Last year when we left Edgecomb for Cape Cod, we called a nearby boat durring the night named ISLAND ROSE. Since the seas were horrible and the wind 25+ we agreed to a brief converstion on VHF every 2 hours throughout the nite.

At one point, we got no return from ISLAND ROSE. About an hour latter, Gene called back and said that he had lost his head stay and roller furler and it took him about an hour to lasoo it and secure it in the high seas. Luckily he did not lose his mast. We hung back through the night to make sure they were fine, but never laid eyes on the boat.

This year we heard them on the radio again and finally we met at Moorhead City. We had some great times togehter! Gene is going to leave his boat at a mooring in St. Augustine for a few months and hopefully return to see the Bahamas in April. We may see them again. I helped them get ashore with the dinghy so they could start their drive to home in Miss. Charles is on the left and Gene, brother and owner of Island Rose is on the left.