DRAMATIC RESCUE(S) in Barnegat Bay, NJ!

[Bob23]

To preface this story, I'll borrow a line from Mr. James Buffett: "It's a semi-true story, believe it or not. I made up a few things and there's some I forgot."

  On this Saturday past, I had the pleasure of sharing the afternoon with Peter and Becky aboard their Compac 19, "Beagle" also known as the mighty Beagle. After a warm-up beer on their back lawn facing the lagoon in Forked River, we decided to head out. Peter has become the master of efficiency and gadgetry, and with a quick pull of the main halyard, out of the cover and up the mast went the main. It literally took seconds. I remarked that it takes me 30 minutes from the time I board my 23 after rowing out to the time I sail off the mooring. (I do admittedly have a tendency to overcomplicate things.) Anyway, in no time flat we were motoring out for an afternoon of sailing on Barnegat Bay. Little did we know what lay in store.
  Winds were quite fickle, changing direction, dropping to zilch and then up to 15 knots, more direction change, no wind, 10 knots, zilch...you get the idea. But the mighty Beagle took it all instride and with Peters quick mainsheet adjustment techniques, he overcame my unfamiliarity with the vessel; Peter had given me the tiller for almost the duration of the journey with Becky taking over toward the end. Later I'll share how we discovered an amazing fact similar to how a horse knows if an inexperienced rider is on it's back.
  We sailed north, or so, at the mercy of the winds, which were predominantly from the West, but came from North and NE. It seemed that the wind was sampling every compass point that day. But, valiantly we proceeded North, veering East toward the Governors Mansion on Island Beach State Park. We were toying with stopping in to see Governor Corzine- maybe he'd offer us coffee or a beer but realized he's kinda broke and decided it might be nice to send him a check when we got back. Meanwhile over at Tice's Shoals, a local boaters hangout and great overnight anchorage, it was Rock The Bay Saturday, a day when the local radio station sets up a temporary broadcasting camp on a barge, and makes lots of noise, which attracts lots of yahoos, resulting in more noise and more yahoos. Needless to say, we had no desire to be mistaken for yahoos so we continued North.
  At this point it was decided to head for Berkely Island Park, one of their favorite anchorages. Tacking against the recalcitrant breeze, we finally made it there, did a flyby so I could see it, and decided to head for the barn. It looks like a great place to hang out for the weekend.
  An aside note for any non New Jerseyans reading this: It is the practice of our state and local governments here to charge us for anything and everything they can. They charge us to go on the beach, they charge us to drive on the roads to get to the beach, they fine us for doing something wrong on the beach, and we pay for them to put the sand back on the beach. You get the idea, I won't go any further. However, despite this trend, there are some wonderful free anchorages along the bay but we ain't gonna tell you where they are!!! You'll find 'em.
  On with our story. Heading for the barn- some horses seem to know when you are heading back and take off full speed. I had that happen once and it's scary so I don't ride horses anymore. Today, the Beagle seemed to act the same. Almost as soon as we pointed back, the wind picked up to a steady 15-18, maybe 20 gusts, out of the west and practically stayed that way all the way back. I noticed that as soon as Becky took over the tiller, The Beagle lept forward, maybe knowing approvingly that a stranger was no longer at the controls. This seemed strange so, as an experiment, I briefly took the stick...sure enough, the knot meter droppod. Becky's hand on the tiller, knot meter goes up...my hand- speed drops. Now, I realize this could be mere coincidence influenced by the effect that beer on a hot day has on ones thinking, but there are the facts as they were observed. We report...you decide.
  With the wind now cooperating, we were having fun, a bit of spray in our faces, nibbling on cheese, crackers and fresh cherries that Becky had brought and completely oblivious as to what was about to happen. With some nautical disasters, you get a bit of warning. We had no warning whatsoever and therefore were only minimally propared to deal with the situation. A sudden gust tore Becky's hat from her head and set it floating, barely, in the treacherous waters of the Barnegat Bay where many hats have met their end. We determined that Becky's hat would not see a similar fate, and launched a hat-overboard maneuver. After a failed attempt (Beck missed it by inches and we almost lost her overboard) we decided to go around again. It was hard to see the poor hat, just the brim was floating only inches above the surface. It seemed to scream for help. Another go at it brought us no closer.   The situation looking grim, Cap't Peter did what any noble captain (and husband) would do. With no regard for his own personal safety, he plunged into the depths, swam for the hat, and guided by our verbal navigational suggestions, reached the hat before she went down for the third time. We all breathed a sigh of relief but soon realized that Davey Jones was not through with us yet.
  There was current pulling Peter away from us, and being hove-to, we had to un-hove-to and
tack over to pick him up. It wasn't that he was drifting fast away, but just not getting any closer. We made a few miss- tacks and couldn't get the motor bracket down to motor over. It was then that we saw the Jet-ski slowly approaching Peter who, in the afternoon chop and glare, was not all that visible. I got a little concerned as the Jet-Skier seemed to be heading right for him and I don't have a high opinion of Jet-ski pilots. That's putting it mildly, friends. As the Skier got closer, it seemed even more obvious that Peter wasn't seen until the last minute when our Skier friend, a father taking his daughter (I think) out for a ride, veered off to avoid our hero. We still were not getting any closer and were about to come about again, when our whole world came crashing down!
 When disaster strikes, it re-priortizes your thinking. Things that were important, become meaningless when a life is at stake. Some of our preconceived ideas go out the window in an instant when you see another human being in real trouble. And, like in the parable of the Good Samaritan, help often comes from the most unlikely sources.
  Out of nowhere, here comes the same Jet-ski that only moments before we feared would end the brave Cap't Peters days, to rescue him and the hat! Yes, folks, it's true. A Jet-skier, one of a group of boaters, nay, I don't even classify them as boaters, came to the rescue and Peter, clinging to life and the Jet-ski, was brought to safety and climbed aboard despite Jone's desire to pull him to the bottom. He was safe, the hat was safe, and soon both were drying off in the warm afternoon New Jersey sun, eating cherries and the remainder of the crackers. Wherever you are, Mr. Jet-skier, thank you! You've helped to restore my confidence in mankind!
  The rest of the sail was uneventful, with Peter steering, Becky happy to have her hat back, me glad that all 3 of us were returning unscathed by our brush with death. After we sailed south for a bit, it was apparent we would have to motor in, and both Becky and I learned the proper operation of the outboard bracket, which is quite different than mine. We motored in, dropped sails, and after tying up the Beagle, enjoyed the last of the beer, being thankful for life itself. After bidding our farewells, I remembered that I hadn't filed a float plan with the Admiral and so decided to truck on back home, and after being considered AWOL by said Admiral and hoping to avoid time in the brig, brought home a large pizza as penance.
  Well, that's about it. As I stated earlier, some of the facts may have been altered just a little, and I've intentionally left out some details of the journey, as agreed upon by all parties while on board the ship.
  Be safe and fair winds, my friends. And remember- sometimes God sends help from the most unlikely of sources!
Bob23, your correspondent in NJ, signing off....good day!

