at Olga, on Orcas Island, some 16 miles away, out of fuel and with a dead battery. I delivered the fuel ($5.00 a gallon) and provided the jump.

The Coast Guard is always warning for people not to leave their keys on the boat. Most people do. It could be a huge security risk.

As the boat is for sale, you can see her specs HERE.

National Maritime Day, 2007 - Today

Today, May 22, is National Maritime Day, set aside to honor current and former members of the United States Merchant Marine. President Bush issued a Proclamation marking this day.

"America has a proud maritime history, and the United States Merchant Marine has played a vital role in helping meet our country's economic and
national security needs. On National Maritime Day, we honor merchant mariners for their dedication to promoting commerce and protecting our
freedom.

During times of peace, the U.S. Merchant Marine helps ensure our economic security by keeping the oceans open to trade. Ships operated by
merchant mariners transport goods across our Nation's waterways and on the high seas around the world to connect American businesses and consumers
with valuable foreign markets and commodities. The skill and expertise of merchant mariners facilitates trade and helps to strengthen our economy."

To answer my friend Cherei's question in the comment section. 

The United States Merchant Marine is made up of the nation's civilian-owned merchant ships and the men and women that crew them. The merchant marine transports cargo and passengers during peace time. In time of war, the merchant marine^[1] is an auxiliary to the Navy, and can be called upon to deliver troops and supplies for the military.

The people of the merchant marine are called merchant mariners, and are civilian except in times of war when, in accordance with the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, they are considered military personnel.

More info on Wikipedia HERE.

A Year of Blogging

It's hard to believe, I started blogging a year ago today. After some 485 posts, and in excess of 264,000 visits, I am humbled.

You are probably aware that I migrated at short time ago from Yahoo 360 to this page. While Yahoo is still experiencing problems in beta, I am indebted to them for featuring my blog for seven weeks at the end of 2006. The friends and some 10,000 plus comments gave me a sense of community that is hard to believe.

The primary difference between Yahoo and Blogspot is that the later does not have the social networking feature. Social networking is a double edged sword. I love the attention, but hated the hounding of people that were just collecting "friends."

Keeping the blog on subject and developing content has been fun and at times challenging. Be sure to let me know if there's anything you'd like in the way of maritime information.

Last, but not least, thanks to Trish and my family for putting up with my blogging habit.

Fire consumes historic London ship

LONDON, England (CNN) -- The Cutty Sark, thought to be the world's only surviving 19th century tea clipper and a prime relic of the golden age of sail, was engulfed by flames Monday, causing extensive damage to one of London's most popular tourist attractions.

The blaze, which began before dawn and took 40 firefighters several hours to extinguish, is expected to drastically increase the cost of a $50 million three-year restoration that began in 2006. Police said the cause of the blaze was not known but was being treated as "suspicious."

Witnesses described flames leaping 20 feet (six meters) in the air, fanned by strong winds. Nearby residents were temporarily evacuated.

The clipper -- a very fast multi-masted sailing ship used for transporting high value goods such as tea and wool -- was once regarded as the pinnacle of merchant sail vessel development.

CNN Story HERE.

Additional Story HERE.

Official Cutty Sark site HERE.

I remember visiting the Cutty Sark, a marveling in the romance of the golden era of sailing.

Washington Marine Parks

Fossil Bay on Sucia Island is one of my favorite Washington Marine Parks. Wikipedia info on Sucia Island HERE.



Washington State has a fantastic series of Marine Parks for the use of boaters. One can anchor (free) or pay a small fee and use moorage facilities and most of the parks.

You can find more info HERE.

Additionally British Columbia has a series of Provincial Marine Parks as well. More info HERE.

A Bullwork Failing

"Oswell Foss," the 1940, 70' Tug owned by USMA grad, Capt Jim and Sue Ulmer, is prepared to have part of her bullworks repaired.

For mariners a bullwork is the solid fence that rises above the deck to keep personnel and cargo from going for a swim.

