Re: [Paddlewise] Mutual Assistance

At 03:53 AM 12/8/98 -0800, Dave Kruger wrote:
>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? 

I can't speak for others but I end up rendering assistance to other types of
vessels several times per year. As I said in an earlier post, I don't
generally monitor channel 16 (limited testing I have done with my NiCad
power VHF's has shown that transmitting performance drops significantly,
while they still recieve fine - so until I go to something to another
battery source I probably won't change). I do however watch what is going on
around me, and things like a boat losing power or yes even a dreaded jet
skier needing assistance, have been helped. Kayaks, with a strong paddler
make a workable towing craft. The caveat is, that with larger vessels, once
you get them moving you have to be exceptionally carefull in docking not to
get crushed. Another issue is that while you can apply enough power to move
them, once they get going they tend to steer you rather than vise versa, so
you want to be able to let go of the line quickly. The only boat over 25
feet or so I have assisted was a huge 40 foot sailing yacht that lost power
in the ship canal between the Ballard Locks and Lake Union in Seattle. The
sheer size, and the difficulty I had getting it to a dock safely was
definitely scarry (I'm sure it looked hilarious to the passing power boaters).

We can help in other ways as well, with medical assistance being another
area that comes to mind. Probably the biggest plus I see from our rendering
assistance, is that it increases the respect others have towards our craft
and elevates them from mere toys that don't belong on the water to actual
vessels.

So even if you don't monitor your radio, you can render assistance, as long
as you pay attention.

My thoughts for now. - Saul


Saul Kinderis     saul_at_isomedia.com          tel:(425)402-3426

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