Cruisers yacht stuck on Gulfport beach in 4 feet of sand

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by Coops

Similar position, interesting result. Love the "love pat" from the excavator at the end.

Coops.

Being a mobile plant operator from way back i can tell you that excavator operator has the angels touch, brilliant to watch....

[Blue Stocking]

FIRST!!--you haveto find enough people who give a damn about his plight.

[avb3]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

FIRST!!--you haveto find enough people who give a damn about his plight.

Which is one of the reasons I posted this on here. I'm sure if enough sailors in the Tampa Bay area are aware, they will coalesce and help.

[ixtlan22]

What a great video!

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by avb3

Which is one of the reasons I posted this on here. I'm sure if enough sailors in the Tampa Bay area are aware, they will coalesce and help.

If I wasn't 5 hrs away by plane, I'd be there.

[avb3]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

If I wasn't 5 hrs away by plane, I'd be there.

I'm actually about 8 hours away, up north of Montana, but I will be in the Tampa Bay area the week of Aug 6.

Here is some more information and an update on the situation. It seems he is known in the area. Is there anyone from the Tampa Bay area on here who knows about the situation?

[Lou452]

I do not know him or how to contact him. I am in my old KY home far away. I feel sorry for him getting a fine every day and no help.

[rognvald]

This was certainly an unfortunate loss for this "cruising sailor." However, being a practical person I have a few questions that should be considered. 1.)By his own admission in the article, his boat was a "gift" with water that was waist deep in the cabin and he pumped her out, sealed the leaks and lived on her. Is this the definition of a "cruising sailboat?" 2.)From the picture in the video and the article(taking into consideration the storm), does this look like a seagoing boat or one that was tied to an anchor in a free anchorage that probably never moved from its mooring? 3.)By his own admission, the engine didn't work. Was this a consequence of the storm or a non-functional engine? 4.)With no insurance and no funds, what would be the incentive for a towboat to assist this vessel with no prospect of being paid? And finally,5)Should the taxpayers of Tampa be responsible for the cost of the salvage and, if so,why would anyone in a similar situation who know this pay for insurance? I do not know the absolute specifics of this particular situation other than what has been written and recorded in this blog but this certainly seems that his vessel qualifies as a "derelict" that was discussed in a previous discussion concerning Boot Key Harbor, Fl. and other similar anchorages. This, no doubt, is a tragedy for this man as he has lost his "home" and it most likely will be dismantled and removed at the taxpayers expense. Living on $800. per month, he certainly cannot afford to pay. But, where are the compassionate souls in Tampa that tell their friends from the comfort of their home computers that he must be helped? Oh, well. On to another blog.

[Blue Stocking]

Does Quantas fly into Tampa?--he needs some Aussies, not analysts.

[Mr B]

I have been washed up on a beach,

One man can do very little on his own, I tried to get my boat off the beach and I had 2 metre waves running under it,
I had a very long rope to a bouy out in the inlet, and I could not pull the boat back out into the deeper water,
And believe me I tried,

The man needs help,
It was a floating boat and he lived on it, so it wasnt a derelict hulk before he got washed up on the beach,

[bobconnie]

Is this boat in FL, or Gulfport Mississippi ?? if MS ya would have to fly to New Orleans LA about 2 1/2 hrs by car from there ! Just asking Cus Im about 5 hrs from there and would help if some others were there also!!

[TomandAnitas34]

The population of Gulfport Fl. is 12,000. The population of Gulfport Ms. is 69,000 Statistically, one person in 10,000 will rise to a challenge like this one. They also must be aware of the problem. Say one in three of those people will know via the video short. One of those people will have some boat experience. Odds are getting short.

[Mr B]

Tampa Bay area, It says, Is there two Tampa Bay area's.

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by Mr B

I have been washed up on a beach,

One man can do very little on his own, I tried to get my boat off the beach and I had 2 metre waves running under it,
I had a very long rope to a bouy out in the inlet, and I could not pull the boat back out into the deeper water,
And believe me I tried,

The man needs help,
It was a floating boat and he lived on it, so it wasnt a derelict hulk before he got washed up on the beach,

So, Mr. B.,
With all respect intended, your defintion of a "non derelict" boat is one that floats and has a human being living inside? I think some, including myself, would quarrel with that defintion.

[Our Quest]

We met Capt. Jay this spring while passing through Gulfport. Great guy and very helpful to other sailors - just a little down on his luck at the moment. I wish we could help, but we are currently about 1400 miles away.