I live in a community of boaters called Southwestern Yacht Club in
San Diego Bay,
California. Though there are the usual rich folk and pretentious boors that we all seem to call up in our imaginings, the great majority, especially the liveaboards, have a sense of common ties and personal responsibility for one another. We are also a group that works together for the common good. Independently, we have formed a group called Dockmasters, who keep watch on our individual docks and the associated boats nearby. We have developed an
Emergency Procedures manual, collected
emergency supplies and
equipment, and train one another in how to protect boats from burglary, sinking, fire and storm damage. The local Coast Guard Auxiliary is taking our program national to
marinas and other yacht clubs, to folks who value this home-grown emergency response. Our club may be the only place on the planet that has first aid kits (with oxygen tanks) on each dock, emergency boarding ladders, emergency defibrillation units, Coast
Guard P-6 dewatering pumps,
oil containment booms, emergency
lighting and tools for dealing with the nasty things that can happen at the wrong moments. We have successfully fought serious fires aboard boats, saved several from sinking. rescued members who have fallen in the drink, had heart attacks on their boats, and many other nasty experiences that can happen in this world. If there is anyone interested in making contact and getting their own program set up, we would be happy to assist. Send a PM.