Lost Boat

[jmackay]

My Mason 43 was moored at Atlantic Highlands and apparently all 4 lines chaffed through. It was seen drifting out around Sandy Hook. So far nothing has shown up on the beaches and I am at a loss as to how to find it. The Coast Guard has been notified but does not do a search. Any suggestions?

[captainKJ]

might want to broadcast on Ch 16 every once in a while. Add discription and such. Also charter an airplane and have a pilot fly you around the area. 4 hour flight should cover it. make up a search pattern from the sky before hand on a handheld gps. check to see which way the wind and current were going.
post at local marina ,,,,on a sour note, check the ships graveyard nw of you

[Hud3]

That happened to a friend down here in the islands. He immediately chartered a small plane and went searching in the downwind direction. They located the boat after a couple of hours of searching. He noted the location with GPS, flew back home, got a friend to take him out in a fast sport fisherman, and retrieved his boat. It had moved in the meantime, but he had a good idea of the prevailing wind and currents, so was able to find it without too much trouble.

Good luck!

[seahag]

Best of luck to you. Mason's are wonderful, sure hope nothing bad has happened to her. Let us know how you make out?

[Ocean Girl]

Isn't there some ferrys that run out of sandy hook?maybe ask them if they have seen her or have heard any chatter about a sailboat. Tell them the color of you hull, whether you had sails still on the vessel, etc. Get the word out to the fishermen, they always know what's going on it seems she would of been pushed south.. ?

Also would change title of thread adding the location, that would catch the eye of a local faster ( I'm in Texas, so can't help you).
Sorry for your trouble,
Erika

[captainKJ]

the USCg is broadcasting every half hour about the boat, I am underway heading that way so i have heard it

good luck,,, hey if I see it, can I claim salvage rights?????
if I do you just owe me an odouls and a cigar

[Paul L]

Have you got your insurance company involved? Maybe they will pay for a search.

[PamlicoTraveler]

Wow...sounds like CaptainJ found your boat...

[jmackay]

The Boat has been located and is under tow. Made it 60nm offshore on its own. No report on any damage yet but it is afloat and dry another reason to never step down into a life raft.

[Ocean Girl]

Wow, that is fantastic! Glad to hear. When the dust settles, would love to know what went wrong so we can learn from it.
Erika

[DeepFrz]

Let us know how you make out with the salvage aspect of the boat.

[Blue Stocking]

Great news. Great boats.

[S/V Alchemy]

Yes, I too would be interested to hear about the salvage aspects. One always hears an after-the-fact recap.

As far as I know, this is probably going to be both expensive AND worth it for you (that's a nice boat!). If the cost stings, or insurance won't cover it, consider the unlikely aspect of getting back a largely undamaged boat in circumstances that could quite easily have sunk her without a trace.

Reminds me a bit of this, actually.

THE BOATING REPORT - THE BOATING REPORT - In the Real Storm, the Skipper, the Crew and the Boat All Survived - NYTimes.com

[jmackay]

Final update, A fisherman spotted the boat offshore and called the Coast Guard. he did not want a salvage fee. The Coast Guard handed it off to Tow Boat US who towed it in for a flat rate of $250. There was some damage, apparently the boat did battle with a red sea bouy. Within a week the insurance adjuster had inspected the damage and I had a check and had made the 6 hour sail home. I'm leaving next week for Florida and then the Bahamas for the winter. My wife and I live aboard for 8 months a year and we are both very relieved to have it back and not have to change our plans for the winter,

[Therapy]

That's good news.

Glad it worked out.

Bet you add more dock lines eh?