[Bushwacker]

The Fl. legislature passed a new law today giving folks a whopping $4 discount on their boat registration fee if you spend several hundred $ to buy an EPIRB or about $250 for a PLB. It was inspired by the 2 kids that went missing out of Jupiter inlet in their 18' SeaCraft last summer. In response to this news, my crusty old friend Bob who owned the Moesly 21 "UNOHU" that I made numerous Bahama trips with, sent a letter to the editor of the Palm Beach Post today pointing out that an EPIRB provides a false sense of security, because it takes a lot more than just a single electronic gadget to insure safety on an offshore trip! Thought y'all might enjoy his thoughts on the subject in the following email he sent me this morning:

Dear Editor:

Having crossed the Gulf Stream about 60 times during 30 years, my small boat navigation experience qualifies me to note a false sense of security likely to be brought by depending solely upon a radio beacon (EPURB or other). The beacon benefits only after encountering trouble. Whereas, boaters need to be trained and to obey cautions that prevent hazards and/or provide immediate rescue in life-threatening situations at sea. Gulf Stream boaters always face numerous potential situations that may require URGENT rescue:

1. FIRE – electrical and/or fuel – (fuel + spark = FIRE !).
2. EXPLOSION – gasoline fuel floods the bilge – STOP the engine !
3. RUPTURED FUEL TANK – caused by wear & tear + rough sea.
4. HULL and/or PROPELLER DAMAGE - from rough sea or striking a submerged or unseen object.
5. LIGHTNING – EVERY boat on the ocean is a Lightning Rod !
6. FUEL DEPLETION – insufficient fuel, leak or navigation error (Even with a GPS).
7. ENGINE FAILURE - with inability to repair and/or unavailable spare part(s).
8. RADIO and/or BEACON FAILURE – (YES, the beacon is also “electrical.” - ‘Nuff said !).

Of course, the obvious measure for avoiding threats is to be with at least ONE other boat, equipped with a proper tow-line! Twice, I crossed alone with a single engine and one radio, fortunately with no mishap. Later, I became educated to the fact that ANY ONE of these 8 listed hazards could render me and my family helpless in the infamous “Bermuda Triangle.” And, these cautions apply to ANY and ALL boats that are too small to carry a life boat or dingy. AND, your inflatable raft, must not leak after an explosion, lightning, etc. –

So, BE SAFE - Find a dependable partner.

The reply to Bob's note from another member of our flotilla follows, with Bob's comments in red:

Words of wisdom that I have benefited from! Remember you towing me and my Nova from just off the bank towards WPB when my lower unit broke? I believe that qualifies you as "a dependable partner"! Thanks, again! :+) The Big Rose pulled me across the gulfstream another time when one of my two engines failed and I was still at Grand Cay. Did not want to risk a solo crossing with one motor! As it were, the Fubar, was broken down just off Grand and he hooked on behind me so we both spent about 10 hours on a tow line!

Remember?! I was there!

I have been a “victim” of and/or have seen others in EVERY one of these situations. I didn’t have space to tell about your parents and my boat having had another boat actually soar INTO our boats ! – And,you know, those guys actually said I caused the collision because I had reduced speed. (I wanted to tell ’em their boat was coming apart. - Couldn’t raise ‘em on the radio.)

Craig’s pal, George X X X X, ridiculed me for having so many spare parts during the briefing at our home and again as we were pulling out of West End. When we reached Mangrove Cay, they motioned me over to ask if I could spare a can of oil. - Had to give ‘em 2 more cans at Cooper’s Town.

Alma Beck knocked her outdrive CLEAN-OFF coming across at night. A boat picked ‘em up in the morning. You had a similar fate right out here off Singer Island. We will NEVER know what you hit. Most likely a turtle. The keel of my “UNOHU” had a “green” scar from a turtle I had struck out in the Gulf.