Wood boats require constant attention.

Wikipedia info on the Martin Luther hymn HERE.

Instrumental mp3 HERE.

A Typical Day in Friday Harbor, in 1.5 minute time lapse

How many times did a Washington State Ferry come to the dock?

Charter Boat Captain Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison

PORTLAND, OREGON – An Oregon charter fishing boat captain was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment today in federal court in Portland. Richard J. Oba, of Winchester Bay, was the owner and captain of the Sydney Mae II, a 38 foot boat Oba used to conduct fishing charters. On September 19, 2005, Oba steered the boat into dangerous waters after being warned to stay away by the U. S. Coast Guard. The boat was struck by large wave and sunk off the Umpqua River Bar, killing three passengers. Oba had pled guilty to three counts of Seaman’s Manslaughter, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1115.

Coast Guard info HERE.

Oba's support page HERE.

Juan de Fuca - the Greek

One of the trivia questions I ask in the Master's Class is, "What nationality was Juan de Fuca?"

The body of water that stretches from the Pacific some eighty miles to Whidbey Island is the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Weather in the strait can be treacherous. I know a number of folks that have sailed to Hawaii from here, and the worst part of the trip was in the strait.

Old Juan was actually a Greek. Apostolos Valerianos was in the employ of the Spanish Viceroy of Mexico (New Spain) to explore the Pacific Northwest in 1592. He was in search of the fabled Northwest Passage to Europe. Juan de Fuca was the name was know as to the Spanish.

After sailing back to Acapulco, Mexico, de Fuca was not rewarded by Spain for his journey, and his discovery of the strait was not entirely believed until Captain Vancouver retraced de Fuca's route 200 years later.

More info HERE.

Great info on local name origins HERE.

"Who the Hell is Wanda Fuca?" by G. M. Ford, a mystery. More info HERE.

Ham Radio Instrumental in Pacific Maritime Rescue

Being a mariner and a ham radio operator (WB6NAH) I found this story interesting.

---------------

NEWINGTON, CT, May 11, 2007 -- Amateur Radio played a critical role May 4 and 5 in rescuing two people from a foundering sailboat that had been en route to Colombia. Members of the Maritime Mobile Service Net (MMSN) and Intercontinental Net on 14.300 MHz were involved in getting the man and woman aboard the 35-foot s/v Sailabout to safety after they ran into trouble some 700 nautical miles southwest of the Galapagos Islands in the South Pacific.

The couple, identified as Gunnar Hansen and Grethe Haraldsen, both Norwegian nationals and neither an amateur licensee, put out a Mayday call on the Intercon/MMSN 14.300 MHz frequency the morning of May 4 after Sailabout sustained damage to its bow -- possibly as a result of losing a forestay, which helps to keep the mast upright -- and started taking on water. Thanks to its efficient pumps, the sailboat remained afloat.

Amateur Radio relays alerted the US Coast Guard at Alameda, California, to the Sailabout's predicament. At the Coast Guard's request, relayed via ham radio, Hansen set off the vessel's Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). Job says Henderson -- assisted by several other stations -- passed critical information to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard contacted and attempted to divert two vessels to the Sailabout's assistance, although only one, m/v Belnor -- a Norwegian freighter -- eventually reached the distressed vessel.

You can find the rest of the story HERE.

Please don't tell my wife...

...was the pleading from today's tow - 10.7 hours at $225.00 an hour.

Thus started the first long job of the season. The call came in at 08:00 for a boat stranded 28 West of Port Angeles (that's 60 miles from here.)

His engine and steering weren't working. He'd motored his sailboat up the coast from Coos Bay, OR and was in trouble.

It seems as he'd run out of fuel and forgot to disengage the auto pilot. (LOL) He could have sailed and saved himself about $2000.00. The weather was snotty. Thirty knots of wind against a strong ebb for most of the trip made for 4 - 6 foot seas.