[bmiller]

Excellent story Bob, well written, dramatic, heartfelt and heroic all at the same time.

My last "loss" at the hands of a fickle wind required a trip back to San Carlos to obtain a similar hat.

[HideAway]

Nice story Bob.   

We once had a Yorkie who would stand up in the bow and defend the boat against crab traps.   It it saw one she would jump off the bow and attack it!   It was not too hard to rescue the Yorkie with our Sea Pearl - I d just grab her as we sailed by.   

When HideAway came into our lives we thought the problem was solved since it s so much larger than the Sea Pearl. 

Nope!   That dog would jump over the coaming and run to the bow and off she d go!    We always kept her in a harness, leash and a life jacket when she was on board.  After a few long, painful stretches reaching over the by the Capt we found a solution.

You know those fish nets those who fish use to boat the fish?   

They work just as well on Yorkies, hats and other articles that fly off boats     Matt

[cbishop]

Bob,
As a Barneget boater you got lucky. If it had been a cigarette boat, it would all be over.
We are stll looking forward to running into you soon as our 27 is in year 2 and we are out in the Bay playing with the winds.
Candy and Bob Bishop
For Pete's Sake

[Bob23]

Candy and Bob:
   I am hoping to sail to Tice's next weekend sometime. If so, I may be rafted up to a Compac 19, or a Morgan 30 or both. If the 30, you would have no problem anchoring near or with us. Lookig forward to meeting you on the water,
Bob23
(ps: yes, glad also it wasn't a cigarrete boat. We would have been forced to give chase!)

[Mundaysj]

Hi Bob,
How entertaining!  I was part of a hat overboard rescue on board my friend's boat ... we also had a successful beer overboard maneuver the previous week.  (The beer was in a cozy that helped keep it afloat).  It was decided that if you are going to go overboard while traveling on that vessel.. you had better be wearing a hat and have a beer in one hand.  Otherwise the rescue might not be as successful.  LOL
Cheers,
Sherie

[Bob23]

Good advice, Sherie.
   Maybe 2 beers in hand- never know when one will get stranded on a deserted island...must have provisions!
Bob23

[Joseph]

Hilarious comments! Unfortunately alcohol and boating don't mix too well. In fact if alcohol does not mix with car driving (which I hope by now is more or less something universally accepted), alcohol mixes even less with boating and sailing... The story of the "Dramatic Rescue" is cute, and well written! but the noble decision to jump on the water to rescue a hat and become a COB in waters with strong currents and motorboat traffic (and from a boat that was having difficulty with the return maneuvre!), does not impress me as a strong display of seamanship behaviour. It may seem cute because it ended well, but is something to learn from and to avoid repeating.

