Maximum help in a day?

[Sikiguya]

Okay, question posed..

What is the maximum number of boaters you have helped in a day?

It was three for me.

First, at the launch ramp, I watch a young family paddle their fishing boat into the ramp area. I asked how they were doing as we were launching our boat. Turns out that they have paddled 300 yards to get back. Seemed like his battery ran out. I help them get their boat onto their trailer before taking off.

Two, we leave the ramp and just started to circle the lake when I noticed a man motioning at me. Told the wife to pull close and see what was going on. His speedboat engine would not start. He had been pulling his boy in a tube, then stop, and the engine would not start. So, I towed him back to the ramp.

Three, we again start to go boating when I looked over and see a boat...with 6 people hanging off all around it....swimming. I again asked my wife to go over and asked if they needed help. A woman on board shouted,"YES!"....apparently, their fuel gauge wasn't working and they ran out of gas. Again, we started to tow them toward their dock. On the way, a boy in a kayak paddled up to us. He obviously knew the people on board. He announced that he was there to simply laugh at them.....unless he paddle right between the boats and had to ditch. Their boat almost knocked him silly...we were at no wake speed. He couldn't upright his kayak and several of the girls jumped in and helped him!...

That was before one lap around our lake....I hope it is karma and that what goes around comes around!....good luck coming my way???!!

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: Maximum help in a day?

Congrats on the 1,2,3, help. That is awesome. You are a superhero.

Helping people is what it is really about, on the water at the job and on this fine forum.

I help anybody who needs it, some ask, some don't need to.

I don't want to meet and greet a whole bunch of people but if they are in need. I will be there.

 

[Aqualift]

Re: Maximum help in a day?

The other day, I helped a a couple of college aged boaters who needed some jumper cables because their main battery in the boat was dead. I regret it big time. They thanked me and told me that I saved their day. Later out on the water, they started drinking beer and making big wakes around me and other boaters that were fishing. (shore fisherman too) A few hours after that, they did a high speed pass very close to the small dock where I had my boat tied up and the large wake would have done some damage, if it wasn't for my quick actions to protect it. I think I will be more careful of who I help in the future.

 

[Brokenjaw]

Re: Maximum help in a day?

Well since I am the Dock Master for a Marina, I have to help any/all that call us for help or if I see them while taking a boat out for a sea trial.

Last year I saved 5 drunks who flipped over a 16' skiff, 2 of them could not swim, and non of them were wearing their life jackets.

 

[Thad]

Re: Maximum help in a day?

Does pulling the same boat twice in one day count as two? If not, then five is my all time high. If it does, six.

My wife gets a little put out at me some times, says "let it be the next guys turn to help". I remind her that I am "the next guy" and would be in a bad way if we ever needed help and the only boat to go by us in an hour said the same thing.
I have helped by towing to a ramp, to getting an engine started, to rendering first aid. Gonna nickname my boat "RRR" (Rock River Rescue)
There is NO excuse to not at least offer assistance! Every person on that water, regardless of their behavior, is someones dad, mom, son, or daughter, etc.
I'm glad to be a part of this forum that has members who seem to take pride in everyday life accomplishments...no matter how trivial they may seem at the time.
And to all of the people over the years that have helped me one way or another...THANK YOU

 

[rp23g7]

Re: Maximum help in a day?

I will help anyone also. I have been there, first time out in my (new) to me 88 Bayliner in 2003. Outdrive blew up, only calm day in March, no one out there at all. We wave down a passing cruiser, they gave us a tow back. That OMC gave me a crash course in marine mechanics.

I was out a yr ago, and noticeed a boat smokeing, turned out it was steam, it had over heated. I asked the guy if he wanted a tow in, he said he had called Vessel Assist. I ask if he had insurance, he said no.

I tell him it will be expensive, he didnt want anything to happen to his boat. We leave, and just happen to meet him a few weeks later at the dock.

I said he should have taken me up on his offer. It cost him $600 for the VA tow. YIKES

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Maximum help in a day?

I have not seen any broke down boats around here thankfully, Lake Michigan is a much preferred lake for me as all these inland lakes are too crowded.

I would help anyone I could, and hope for the same if I'm ever in that situation. I been real happy with the reliability on this old boat so far.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Maximum help in a day?

I voted without reading closely enough
I thought (assumed) you were asking who helped you
I'd rather keep some info to myself but will brag loud & proud about those who have helped ME

 

[Sikiguya]

Re: Maximum help in a day?

Glad to see others doing the same!!! For me, it just happened one, two, three in a row. This was on a smaller lake!

Aqualift...I am so sorry to hear that you had regret. I bet that if the situation repeats, you would have the same thing. Good people tend to do the right thing....