Re: [Paddlewise] Mutual Assistance

A few days ago, as part of a discussion on use of EPIRBS and VHF radios,
Richard Mitchell wrote:

> [snip] The discussion thus far has been about high
> and higher tech solutions to emergency assistance.  But what else
> can we do?  How can the community of boaters support each other
> without delegation to some hi-tech government agency?  For
> centuries mariners lent each other assistance in times of
> difficulty.   Can we not continue to do so now?  Smoke and flares
> and VHF are a potent combination if we all do our parts.  There
> is a middle ground between "rugged" individualism go it alone,
> and total technological dependence.  This discussion forum is one
> example -- we share useful and timely information and cooperate
> in solving mutual puzzles and problems.  Can we not do the the
> same in paddling emergencies?  Where do kayakers fit in the
> long-standing tradition of mutual assistance from mariners?  Are
> we merely a potential nuisance, trouble about to happen, or can
> we add to the collective support net?  What do we think?

I've been waiting for someone to respond.  No one has.  Perhaps Rich has
raised an issue which makes us uncomfortable.

Are we such weenie, small craft with such limited capabilities that we are
only fit to be "rescued" and not part of the web of mariners who might
assist those in distress?

Is that why responders to the "do I leave my VHF on to monitor 16" question
are running about 2:1 in the "no" direction?

I suspect none of us would abandon another kayaker who needed our help
(unless to do so would be obviously hopeless, and only severely endanger
ourselves).  Part of that obligation is to do whatever is reasonable and
practical to assist others on the water.

I'd really like to know how others feel about this.  Maybe some scenarios
will get the juices folowing out there in the collective Paddlewise craw.

1. Suppose you were paddling along on a nice sunny day, minding your own
business, and a jetskier slashed by you at 40 knots, did a donut in front
of you, and fell off, clonking her head hard enough to render herself
unconscious. What would your response be?  Would you ignore her and keep on
trucking?

2. Or, how about this:  kinda sloppy day, and there's an open skiff off
about a half mile, dead in the water, with a guy standing up, waving his
shirt wildly.  Not your problem?  You're incapable of towing his craft, so
you head on to the latte bar?

3. And, the sublime:  large powercraft, obviously driven by a drunken bozo,
runs aground on a sandbar, tossing party-people around, a quarter mile to
your left.  The bozo establishes an anchor to his stern and begins to winch
himself off.  It looks like he will be successful.  Do you let him go, to
wend his drunken ways onward?  Or, do you slide to his side, Antabuse in
hand, and radio the Marine Patrol slyly as you slink away?

Serve.  

Volley?

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR

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