I found him off Pillar Point in the Straits of Juan de Fuca, and towed him to Port Angeles. The tow was only 3.5 hours (28 nautical miles,) the rest was travel time to and from.

This should have read, "Please don't tell my wife I'm dumb." My guess is she already knows.

The route of the tow from Pillar Pt. to Port Angeles is HERE.

Let me know if you're reading my blog

If you're here, you know I've changed my Blog Host. Please take a minute to let me know you've made the jump with me. Leave a pic and note if you like. Thanks.

The Vessel Assist season won't be in full swing until the Memorial Day weekend, but I'll strive to make a post or two every day.

-----

Oops, I spoke to soon, just got back from chasing a 65' broken down fishing vessel off Partridge Pt. Got 1/3 of the way there, before they solved the problem. They'll be billed for 1.2 hrs. It was sloppy in the straits with a 3' chop.

-----

If there's something you'd like to see, please leave a comment. Anyone can do so and you don't need to be a member like on Yahoo.

Thanks in advance.

Tugging Around the Harbor

No rescues today. Just moved a disabled boat in the harbor. "Winesom" belongs to USMA grad, Capt. Bill Bailey. He is the owner of the charter vessel Pacific Catalyst.

San Juan County targets boaters harassing orcas

New ordinance applies to non-commercial craft

By ROBERT McCLURE
P-I REPORTER

Spurred by tales of reckless, negligent and belligerent boaters who endanger themselves and orcas in their zeal to see the killer whales up close, the San Juan County Council took steps Tuesday to rein in the errant orca spotters.

On a 6-0 vote, the council ordered Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord to draft an ordinance that would be enforced primarily by officers of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. A small minority of private boaters -- not commercial whale-watch operators -- are the target.

More info in the Seattle PI article, HERE.

Winds, Tides, and Currents; Oh My

A new web site BIS, (Boater Information System) has been established by the University of Washington for boaters. Finding a single source for this info is kinda cool.

Check it out, HERE.

Royal Caribbean Names First Female Captain

Tres Cool! It's about time. I know a number of women in the wheelhouse who are very competent.

----

Royal Caribbean International has named Swedish mariner, Karin Stahre-Janson, captain of Monarch of the Seas, making her the first female captain in the line's 21-ship fleet and the first woman in the industry to command a major cruise ship. As the Captain of Monarch of the Seas, Captain Stahre-Janson is responsible for the safe navigation of a ship that is 880 feet long, 106 feet wide, has 14 guest decks and routinely carries 2,400 guests and 850 crew members.

Empress of the North; Grounding Last Night

Call it bad juju, but stern wheelers never operated in the coastal waters of Alaska. "The Empress of the North," a relatively new boat built in 2003 is also powered by pods (think outdrives.) There were side wheelers here.

This cruise ship had made port here in Friday Harbor, and looks way out of place (my opinion.)

The NTSB and Coast Guard reports will prove interesting.

-----

Just four years old, the $50 million sternwheeler Empress of the North had yet another mishap Monday -- striking a reef off the waters of Juneau, Alaska, and forcing nearly 300 passengers to evacuate.

Though the 360-foot luxury cruise ship was able to return to Juneau under its own power, the accident marked the third time the vessel has run aground in 3 1/2 years.

Since a troubled launch in June 2003, when the vessel got stuck in the mud, the Empress of the North has hit a navigation lock on the Snake River in October 2003, run aground on the Columbia River a month later due to steering problems, and struck a large boulder, again on the Columbia, just last year.

The ship also failed a sanitation test by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in February 2006. A month later, several passengers and crew members were sickened during a cruise along the Columbia River.

But all this doesn't add up to a problem vessel, said Lt. J.G. Nick Barrow at the Coast Guard base in Portland.

See the full story in the Seattle PI: HERE.

5/16/07 follow up article in the Juneau Empire HERE.

5/23/07 firsthand account of Friday Harbor resident Lori Stokes via San Juan Island Update HERE.

