Re: [Paddlewise] Israeli kayakers rescued in Alaska (USCG video)

From: Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:34:10 -0700
James wrote:
> Craig Jungers: Most people believe that a vessel needs to be abandoned
> before it can be salvaged. This is not the truth. The fine line between
> a rescue and a salvage generally has to do with the risk to the vessel,
> the damage to the vessel, and the risk to the potential salvor.
> 
> 
> Does anyone remember the story of Goetz Hanisch, the guy at Rose Harbour
> in the Queen Charlottes?  He told me the tale but I've forgot it after
> all these years. 

> The court's decision is also a good story:
> http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/Jdb-txt/CA/04/05/2004BCCA0539.htm

Do I ever remember this story!  I was camped with three others across 
Houston Stewart Channel that night and heard some of the VHF dialog between 
Goetz and the Parks Canada personnel.  It was a fierce, raging NE gale 
where they were.  Several of the 8-10 trollers and fishboats anchored in 
HSC that night slipped their spots and had to motor against the wind to 
stay put, even with a hook down.

We were snug as bugs in a rug on our protected shore, but had a ringside 
seat for it all.  The next day was our scheduled ride back to Moresby Camp, 
and we figured the outfitter (Moresby Explorers) would likely forgo the 
pickup and show up a day later.  NOT!  Bill, head guide for Doug Gould, 
slipped the nose of their Polaris onto our beach and gave us the ride of 
our lives, against terrifying head seas, all the way up to Skincuttle 
Inlet.  After that, the remainder was largely protected.

Bill said it was his roughest ride ever and mainly regretted he could not 
smoke and helm the RIB.

BTW, Goetz had (has?) a reputation for combativeness.  Our scan on the 
incident was that Goetz just wanted to pull their chain a bit.  If they had 
jollied him around, I suspect it would have all gone away.  Parks has a 
real PR problem with many of the locals in the Charlottes. I believe.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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Received on Wed Aug 19 2009 - 21:34:18 PDT

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