Boat on the Beach Destin Florida Oct 21 2017

[Steadman Uhlich]

Photo of a boat named PHANTOM OF THE AQUA, registry Virgin Islands.

Washed up on a beach at Destin Florida.

I have no other info at this time. Saw this photo shared on Facebook.

One of the commenters wrote:
"The boat was forced to be abandoned offshore Sarasota FL when the owner was rescued. Long harrowing tale of how everything can go wrong and then more can go wrong. I hope this boat can sail again, it is a gorgeous vessel."

If that is the case, the boat drifted a long way to Destin.

Other comments said the owner has been notified, and people are working on recovery.

[Aliciano]

Very interesting story. I want to know how ends

[four winds]

I know this boat boat. It is a very nice boat recently purchased by a younger couple. I think they owned it for a few months when I met them in Gulfport, Florida recently. Only talked to them a couple of times. But they were new to the cruising life and very enthusiastic though had little experience.

Curious to know more about this.

The boat, dinghy, and gear all looked first rate and good to go. Except for the ground tackle which they upgraded while in Gulfport. Because the boat dragged back and forth with each storm.

[billknny]

You can find his own retelling of the story on his youtube channel,

captainjohn hale

You can draw your own conclusions about how, and why, some people, for some reason, just seem to attract bad luck...

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by billknny

You can find his own retelling of the story on his youtube channel,

captainjohn hale

You can draw your own conclusions about how, and why, some people, for some reason, just seem to attract bad luck...

At your suggestion, I watched a few of his videos. Extraordinary.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by billknny

You can find his own retelling of the story on his youtube channel,

captainjohn hale

You can draw your own conclusions about how, and why, some people, for some reason, just seem to attract bad luck...

If' like me, you find that guy very annoying to listen to, you can read about it here:

https://phantomoftheaquacharters.com/

(As an aside another non-captain who has the gall to call himself one on the internet )

[Jd1]

It would be interesting to hear how this mess turns out. He was so incredibly lucky to have the boat anchored before it hit the shore and so incredibly unlucky to deal with a tow company like that (Tow Boat US)!
It will be interesting how the courts decide (I assume it will go to court) about the tow companies responsibilities!

(/soapbox mode) As an aside, since it is my pet peve, he pushes gratuity of 20% on his web site for his charters. In my books a business owner will never get a gratuity unless he/she absolutely blows me away and I think the service was underpriced. Any business that specifically asks for a gratuity, even for employees, will get nothing as a matter of course. A gratuity should be given if I feel I received exceptional service and not out of guilt and because it is requested. (\soapbox mode)

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by StuM

(As an aside another non-captain who has the gall to call himself one on the internet )

I share this feeling. Always makes me feel uncomfortable when I stop at a fuel dock or marina and the staff insists on calling me captain. I'm no captain, I'm just a glorified boat bum.

However according to the website, this guy does have his license.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by skipmac

I share this feeling. Always makes me feel uncomfortable when I stop at a fuel dock or marina and the staff insists on calling me captain. I'm no captain, I'm just a glorified boat bum.

However according to the website, this guy does have his license.

USCG 50t Master. Where does it say "Captain" on that licence?

IMNSHO, when you are performing the duties as master of vessel, you are indeed the "captain" (lower case "c") of that vessel and it's fine to be called such by others.

When you put the title of "Captain" (upper case "C") in front of your name at any other time, you are falsely implying that you hold the rank of Captain - which is generally gained by years of development in a disciplined organisation.

Even worse is actually claiming to be a USCG Captain:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United..._rank_insignia

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by StuM

USCG 50t Master. Where does it say "Captain" on that licence?

IMNSHO, when you are performing the duties as master of vessel, you are indeed the "captain" (lower case "c") of that vessel and it's fine to be called such by others.

When you put the title of "Captain" (upper case "C") in front of your name at any other time, you are falsely implying that you hold the rank of Captain - which is generally gained by years of development in a disciplined organisation.

Even worse is actually claiming to be a USCG Captain:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United..._rank_insignia

In the US a USCG license is commonly referred to as a Captains license and the holders are legally entitled to operate a vessels for hire, carry passengers and those holding a higher rating can be the master of large ships. Even the USCG website uses the term captain when referring to license holders.

This is of course not to be confused with someone in a branch of the military that holds a commissioned rank but, at least in the US, one who holds a USCG license is referred to as captain with no insult or disrespect to the military. Just like someone that holds a PhD is correctly called doctor in his or her field of expertise with no insult to an MD that is a doctor of medicine.

If that isn't the case in your part of the world, what do you call the person with years, thousands of miles ocean experience and holds an official license from any organization that is in charge of something like a 250 meter, non-military ship?

[leboyd]

Originally Posted by skipmac

In the US a USCG license is commonly referred to as a Captains license ...

[Palarran]

Blah blah blah on again about the "Captain" thing again. Good god - who cares.

[TJ D]

Originally Posted by Palarran

Blah blah blah on again about the "Captain" thing again. Good god - who cares.

Amen, brother.

[brownoarsman]

Originally Posted by Jd1

It would be interesting to hear how this mess turns out. He was so incredibly lucky to have the boat anchored before it hit the shore and so incredibly unlucky to deal with a tow company like that (Tow Boat US)!
It will be interesting how the courts decide (I assume it will go to court) about the tow companies responsibilities!

He got the call at 2 pm on Friday, the boat dragged at 9 am Saturday, per his account. That gives him 19 hours to have gotten to his boat in a very well-served part of the US. Not really sure why he wasn't there himself unless he was out of the country at the time.

For my part, I'm surprised towboat US offered to anchor his boat for him at all. That would seem to invite all sorts of liability issues. I would have thought 'tied up in a marina or nothing" would be the policy.

Regarding your soapbox, totally agree. If you own your business and are setting your own prices, I expect you to charge what you think you're worth. I know I do ...

[Jd1]

Originally Posted by brownoarsman

He got the call at 2 pm on Friday, the boat dragged at 9 am Saturday, per his account. That gives him 19 hours to have gotten to his boat in a very well-served part of the US. Not really sure why he wasn't there himself unless he was out of the country at the time.

For my part, I'm surprised towboat US offered to anchor his boat for him at all. That would seem to invite all sorts of liability issues. I would have thought 'tied up in a marina or nothing" would be the policy.

He was given the impression that everything was going to be sorted. I can certainly see that he wasn't going to move mountains to be there during daylight on Friday. I got the impression that he made arrangements to see the boat, just not as an emergency rush trip.
I wonder if they will ever figure out why the boat dragged like that - was the anchor undersized for the boat ? Even if it didn't bite, you'd think that as the boat drags into shallower water the effective scope gets bigger and it would catch.