I Was Going To Burn Up Some Gas Anyway, So ...

[jay_merrill]

I've been seeing this buoy lying up against a railroad trestle out in the marshes for over a year. I've reported it a couple of times, but the Coast Guard had not been able to find it. Although it was in a reasonably well traveled canal, I can understand that. Most of the guys who are stationed here are not from the area, and its riddled with lakes, ponds, canals, etc. If you don't know our "maze" well, its hard to find something and you can get lost pretty easily too.

I finally just decided to hook the thing up and drag it out of the canal, into the Intercoastal Waterway. I keep various USCG phone numbers in my cell phone, so I called them today to discuss where to leave it, and we decided on a green day marker a few miles from where it had been deposited by a storm, possibly Hurricane Katrina.

So, I got to enjoy an afternoon in the boat and did something useful in the process. What the heck, its only gas and since buying the stuff doesn't hurt as bad as it did last summer, why not?

Semper Paratus!

 

[jdlough]

Re: I Was Going To Burn Up Some Gas Anyway, So ...

Way to go, Jay!!

I think for your quick, unselfish action, Iboats should give you a field promotion to Admiral.

Jim

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: I Was Going To Burn Up Some Gas Anyway, So ...

LOL! Thanks, but I actually like doing this sort of stuff, so its not entirely unselfish.

It was also a great day here today - a bit hot but just a few clouds and very little wind. Most of the shrimpers were laid up, either at anchor or at the dock, but I managed to get a few photos as they began to head out for the night's work.

 

[skargo]

Re: I Was Going To Burn Up Some Gas Anyway, So ...

Good job!

 

[mmccoy555]

Re: I Was Going To Burn Up Some Gas Anyway, So ...

Nice work! Should have brought it home and stuck it in your front yard. Would have made a great lawn orniment.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: I Was Going To Burn Up Some Gas Anyway, So ...

One of the things tha amuses me about doing this sort of thing, is that my 37 year old Johnson just keeps on going. The motor has proven to be a real workhorse, and it has defied what many have said about old outboards in general and hydro-elecric shift motors in particular.

While I can't argue that the newer motors are more environmentally friendly, there isn't much else about them that would get me to give this one up!

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: I Was Going To Burn Up Some Gas Anyway, So ...

Sea Horse Baby !

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: I Was Going To Burn Up Some Gas Anyway, So ...

OK, I admit it - I hate unfinished business. The CG Aids to Navigation guys have been very busy and just haven't had the time to go retrieve my "Katrina Refugee." I wanted to go out to grab some pics yesterday, so I hooked the buoy up again and made a slow trip up the ICW, to deliver it to them. I managed to get some decent pics along the way and even this one will probably be useful for something.

I also like the idea of helping "the guys" out. The Coast Guard has always been underfunded, underequipped and understaffed, so giving them one less thing to worry about, seems like a good thing to do.

Besides, I get to be an "old coot" and shoot the breeze with them about "back in the old Guard ....."