Bayliner taking on water West of Jones IslandWith about ten minutes to finish the tow below of Haley's Comet, a Mayday was called in San Juan Channel. My partner Bill West ran on the vessel but asked for me to hightail it as a back up. In the 30 minutes it took me to get there, lots of folks were on scene and my partners Bill had dewatered the boat and replaced the exhaust zinc that was spouting water. Les was along for support but was not needed as well.
If folks would just shut off the engine more water would not be pumped into the boat.
It is important to note that a vessel taking on water is an insurance claim (salvage) and not a simple tow as outlined in the Vessel Assist Contract.
BTW, that's Vessel Assist Salvation tied up to the Bayliner.
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10 comments:
Any reader who owns a boat should get a basic understanding of the mechanical systems on board their vessel. It will save them money and could easily save their life or those of a loved one.
Understanding how to fight a fire, control flooding, when to abandon the vessel and when to stay put would seem like good places to begin their studies. This is not hard work, certainly less so than the work it takes to purchase a boat in the first place.
Capt, you must have some great sea stories. It would be good to have a scotch with you sometime.
Moraviot
Moraviot,
Let me know if you make it to the islands. Send me an email, in my profile, and I'll send you my #.
Richard,
You had a pretty busy day, considering the weather here's still cold and probably not that many boats out. Not knowing all the facts it sounds like the Bayliner "Sea Jay" with a leaking exhaust zinc called Mayday inappropriately. PanPan or Securite would have been more appropriate, dont you think?
Moraviot's absolutely right - that every boater (including self-run charterers) has a duty to know his mechanical system basics. If a zinc popped out and his highwater bilge alarm went off he should have stopped the engine and put in a new zinc, hardly a life or death dilemma which is what "Mayday" distress call is supposed to be reserved for. Morav's right that you must see a lot of great sea stories. It's fine that they should call you, but that sure doesnt sound like a Mayday event to me - like why should we taxpayers be paying the CG to go fullbore at $4.50/ga diesel cost to respond to something like that? The problem is that many novice boaters have little understanding what the proper use of distress calls is all about, the same dimwits who refuse to yield ROW to the ferries, which we see in San Juans all the time.
I've never heard of a Zinc popping out before, Zincs are located inside the plug fitting, so how did the plug fitting fail? I also thought Hino's did not have engine zincs.
Anyway you could get a little more information on the exact location of failure? This may help others who own the same craft.
Anonymous,
My info is that it worked it's way loose. How often do you check your hose clamps and fittings. I've seen it happen before.
I check my hose clamps once a season , plus all my shift cable and steering cable clamps twice a season, I usually replace my engine and gear cooler zincs once a season.
I was really wondering where the failure occurred??
by the way Capt, your fast :-)
Found this and thought you may be interested.
http://www.baylinerownersclub.org/forum/showthread.php?t=17355
Anonymous,
If Coastrider only knew. LMAO - while not the most educated guy in the world, I can assure you that I've done my share of post graduate work, and make numerous public speaking engagements as well as instruct for Coast Guard licensing.
Still LMAO - I wonder if he'll be in the San Juans looking for assistance?
I thought his post was pretty funny and he does have the joke sign up, all in fun.
Thought you might get a laugh out of it.
Capt. Rodgiguez:
I don't know how you do it -- head football coach at Michigan AND sea hero to many. Hope the recruiting goes well!
GO BLUE!
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