Crash & rescue, rescue & rescue
15 January 2011
A business day today in Bahia San Carlos. We finally got off the boat this morning before the winds picked up (high teens to high 20s) and picked up something things at the store. Talked to a few boaters who were over here from Guaymas.
We then took a quick beach stop across the bay. Checked out lots of shells, the scenery, spiny sea urchins, cool looking star fish and some sea slugs! The winds were blowing pretty good by the time we got back to the boat.
Not much longer after that, we heard a hail from 'Elan' a catamaran near us. They've been hit by a boat and are hailing for help! What the hell! Looks like a trimaran broke loose from its mooring and was resting broadside on the bow of Elan. A couple other dinghies came to help them and they got it off their bow and it started floating, of course, toward the Nordhaven 'Island Grace'. Well the rescue crew worked tirelessly as the trimaran did come up broadside onto the power boat and the swung it off and kept it off its side. They were able to get it anchored before it hit more boats or land. Whew!
At the same time, we hear a vessel needs assistance hail from 'Yolo", a Catalina 38 near Martini Cove. It's lost its engine, lost its dinghy & outboard (they were towing) and only had a staysail. Of course the winds are picking up. With lots of communication back and forth, they finally got help from Sharky Tow and were towed into the fuel dock.
Now don't think this was the end of the excitement! At the same time Yolo was sailing back and forth waiting for help, another boater called in a distress call for a 20' powerboat that seemed to be going in reverse near the entrance to the bay. The small powerboat did come into the channel of the bay in reverse and waited while another tow came to get them as Yolo was being towed in. Wow what a day at sea!
Love our anchor! We haven't moved in a week of afternoon NW blows. Thank you very much Delta!