I'm Stuck

[Stachi]

A few years ago,well lets say about 10 or so years ago..after backing my 16' Winner Marauder down the ramp into the Delaware river,a policeman walked up to me and asked if I would go and see what the hell was wrong with the boat across the river from us, they had been sending mayday calls over 911....I asked if he would watch my tow vehicle and trailer , he said sure. I finished launching my boat , and headed over to the distressed boat.
I knew that part of the river , and I knew he was up on a sand bar.I stopped my boat just short of the sand bar and walked my anchor out and set it.I was in shin deep water. When I got to the boat , I asked if anyone was hurt or injured. Both of them were fine ( man and woman ). "So whats the problem ?"..... his reply was " I'm stuck "
OMG.... I told him to raise his outdrive , told the two of them to go as far forward as they could , and pulled them out into deep water by hand ....and yes, it was a brand new Bayliner...( I actually own an old Bayliner now...lol)
He tried to offer me $$ for helping him , I just looked at his girlfriend gave her a wink and a smile and said " no , no ,no, I think your gonna need that" she started laughing...

 

[CobiaXL]

Re: I'm Stuck

I would've done that.Somebody that dumb shouldn't own a boat nor operate one.I think I would've thought if I help them out of here,Whats next for them and do I wanna feel responsible for getting them hurt or even killed.But props to you for holding it together and helping out.

 

[Stachi]

Re: I'm Stuck

I thought about that to.... but , he seemed like an intelligent guy , just lacking some common sense.. I never met him again on the river , so maybe that is a sign that he learned something that day , or sold his boat...lol

 

[Smuggler's Blues]

Re: I'm Stuck

Stachi, I think it is great that you helped them. None of us know exactly what we area doing the first time out. The guy probably should have taken a boating course. My $.02 is if he learned from his mistake and no one was injured then I say it is a good day.

 

[sschefer]

Re: I'm Stuck

It might have been his first time on that river and he wasn't aware of the sand bar. Sounds like he wasn't high and dry so he couldn't have been going too fast, aka a sign of intelligence. It was really nice of you to help him out. I think those of us that boat often know it's just a matter of time before we'll need help, paying it forward is a really good plan.

 

[Stachi]

Re: I'm Stuck

Exactly.... I think he learned a lesson that day , and so did I...I got him off of the bar , got his engine started , and off he went... the thing that got me about it...was the fact that he was in shin deep water , and was making mayday calls to 911... he didn't realise he could get off of his boat , and push himself off of the bar....my lesson was , that people may not always see how easy it is to get out of a situation. This was due to fear and anxiety . Thats why I helped him out.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: I'm Stuck

He probably didn't know how to swim!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: I'm Stuck

i doubt a safety course bothers to teach the obvious.

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: I'm Stuck

Were you down by the Navy Yard? That's where I boat and if that's where you were, I know that sandbar very well. What a lot of new boaters don't realize is that there can be 6' tide change there and that sandbar isn't always visable but ALWAYS shallow.