Thank God for my CSR friend

Glad everything turned out ok. This first hand narrative should cause us all to review how prepared we are for the "what ifs".
 
I appreciate all the good ideas and suggestions about what to do next time... It is easy to be the Monday morning quarterback or quote what the "book" says, but we did not have many options.

We could have left earlier, not stopped, but our friend was in the ocean, and we were determined to make sure he was safe... If something had happened to Paul and Olga we both would have been out that inlet searching for him when the storm passed.

My anchor windlass was jammed with gordian knot, the breaker tripped and broken... Even with 100' of chain and 20' of rope my anchor was not holding... We both had our engines running. If we would have split up I would have been not be able to retrieve my anchor, and would have been forced to cut my rode... If we were able to pull up the anchors, there was no space wide an deep enough to ensure safe maneuverability, remember the Barnegat has an average depth of 3'... All the charter fishing boat were headed through the inlet, to port, in the midst of the storm... They know what to do, and for them it was get out of the Ocean and back to port... The people on those boat were cheering as if they just had the ride of their lives.

In hindsight, I think we should have listened to my wife's suggestion of moving our anchoring spot further in, with a twist... I would have headed over to the HBH marina and grabbed a "T' dock slip and tied up until the storm passed... I can say now, that I am glad for my friend, and now we have a story, a little more experience, a closer friendship, and I am putting my spare Danforth anchor on my boat tomorrow...

I couldn't agree with you more, Rod. There's a fine line between theoretical and practical things. That reminds me an old, but a good joke:

A little kid comes to his dad and asks “Dad, can you explain me what’s the difference between theoretical and practical things?” the dad thinks for a moment and says “it’s a tough one, but I’ll do my best to make you understand. Here’s what you do, go to your mom and ask her this question…..if a man offers you $1mill would you sleep with him?”. The kid goes and pops the question to his mom and asks for an honest answer. Mom, thinking hard says “well, honestly considering our financial situation I would probably take the offer”. The son goes back to his dad and delivers his findings. Then, the dad says “ok, now go ask the same thing your older sister”. The son goes to pop the question to his sister asking for an honest answer. For all you know, his sister’s response was pretty much the same as mother’s. So, the kid goes back to his dad and tells him about his findings to the question. So, finally dad says “ok my dear, you see……theoretically, we’re millionaires, but practically we’re leaving with two sluts under the same roof”.

As for looking at other options, I would not go in closer to shore simply because there was not enough room to swing if the wind would shift 180 degrees, we would be 100% grounded. The spot we had was perfect in that respect. If you went for the T at HBHYC, I can only imagine the docking situation. GOD knows what kind of damage you might have sustained during the attempt. My logic was that we were in sheltered anchorage area, so all we needed is to make sure that our anchor is holding well. Ones this happens the rest is just waiting for the storm to pass and keep a look out for others not to drag in to us. That’s what we did.

So, let’s analyze the other option of “what if”. What if we had split up right before the storm? At this point no changes on my part as I have my anchor down and all I need is just more scope. This means that Rod takes off and finds a new spot to drop his anchor. The storm approaches Rod is drifting, he lays out more scope and his windlass gets stock with tripped breaker (I’m rewinding back all the events that took place in regards to technical issues we had with Rod’s boat). So, now he’s dragging on his own with 100’ of chain out and dead windlass at approximately 3-5kts (possibly faster) in limited space full of boats, mooring balls, nav. buoys and Marsh Island. Would he have enough time to react properly by firing the engines and keeping the boat away from the dragging course? I don’t know, may be but may be not. However, there was a good chance for him to end up on that Marsh island or nav. buoy or somewhere else.

So, now let’s go back to our scenario. We’re rafted and my anchor, even though dragging, but still slows us down giving us more time to react. I’m letting more scope out as we drag. At any given moment I don’t recall any indication that our boats were in any type of danger of damaging each other. So, the only thing I was focusing on is to try avoiding anything behind us and adjust the anchor to the point when it starting to hold well. It was only a matter of time until this happened and we were able to settle things down.

Now, let’s go over the other scenario – riding the storm. We all know that Barnegat Bay is a bathtub with lots of shoals and narrow channels. What are the advantages of being underway zigzagging in the channel with limited visibility? From last couple stories I heard people ended up with water gushing through the windshield, broken wipers and more issues. So, why the hell would I leave a sheltered area? It's beyond my logic. If I was in the ocean and deeper water, would I be better off? You would have to be kidding me if anyone says that it's better option. Do you guys remember what Danianna was going through? Even with our power boats it would have been very nasty ride you would regret having. With waves crasshing over the deck that means your boat is rocking big time. So, that makes me think that chances are you might end up with much more damage in the cabin other than windshield wipers. I know that cargo ships occasionally keep the engines running to just keep their position and bow against the waves and the wind when they’re in deep waters. They do it for several days until the storm calms down. Hey, let’s not kid ourselves our boats are not cargo ships and are not capable of doing exactly the same thing.

