Coast Guard Rescue Two

[noreault]

Obviously they lacked a compass also. It is kind of hard to miss the coast when traveling east.

[markpierce]

Boats have gone safely to sea before GPS and radios were even dreamed of and usually got to their destinations.

[h20man]

Originally Posted by markpierce

Boats have gone safely to sea before GPS and radios were even dreamed of and usually got to their destinations.

But the captains had experience, and had a functioning brain... that they even used.....

I personally believe that many monkeyhumes exist amoung us. They look like humans, they come in all colours, races and religions, but they are evolutionary throwbacks( Atavism)....

All due to the interbreeding between humans and chimps...

The above two facts help me deal with the many monkeyhumes I meet on a daily basis....

[skipmac]

Sorry, I just don't get it. I am just an east coast sailor but can't you see Catalina Island from the mainland? Haven't people even made it swimming? Don't they even have electricity and lights on the island so you can even see it at night? I guess there could be fog.

[David M]

Perhaps it is time to start charging for rescues whose cause is completely unnecessary? At least charge for the variable costs like fuel and wear and tear. Maybe others would think twice before doing something which may end up costing the taxpayers money?

What if a helo went down and people died?

This is another argument in favor of licensing for recreational boaters. I'm not for it but it is a valid argument in favor.

It's a good thing boats cannot fall out of the sky.

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by David M

This is another argument in favor of licensing for recreational boaters. I'm not for it but it is a valid argument in favor.

Don't think that would help much. Can't fix stupid.

[David M]

Correct, it cannot be eliminated but accidents caused by stupid can be reduced.

Other than politicians who spend money like it's candy, it's amazing how much smarter people can get when it's their money on the line if they do something stupid and fail at whatever they were doing.

[Jim Cate]

But look, their real mistake wasn't in poor navigation or preparation, and apparently they didn't really need rescuing. Their mistake was in telling folks to call the Coasties if they didn't get back by a certain time. Seems at least possible that left alone they would have seen land when the sun came up, or at least been able to guess which direction East was... of course, maybe not... we'll never know!

But the concept of overzealous shore folks is real. We were once reported "overdue" when we missed our ETA for arriving in Hilo from Bora Bora... by 4 hours!!! At least in this case no search was initiated, and we were not thus greatly embarrassed.

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Marmong Point, Lake Macquarie, NSW, Oz

[sarafina]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Sorry, I just don't get it. I am just an east coast sailor but can't you see Catalina Island from the mainland? Haven't people even made it swimming? Don't they even have electricity and lights on the island so you can even see it at night? I guess there could be fog.

No, you can't see 2o+ miles over the horizon. I think that the typical horizon sight, at sea level, when not interrupted by hills, trees or fog is like 3 miles.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by sarafina

No, you can't see 2o+ miles over the horizon. I think that the typical horizon sight, at sea level, when not interrupted by hills, trees or fog is like 3 miles.

Yes, but does not Catalina Island (or the California mainland in the other direction) stick up a bit above sea level? You may not be able to see Catalina from deck level as you leave the coast, but (given decent visibility) one can see either it or the mainland from well out to sea.

Jim

[sarafina]

High spot on the island is 1600 feet so some one can do the Pythagorean math...

[Maggie-K]

The Coast Guard report does not say there were no life jackets on board it says "to have life jackets for everyone onboard the vessel. " There are no requirements to carry a VHF or a GPS although it would be wise . For all we know this vessel met all Coast Guard requirements. The persons on board and the vessel were not in peril.

[JiffyLube]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Yes, but does not Catalina Island (or the California mainland in the other direction) stick up a bit above sea level? You may not be able to see Catalina from deck level as you leave the coast, but (given decent visibility) one can see either it or the mainland from well out to sea.

Jim

On a clear day some 60 miles south east of Catalina in Oceanside we can see the high mountains of Catalina, and once in a Blue Moon we can see San Clemente Island. Depending on the coastal fog or haze you can't see the mainland from the island, but you can still make out enough of the city sky light to figure out where land is. Like you mentioned earlier the mistake they made was having someone call the Coast Guard if they ran into overtime, if a person can really call that a mistake...at least they filed a float plan. I'll be interested in hearing if get to learn any more of their exploit.

[capngeo]

Shoreside peeps pulling the alarm too soon can be a bit tough. BUT the flip side can be bad as well. I was once 4 DAYS overdue and the floatplan keepers didn't call the alarm.... Their rational was that I'd figure it out and get in somehow. When I got into cell range and called they said they were going to give it "1 more day"! Glad I wasn't bobbing out there in the dink!

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by David M

What if a helo went down and people died?

I hear this a bit. My answer is - tough sh#t

Sounds harsh, because it is. I leave it up to the Rescuers to decide for themselves whether it is "safe" to attempt a rescue. and if the answer is a no, then tough on the boater. IMO no one has a "right" to rescue, especially when it involves risk to others.

But if rescuer decides conditions are safe enough, but nonetheless something goes wrong - well, IMO that is just how it is. The folks involved would know that is a possibility before they signed up (or lifted off)....and if they didn't like the risks, then they can refuse to go - or do something else.

Of course I appreciate that different cultures have different expectations over what others have to do for them, in order not to be inconvenianced.