Marine Mishaps

Well, lots of excitement going on here again but I'm pleased to report that the outcome has been okay. The predictor of a positive outcome in a marine emergency is remaining calm.

The man of the house was waiting for his boat which is winter fishing to come in this morning. The marine weather forecast had changed as soon as they left and he was unsure as to whether they'd stay until Thursday or be in a day early. Of course there's no way to reach them 'back of LaHave Bank' which is where they were fishing so you don't hear from them until they're a few hours from the wharf. Well, let me tell you that we had a real humdinger of a windstorm here yesterday evening and night and the shore captain has been a wreck After fielding calls from his mom, the son's girlfriend, secretary at the plant and his brother he spent the evening pacing and the night hitting redial, sighing, up to look out the window and then attempt to sleep for 10 minutes.

I finally gave it up at 6 a.m. this morning and got up for work as he was taking his third phone call since 5. As I told the gang at work "I talked him down off the ledge but only until he reaches the plant I'm sure" My day at work (thankfully) did not allow me to worry as it didn't even allow me a lunch break. When I came through the door, mister was on the phone in an animated conversation and looking slightly more settled.

It appears that the Captain had called the Coast Guard and a Search & Rescue helicopter out of Greenwood had dropped a pump to the boat this afternoon as they had 'water onboard' and they were slowly making their way in with an ETA of about midnight. Finally at 10 p.m. I heard a yell from the bedroom and appeared at the door saying "you bellowed?" to find the shore captain had reached the boat and received an update. There was not much wind offshore as it only blew about 30 knots and they had continued to haul gear, they had shifted position which put them behind and had about 30,000 pounds of fish onboard so couldn't make much speed. But the reason for the water in the lazaret (storage area in the stern under the deck) remains a mystery. Apparently the autopilot was acting up, then the stern looked lower in the water so the Captain explains that he 'got the boys up' and they go out on to take the deck hatch cover up and....there is a LOT of water sloshing around. In his usual understated style he says "I said oh sh*t" and called for help. The bilge alarm went off while they were awaiting the helicopter as the drain has released water to the bilge and they were able to use the pump which runs off the deck hose to pump most of the water out so didn't have to use the Coast Guard pump when it was lowered. As I type they're jogging in at about 4 knots so will arrive at the wharf 1 a.m. and the Coast Guard calls them every two hours to check in. Just another day at the office is the final assessment, although the shore captain notes this is the most animated he has heard the Captain in the three years he's been taking boats for him as there is a slight note of urgency in his voice.

So, more than enough excitement as is usual for us. As one of the neighbours - a rather burly guy whose bark is much worse than his bite - said as I walked the dog "is the boy on the boat?" referring to the prodigal son who had fished with his own son and when I nodded, he paused and said "but they're all okay aren't they?" I assured him they were, so he concludes with "well that's the only important thing then isn't it?" As usual - we both get it.