So, in the end, if you ask me what would I do differently providing that I’m in exactly the same situation? I would fire up the engines much sooner than I did instead of working the anchor.

At this time I’m still trying to analyze the puzzling question, why the 100’ of Rod’s chain would not hold in 10’ of water while my 20’ of chain with ~170’-200’ of line would be the day saver?
 
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All things considered... I think we made out well. I do honestly believe that we had some help from above ( Nancy and girls were praying for us and Danianna), that anchor held just in time... I am still amazed how calm Alex remained the whole time... As we were on the bow repairing the windless, in the storm, I remember saying at when we are fixing things, it helps keep our minds from worring (at that time, about our friend in the ocean). You are never too old to learn for a younger man or woman. I have read and studied the "books" but somehow there is nothing that can truely help you more than being with a friend...
 
That was some storm. We were at Tices Shoal Sunday and saw the clouds coming. My neice had a weather service on her phone and showed me the doppler radar. As soon as I saw what was coming, we took off. I'm glad you guys are all ok and no one got hurt.
 
That was some storm. We were at Tices Shoal Sunday and saw the clouds coming. My neice had a weather service on her phone and showed me the doppler radar. As soon as I saw what was coming, we took off. I'm glad you guys are all ok and no one got hurt.

That would have been a nightmare if you stayed... Tice's Shoal is too open, too may boats... I am sure many ended up on the beach... The wind would have come directly across the Barnegat Bay unobstructed by at least 10 miles of open water... With probable 200-300 boats in a confinded area, I am sure it was a mess... I am glad you made it out in time...
 
I'm sure you saw this..."training" on a sailboat in that storm with NO LIFE JACKET on. Very sad. http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100726028

These kind of things individually teach us things that stay with us for life and other people never understand. I was 15 and solo sailing a daysailer and got caught in a storm like that... and was not wearing a life jacket... it blew off the boat along with everything else. Was I stupid? Probably... I'm lucky I lived through that and you all probably noticed that our family wears life jackets 100% of the time even on a 480 DB.... and some say it's overkill but it's what I feel comfortable with based on a bad experience from many years ago. I'm sure some things will change (for the better) on how you operate your boat after going through that storm... but that's a good thing.
 
Rod/Alex that was some experience. I'm glad everyone made it out safe. Sorry to hear about the damage to Rod's boat.

When that storm hit, I was less than 1/2 mile from my cove. My initial plan was to stay out in the bay and ride it out. However, there were so many boats running for cover, that I decided it was safer to leave the channel and troll into my cove. Boats were buzzing around on plane in zero visibility. (no shortage of idiots in my neck of the woods) I sent my wife and daughter down into the cabin, while my friend Jeff and my son tried to hide from the driving rain under a towel on the back of the boat. (It didnt work, but they at least had fun trying)

As I entered the day markers to my cove, the wind caught the nose of my boat and turned me 180 degrees. There were 2 other boats within 200 feet of me. At that point I decided I would be better off driving into my canal and let the houses break the wind. It would have been a good plan, if I didn’t run over the no-wake buoy and wrap a chain around my port shaft.
 
Wow, glad everyone made it through relatively ok, we were just off of Sandy Hook when it hit. I was watching the radar maps and listening to the weather forcasts, I think that was making me more nervous than the actual storm. We just kept motoring along, i was amazed how well the boat handled the storm, Other than the bow sunpad blowing loose, we did fine. There were a ton of PAN PAN calls to the Coast Guard, I actually heard the one in the link above, they were asking about the currents, so they knew where to look, very sad. We were getting close to the Statue when another boat called in saying they lost engine power, we headed that way, but the Coast Guard beat us.
 
Rod/Alex that was some experience. I'm glad everyone made it out safe. Sorry to hear about the damage to Rod's boat.

When that storm hit, I was less than 1/2 mile from my cove. My initial plan was to stay out in the bay and ride it out. However, there were so many boats running for cover, that I decided it was safer to leave the channel and troll into my cove. Boats were buzzing around on plane in zero visibility. (no shortage of idiots in my neck of the woods) I sent my wife and daughter down into the cabin, while my friend Jeff and my son tried to hide from the driving rain under a towel on the back of the boat. (It didnt work, but they at least had fun trying)

As I entered the day markers to my cove, the wind caught the nose of my boat and turned me 180 degrees. There were 2 other boats within 200 feet of me. At that point I decided I would be better off driving into my canal and let the houses break the wind. It would have been a good plan, if I didn’t run over the no-wake buoy and wrap a chain around my port shaft.

Vince,
My wife actually remembered that you guys were planning to leave later in the afternoon. I was thinking that possibly you knew by that time that the storm was getting bad and may be you would delay your departure.

