More from the airwaves:
Returning from my hurricane cruise, I heard a long exchange on the radio that told me someone was having a very bad end to their vacation and a reminder of how serious the Coast Guard can be about oil spills.
A vessel called “Anger Management” (I’d change the name but the truth is just too good in this case) called the Coast Guard to report that they were moored in Boothbay Harbor and had just seen a large Grand Banks trawler pump “about 5 gallons” of diesel fuel over the side. The Coast Guard asked them to call on a land line.
About half an hour later, I saw a vessel of that description going by faster than I have ever seen a craft of that type moving. Usually, they loaf along because of the fuel cost but this one practically had a rooster tail, or maybe a tail between the legs. I wondered if it might be the same boat.
About an hour later, I heard the Boothbay Coast Guard calling for the pleasure vessel “S___”. When they replied, they were asked for a Lat Long. The Coast Guard then asked for a geographic position and they said they were on a direct run from Boothbay to the Cape Cod Canal and about 104 miles from their canal waypoint on a course of 214 mag.”
The CG then asked if they had refueled at the Boothbay Marina.
“Negative. We did not refuel in Boothbay.”
“Did you transfer any fuel in Boothbay.”
Long pause.
“Yes. We did transfer fuel and a couple cupfuls spilled out the fuel vent.”
“Well, we are going to need you to return to Boothbay to answer some questions.”
Then a long tale of woe. They were on a 9 hour trip. The boat was scheduled for maintenance the next day. They were 50 miles from Boothbay so it would be 5 hours back. He would be glad to visit a CG office in the morning, etc., etc.
“Negative, you will need to return to Boothbay”
Tale of woe repeated in more complex form.
“Stand by on 23 Alpha. We need to consult with Sector”.
About 10 minutes later, CG is back calling “S___” and telling them that they must return to Boothbay.
Tale of woe repeated in even more complex form.
“S___, we are going to turn you over to USCG District New England. Stand by on 23 Alpha.”
About 10 minutes later, a nice sounding gal from District calls them up and starts asking questions. If I had recorded the whole thing, I’m sure I could tell you the name of the bridesmaid at the owner’s third wedding. Shortly after this started, they evidently got back into cell phone range and the whole drama went off the air.
I strongly suspect that they were told to divert into either Portsmouth or Boston or else stop for boarding in the vicinity.
Just a reminder that failure to report “A visible sheen or emulsion beneath”, even as small as a pin head, can have serious consequences.
Returning from my hurricane cruise, I heard a long exchange on the radio that told me someone was having a very bad end to their vacation and a reminder of how serious the Coast Guard can be about oil spills.
A vessel called “Anger Management” (I’d change the name but the truth is just too good in this case) called the Coast Guard to report that they were moored in Boothbay Harbor and had just seen a large Grand Banks trawler pump “about 5 gallons” of diesel fuel over the side. The Coast Guard asked them to call on a land line.
About half an hour later, I saw a vessel of that description going by faster than I have ever seen a craft of that type moving. Usually, they loaf along because of the fuel cost but this one practically had a rooster tail, or maybe a tail between the legs. I wondered if it might be the same boat.
About an hour later, I heard the Boothbay Coast Guard calling for the pleasure vessel “S___”. When they replied, they were asked for a Lat Long. The Coast Guard then asked for a geographic position and they said they were on a direct run from Boothbay to the Cape Cod Canal and about 104 miles from their canal waypoint on a course of 214 mag.”
The CG then asked if they had refueled at the Boothbay Marina.
“Negative. We did not refuel in Boothbay.”
“Did you transfer any fuel in Boothbay.”
Long pause.
“Yes. We did transfer fuel and a couple cupfuls spilled out the fuel vent.”
“Well, we are going to need you to return to Boothbay to answer some questions.”
Then a long tale of woe. They were on a 9 hour trip. The boat was scheduled for maintenance the next day. They were 50 miles from Boothbay so it would be 5 hours back. He would be glad to visit a CG office in the morning, etc., etc.
“Negative, you will need to return to Boothbay”
Tale of woe repeated in more complex form.
“Stand by on 23 Alpha. We need to consult with Sector”.
About 10 minutes later, CG is back calling “S___” and telling them that they must return to Boothbay.
Tale of woe repeated in even more complex form.
“S___, we are going to turn you over to USCG District New England. Stand by on 23 Alpha.”
About 10 minutes later, a nice sounding gal from District calls them up and starts asking questions. If I had recorded the whole thing, I’m sure I could tell you the name of the bridesmaid at the owner’s third wedding. Shortly after this started, they evidently got back into cell phone range and the whole drama went off the air.
I strongly suspect that they were told to divert into either Portsmouth or Boston or else stop for boarding in the vicinity.
Just a reminder that failure to report “A visible sheen or emulsion beneath”, even as small as a pin head, can have serious consequences.
