Training crew for a glassboatem boat charter off Oahu Hawaii. While underway, I was breifing my crew on mooring proceedures. We had to hook up to a block that had no float. I would be using buildings and other features to put us on the spot. His job was to scuba 40 ft to the bottom and secure us for the fish feeding show. I ran thru the drill with him, asking him to repeat my instructions. I wanted to be clear because once he was in the water, we were at his mercy. Finally, I said, Ok, that's the drill. With that my diver, turned away from me, took a step forward from his fully geared position on the bow, and jumped in the water. We were underway, and ten minutes from our dive sight. Nobody got hurt.<br /><br />I needed to use the head. My first mate was standing next to me in the wheel house. I said "take the wheel, I'll be right back." I did my deal, taking my time, popping zits in the mirror, or whatever. When I came out of the cabin I found the boat closeing hard on the reef and my firstmate standing on the bow. He thought I was driving, Yikes.<br /><br />I'm catching rays on the roof of the 65 ft charter boat that was my first command. I hear a hissing noise, air under pressure. I am forced by my position as skipper to get up and check it out. I see my divers BC and tank pop to the surface. Without thinking I dove off the roof to grab the gear. The current was smoking and I had no fins. Within seconds I was 100 yards off the stern, yelling at my deck hand to swim me some fins and hurry. I swam my butt off to get back to the boat. Never leave the boat, is the rule for the Skipper, boy, I almost got caught with my pants down that time.<br /><br />Leaving Florida. Lahaina or Bust. We had finaly compleated the refitting of our new Thompson Trawler hull, gotten our COI, and where headed for Panama. The Captain and myself sleeped on board after bringing on 2500 gallons of deisel. During the night I smelled fuel, I blew it off due to the on deck fuel barrels required for our trip. The return line had popped of the Gen Set and filled the engine room with fuel. Thats enough details. We survived. The lesson learned, don't ignore anything or it will bit you hard, has saved me several times since.<br />To many stories to tell, as disabilitating as my desiese(boating) is, I love it!