It looks like you had experience of its own. Based on what you describe is another proof for myself that staying in sheltered harbor is the best thing. People worry about dragging boats, but often forget about idiots flying on plane in near to zero visibility. Talking about risk factor, I rather colide with a boat while dragging my anchor vs. an idiot running in to me on plane.

A quick question, when you saw the sky getting dark why didn't you put up your canvas?
 
Greg, we were wondering how you did in the storm. we kept looking back to see if you were catching up to us.

Some kid thought it was a good idea to go swimming in the east river, then about half way across he flagged a sailboat for help. he fished him out and called the coast guard to see what to do with him as there was no place to dock. They sent a boat to get him, he got nervous that he would get in trouble so he jumped back in. They fished him out again.
 
Greg, we were wondering how you did in the storm. we kept looking back to see if you were catching up to us.

Some kid thought it was a good idea to go swimming in the east river, then about half way across he flagged a sailboat for help. he fished him out and called the coast guard to see what to do with him as there was no place to dock. They sent a boat to get him, he got nervous that he would get in trouble so he jumped back in. They fished him out again.


Maybe he had a flashback from the Rio Grande?:huh: Did anyone say "Imigration" on the VHF, before he jumped off the sailboat???
 
when you saw the sky getting dark why didn't you put up your canvas?

I'd keep it down to prevent getting torn to shreds.
 
Our canvas held up very well... The wind was blowing so hard that I did not put up the aft curtain, and the boat stayed relatively dry... It was exciting, and put more hair on my chest, unfortunately it just moved from my head... :huh: Next year, I vote that we have a Captain's meeting :thumbsup: prior to our morning departure and discuss the weather, and who is traveling with whom... The party is not over until everyone is home safe and sound...
 
I'd keep it down to prevent getting torn to shreds.

Ron,

Ever since I own a boat with full camper (starting from 2004 on my 240DA) it goes up in spring and goes down only for winter storage.

Saving your canvas should be another reason to stay on the hook in sheltered harbor vs. riding the storm. If you travel against the wind you have to add your speed to the speed of the wind and that final number will be the force that hits your canvas. Staying anchored your canvas is only taking the bitting from the wind speed and no other variables.

Next year, I vote that we have a Captain's meeting :thumbsup: prior to our morning departure and discuss the weather, and who is traveling with whom... The party is not over until everyone is home safe and sound...

Rod,

That is an excellent idea!
 
Next year, I vote that we have a Captain's meeting :thumbsup: prior to our morning departure and discuss the weather, and who is traveling with whom... The party is not over until everyone is home safe and sound...

The diesel guys had a captains meeting that morning:

DSC_0450.jpg


Y'all didn't have one on the dinghy dock? :grin:
 
The diesel guys had a captains meeting that morning:

DSC_0450.jpg


Y'all didn't have one on the dinghy dock? :grin:

I think the agenda of that meeting was the quality of the mudslides, but defenatelly not the weather :lol:.
 
Actually, we did discuss the weather.

My original plans were to stay in AC till early afternoon. After checking on the weather reports and seeing severe storm warnings from the impending cold front coming in, I changed my plans, left early and went straight home.

I watched the storm from my lounge chair in the sunroom....all comfy and dry.
 
Vince,
A quick question, when you saw the sky getting dark why didn't you put up your canvas?

I knew storms were coming, but didn't realize they were going to be that intense. I had a nice run from AC to Barneget. I was cruising between 24 and 27 knots the entire way. I picked up a bunch of eel grass coming through Barneget inlet and could barely get on plane. I had to leave the crazy busy channel and back up to shake it loose.

I decided to stop for fuel at Forked River and it took longer than anticipated. That is when I first saw the dark clouds in the distance. At that point I put up the 2 outer canvas windows and left the center one off for ventilation. I left Forked River and made it just north of Chadwick before the first rain drops hit. I stopped and put up the middle window, but didnt bother to snap it to the windshield. I was only about 1 mile away from my cove when the heavy rain and wind hit. I slowed to a troll and nearly got run over by a 50+ footer barreling towards me on plane. Just as I left the main channel the heavy winds blew the window in.

In hindsight, I might have been better off leaving the windows off and putting foul weather gear and deal with the rain. I ended up putting on a rain coat in the middle of the storm anyway. If I did that I would have at least been able to see.
 
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The one time I was stuck in a similar situation, the only piece of canvas that was up was the bimini, and I took it down. Boat got real wet but boats are made to get wet! That was a pretty famouse storm. Everything back at the marina was blown away - BBQs, tables, etc. Heading back in the aftermath, there was a huge law enforcement presence on the water, many capsized boats on the bay and a tiny sailboat race that was caught in the mess. Ambulances along the shoreline - not a pretty site. 60mph winds through Bricktown.
 
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