J.

[Bob23]

Appreciate your concern:
   Wasn't really a strong current or much motorboat traffic. Actually Peter probably could have swam for shore if need be...it was that close. Peter is a very sensible sailor and I've learned much from him. I don't consider a beer or two in an afternoon of sailing as "alcohol" but we each have our opinions.
   We sure did learn from this episode and thanks for your comment on the story being well written. I love to write. As with any writer, the facts were stretched a bit to make the story interesting. Never, I repeat, never did we think Peter was in any real danger but you are correct- jumping overboard for a hat was a bit silly. Now if it was my Tilley, I'd be over in a heartbeat! I love that hat that much!
   Thanks for writing back, Joe. I do appreciate your comments.
Bob23...hoping for a NY Times position.........NOT!

[ka8uet]

I agree about the Tilley!  I've had to rescue mine a couple of times.  I usually keep a boat hook handy in the cockpit for hat rescues, dropped dock lines, etc.  Have also used the net with good effect.  I'm usually fishing when I'm out anyway.  We had a lovely day of sailing once when I took my son, daughter-in-law and two grandkids sailing.  Just about everyone had a line over the side.  Nobody caught much, until all of a sudden my DIL's line sang off the reel.  She grabbed for it, but couldn't reel in.  Valient try, I brought the boat about, still couldn't gain on that critter!  We finally realized that she had made a recorde catch aboard QTH.  She caught a 40 foot Beneteau!  Couldn't land it, but she sure caught it!  We will laugh about her record catch.

[Steve Ullrich]

I've come about a time or two for hats in the water but not recently.  This post has been a great reminder that we need to practice MOB drills  from time to time so that we'll react quickly enough.  I've got that on my to do list for the next time I'm on the water.  I really have no doubts about my own ability to return to any given point quickly.  I've always wondered how I'd fare if I were the one to go over.  Pretty sure my wife would be better off dropping the sails and motoring back to me but I don't know how long that would take her...  We should run that drill too.  Oh, and when we are out on the water with friends it seems there are always a couple of beers in the cooler but we never over do it.  I appreciate the story about your daughter snagging a Beneteau.  If I hit the PowerBall I'll snag one myself.

[Bob23]

Good oint, Steve:
   On my boat, I occasionally throw a cushion overboard and retrieve it. Since I usually sail solo and know Koinonia pretty well, it usually goes ok. I try it in all sorts of wind and weather so I'm pretty comfortable rescuing cushions. Let's hope I do as well with a person...or Tilley hat! Yeah... I wouldn't let that Tilley get away.
   Bob23

[Joseph]

At the ASA and the CYA the triangular method is mandatory at every level of their afloat courses, with other return maneuvers being added later in the curriculum. This is primarily to teach these manoeuvres but mostly to make students realize how tricky they are, and impress on them to take every measure for avoiding a COB at all costs.  Statistics show that for each COB situation associated with a real emergency the swimmer has little less than 50% chances of not making it. Interestingly two of the highest risk factors associated with fatalities while boating are booze and lack of wearing a PDF (or jacklines + harness & teather).  So much, that if those two risk factors are taken care of, statistically one is almost guarantee not to be at risk while boating...  And BTW, a single drink does affect reflexes and two or more start affecting judgement long before one can fill being "under the influence". They also affect tolerance to hypothermia.

BTW harnesses and teathers also apply to hats... in fact, in my time, Tilley's use to come both with bow and stern lines for under the chin and behind the head... maybe they still do!

J.

[romei]

I have to admit.  I like to drink a few beers while out on the water myself.  I like to ride my harley down to the bar sometimes and good time it with my buddies.  I've been known to fly an ultralight airplane, kayak whitewater rivers with a six pack stuck inside and once in a while I'll shag an old girlfriend without wearing a condom. 

Perhaps one of these days, one of these things will rob me of suffering the indignity of pissing my pants in an old folks home day after day, year after year, but I'm willing to take that risk because to me, it's worth the reward.

Call me crazy I guess :-P

[kchunk]

I hate when this topic comes up. P.C. crap seems so self righteous to me. Bob's original post was suposed to be nothing more than an interesting read for us...entertainment. He took the time write that little story to make you smile...not for a lesson that drinking and boating don't mix. If it's not drinking it's PFD's! Go to any sailing forum and say you don't wear a PFD or you like a few beers while on the water...Holy Crap! 

When I'm out, almost every time there's beer in the cooler. If I want one or a few, I have them. If I don't want any, I don't drink 'em...but they're there. Oh, and in case of a real emergency, or I bump into a fellow Com-Pac'r, I always have a bottle of Barbancourt Rhum stowed aboard (sorry it's not always full though, David. On second thought, maybe it was a good thing it wasn't full  ).

Romei, I agree, not the "safest" thing I've ever done, but it's a risk worth taking.