Good Trip goes bad

[jfjf]

https://youtu.be/hPIFljuCLHw

[The Bloody Boat]

just subscribed to your channel great videos thanks.

[jfjf]

Thanks very much. Hopefully you can give me a thumbs up or something on my channel once in a while. Youtube does not seem to give my subscribers notice when I post?

[North Star]

Originally Posted by jfjf

Thanks very much. Hopefully you can give me a thumbs up or something on my channel once in a while. Youtube does not seem to give my subscribers notice when I post?

To get notifications, subscribers need to click on the bell icon.

[SEATUX]

I try to be positive, and learn from other peoples mistakes.
45 miles off shore...on only ONE ENGINE ! ?
Radio didn't work...WHY NOT???
Maybe for the Same reason the motor wouldn't start, Only ONE battery ( a dead one at that??)
No EPIRB, no Satellite Phone...
At least you had working flares, and someone saw them!!
But it could have been MUCH worse...no one was hurt or dying..just a long slow ride in.

I HOPE TO HELL you were a member of Seatow!!! Or that is gonna REALLY cost you!

Seriously tho...What would you have done Differently?

[jfjf]

Well, i have an EPRIB and forgot to bring it.
The radio did not work correctly, apparently there was significant corrosion in the antenna connection. The boat itself is maintained extremely well. On the radio, we were able to receive the weather, but when we hailed USCG or anyone for radio check, we heard zero response, even with the squelch turned off. Might have been a good idea to do that at the dock, LOL?

The flares had no response from a reasonably close fishing boat. Luckily, (very) a ship was passing by our location within like 0.5 mile or closer. We could read the name on the ship, so I suggested, what the hell, try to hail them. They responded and we had them relay our information to coast guard and to Tow Boat US. They were moving fast and we quickly lost contact with them. So apparently we could transmit and receive, but only very close or very powerful radios. We never got confirmation that help was on the way since the ship was moving out of range quickly, but they asked us all the right questions.

I suggested we wait until dark and save the few flares we had left until then, but the tow boat showed up (before dark) about 2.5 - 3 hours after our communication with the ship.

Still have not heard what caused the breakdown, but it sorta sounds like an issue with the fuel tank pick up maybe? We could not get fuel to the engine. It was running 5k and then just turned off, with no warning.

I doubt I will forget the EPRIB and we will bring better clothes for offshore trips and maybe even a sat phone. We could have sat there a long time, if we had to wait for the float plan to be relayed (from shore) to the coast guard that we were simply over due.

I had shorts on but also a decent boat coat. I was somewhat hypothermic during the wet ride in while laying on the deck. At one point, I got leg cramps in both upper legs and when I finally was able to stand, the calves were on the verge of spasm as well, never had something like that before. It was not pleasant, that kind of gradual, cooling over several hours is somewhat insidious.

The seas were really picking up that night and with a low bow, and 5 guys and no way to charge the batteries, and if we had to sit all night on the hook, our safety was definitely compromised. We were a little short on scope on the anchor line too.

[SEATUX]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply.
I have a shit house full of flares on board...NEVER discard out of date flares, just keep them with the new ones!
EPIRBS were expensive at one time, but not now, they're cheap and Small.

But...ALL'S WELL ...THAT ENDS WELL!

Seriously...I'm glad everyone is safe and sound.

Like I said, it could have been MUCH worse.

[speargunking]

sorry about the engine problems.. but i have to say if you wonder why sharks were around maybe cause you gutted the fish in the water.. I have been spearfishing the gulf since 1980 and I have not even thought once about gutting fish under water.. I understand its great cause when you get back to the boat they are ready for icing.. I normally gut fish once were done diving a spot and moving to another.. then gut and that way maybe the spot you just left with attract sharks as you move another mile or so away.. but I enjoyed the video and the vis looks pretty decent..

[Diverboy067]

Just a couple of thoughts.....

These two things don't cure all fuel flow issues, but in a lot of instances they will get you going again.
1) Always carry an extra fuel/water separator filter with you.
2) Always carry the appropriate size primer bulb for your fuel line, along with two band clamps. If a fuel pump or existing primer bulb goes south, the fuel primer bulb can be installed to get you home.

On the EPIRB, this was not the situation to use one....at least not for the first few hours. An EPIRB is only to be used in a case of peril or imminent danger, neither of those were present with a dead motor, decent seas, day light hours and an anchor (even if the scope was a bit short).

Always carry enough water and snacks to get the number of people on board through a 24 hour period. You don't have to eat like a king, but a few granola bars go a long way, even on a slow tow back in. On my boat or someone else, I always bring a back pack that has a towel, rain jacket, EPIRB, sunscreen, couple water bottles and food. I have had the unfortunate experience of an 8 hour trip turn into a 20 hour trip....a little water, food and proper clothing goes a long way, both mentally and physically.

Glad you made it back safely......sometimes a little discomfort and unpleasantness will provide the needed motivation to be better prepared in the future.

[jfjf]

Thanks for the comments. All good advice.

Although, if we had no radio communication, the forecast was degrading and we were dead in the water, why not "press the button" on the EPIRB early? Do you have to be taking on water to request a rescue?

[Diverboy067]

Originally Posted by jfjf

Thanks for the comments. All good advice.

Although, if we had no radio communication, the forecast was degrading and we were dead in the water, why not "press the button" on the EPIRB early? Do you have to be taking on water to request a rescue?

Couple of things I have found posted about EPIRBS:

When should you activate your EPIRB?
EPIRBs and PLBs should only be used when:
1) there is an emergency and you believe you are in imminent danger; or.
2) when you are told to do so by a rescue authority.

From the ACR ARTEX website...

When Should You Activate An EPIRB?
You should only activate an EPIRB when you are grave and imminent danger. When the loss of life, limb, or valuable property is likely without emergency assistance. From a sinking vessel, to a medical emergency onboard while you are out at sea, an EPIRB is a critical piece of your boats safety gear to get you rescued quickly.


I guess it's up to personal interpretation of what is "imminent danger". You could always call the non emergency number for the Palm Beach Coast Guard Station and ask their opinion, they were very helpful the one time I did call them with a question.

[SEATUX]

Originally Posted by Diverboy067

Couple of things I have found posted about EPIRBS:

When should you activate your EPIRB?
EPIRBs and PLBs should only be used when:
1) there is an emergency and you believe you are in imminent danger; or.
2) when you are told to do so by a rescue authority.

From the ACR ARTEX website...

When Should You Activate An EPIRB?
You should only activate an EPIRB when you are grave and imminent danger. When the loss of life, limb, or valuable property is likely without emergency assistance. From a sinking vessel, to a medical emergency onboard while you are out at sea, an EPIRB is a critical piece of your boats safety gear to get you rescued quickly.


I guess it's up to personal interpretation of what is "imminent danger". You could always call the non emergency number for the Palm Beach Coast Guard Station and ask their opinion, they were very helpful the one time I did call them with a question.

Agreed to the above.
If you activate your EPIRB Don't expect a tow to shore, more likely a helicopter will show up to rescue you, so be prepared to scuttle your boat.
So if that is the dire circumstances you are faceing, activate your EPIRB.

[Gary Schulte]

I’ve been 25 miles off hernando beach and shit turned sideways. We got back but it not through some ingenuity and luck. Otherwise we would have been in for a long cold night. First rule is stay warm. Bundle up because that cold will wear you out. Have good flares and signaling equipment. Do a radio check in the morning. Cell phones don’t work outside of 5 miles. Shit happens and you can’t anticipate everything but if you have a float plan, a way to keep your body warm, fed, and have drinks. Sea tow is essential but you have to reach them.