DNR Salvage

Spent today salvaging a 30' gill netter. The owner knew he was in trouble with the Department of Natural Resources for the derelict boat in Fisherman's Bay, on Lopez Island. He had towed it about four miles away to Indian Cove on Shaw Island before the neighbors called.

The boat had a current registration, but it was for a 15' skiff.

My guess is that he will get a hefty bill from San Juan County.

Moving from Yahoo 360

Prior 469 blog postings are hosted on Yahoo 360, HERE.

First Dock Party of the Season

We usually gather before the first cruisers take off for parts North. This evening's affair was a pot luck and hootenanny. Lots of good company and food.

Island Transporter

USMA Grads, Captain Steve Partridge (left,) and Captain Terry Merritt (right) former students of mine were here at Shipyard Cove this morning delivering a load of aviation fuel.

Terry owns Island Transporter which is based in Anacortes.

We talked shop - go figure.

The Boat & The Song

This rocker has a 65 ' Pacific Mariner "Abracadabra" (pic above) about 200 yards away from "Diligence."

Early Morning Departure

Trish took this pic Thursday May 3, 2007 departing Malibu Rapids at 05:45. Thanks to my sister Julie for doing some work to lighten up this shot.

The route for the trip is HERE.

Rebels Without A Clue

About 1/3 of the boats we run on, don't know where they are, and this morning's 30' Bayliner was no exception. He had smoke coming from the engine when he called the Coast Guard, asking for assistance, and reported himself in President's Channel. He was 25 miles away off Anacortes once the Coast Guard used it's DF (direction finding) equipment.

When I arrived at his reported position, there was no boat and I could not hear his end of the conversation on the radio. I asked the Coast Guard to ask if he was reading his position correctly. A GPS will give you the position of your boat or the position of the cursor. The people that get it wrong are usually reading the position of their cursor.

My buddy John Aydelotte from Deception Pass went to get the boat. Our part of the bill will be $300 for the 1.5 hrs.

(BTW - fuel at the dock is going up $.09 on Monday for a record high of $4.00 a gallon)

Coast Guard Rescue

I listened to this rescue of a 350# man on Sunday. His boat had burned.

Coast Guard Group/Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., began this year's boating season responding to a call about a vessel fire and explosion in the vicinity of Pillar Point and a separate report of a partially submerged vessel near Burrows Bay today. Group Port Angeles received a report at 12:40 p.m. of a vessel fire midway between Port Angeles and Neah Bay, Wash., near Pillar Point.

The one confirmed person onboard was rescued by a crew onboard West Coast One, a Canadian whale watching vessel, after being in the water for 20 minutes. He was then airlifted and transported to Olympic Medical Center by a Coast Guard HH-65C Dolphin helicopter crew.

There is no further information available on the status of the person who was medically evacuated or information pertaining to his vessel. Sector Seattle, the Department of Ecology and the National Response Center were notified of possible pollutants in the vicinity of the incident and the scene will be investigated.

Boat Taking on Water (not)

Got a call from the Coast Guard about a boat taking on water in Wasp Passage at 14:40. While en route was stood down because they had solved their problem. Went the additional five minutes to see if they still needed help, and they were gone.

So goes the rescue towing business.

First Job of the Season

The Nature Conservancy manages Yellow Island here in the San Juans. They have a caretaker and a boat there. Yesterday the boat died. I towed the boat from Yellow Island to Island Marine Center on Lopez, 2.6 hrs.

We have had fog the last few mornings.

You can find out more about Yellow Island HERE.

Friday Harbor Sailing Club

Tonight I was the program at the Friday Harbor Sailing Club. I told stories of blogging and Vessel Assist runs over the last four years.

Princess Louisa Inlet

Less than 150 from home lies Princess Louisa Inlet. We spent two nights in this magical fjord. We're in Nanaimo BC today for supplies. I have a wifi signal and thought I'd make this quick post.