Three Idiots and a Guardian Angle

[Solittle]

This week the Coast Guard rescued three men who had been adrift in their 30 year old 17' cc since Christmas day. They were spotted over 100 miles north of Miami. They had been fishing several miles off shore from Miami. Their outboard died - no details on the problem given. <br /><br />Winds varied during their ordeal (up to 30 knots)but waves topped 10' as the Gulf Stream carried them north.<br /><br />They had no working VHF radio and were only able to make one cell phone call after their engine died. The Coast Guard immediately launched a massive search.<br /><br />They had a hard working Guardian Angle who kept them afloat. They had one small jug of water and were wearing lite clothes. All were expected to recover completely. The Angle was later overheard to say "What a bunch of idiots!!!"<br /><br />Unfortunately I read a story like this about idiots like these every 3 or 4 months here in Miami. Many do not have a happy ending. I hope my Guardian Angle never has to call me an idiot.

 

[shep70057]

Re: Three Idiots and a Guardian Angle

You mean ANGEL??

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Three Idiots and a Guardian Angle

Yup.. All to familiar story.. It was cold too (40's)... <br /><br /> You're right about the guardian angel stuff, SoLittle.. Lucky for them the stream did'nt take them any further north where it was really bad.. Heard of 50 mph wind gusts clocked sunday morning at Jupiter inlet... <br /><br />Good set of eyeballs up in a C-130 spotted those guys about 17 miles east of Lake Worth/Palm Beach inlet.. <br /><br />I love my VHF...

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Three Idiots and a Guardian Angle

There's always an angle......

 

[Solittle]

Re: Three Idiots and a Guardian Angle

I have been informed that both Angels and Angles are on God's payroll.<br /><br />Spelling is a gift that I was never given.

 

[JB]

Re: Three Idiots and a Guardian Angle

I towed in more than one boatload of "unprepared" fishermen from the Gulfstream off Ft. Likkerdale to Palm Beach.<br /><br />Everybody is stupid about something. If you are trying to do a thing you are stupid about you need a guardian angel. . . even if it is some old f..., er, fellow in a Boston Whaler.

 

[cuzner]

Re: Three Idiots and a Guardian Angle

We call them "happy idiots" ignorance is bliss... so they say.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[llfish]

Re: Three Idiots and a Guardian Angle

Coast Guard sure saves a lot of peoples bacon each year.<br /><br />Are radios required on vessels on the high seas? They should be because commonsense is used by only a small number of us.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Three Idiots and a Guardian Angle

A VHF radio is not required but can be a lifesaver. All boaters who have them are "supposed" to monitor channel 16. Channel is also monitored by the Coast Guard - - help is only a call away. These guys at least had a cell phone but from what I have heard the coverage can be sketchy - - not counting a dead battery.<br /><br />I have a VHF, carry a cell phone and have marine towing insurance. My "Guardian Angel/Angle" would beat the crap out of me if I didn't - - she says she works too hard as it is keeping me out of trouble.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Three Idiots and a Guardian Angle

Radios are not required per se'. But, you can still be cited for a "Manifestly Unsafe Voyage" for going offshore without one. Especially if you get in trouble like these guys did.