U.S.C.G. AUX Help wanted.

[Dr W]

U.S.C.G. AUX Help wanted.

Here is the story  Fishing buddies !  The Coast Guard Aux. is way down on members and that is not good!  WE NEED YOU!  I was in the Auxiliary from 1988 until 2000 and then sold my boat and stood down !  Well last year I bought another boat and returned to Ontario and on the first trip out my helm locked up and I had no steering ! I called for help and no one was there [on a Wednesday] the Charter boats ignored my call as well. The Oswego station answered and sent a paid towboat to help me and yep it costs a bunch! Well I am once again in the Auxiliary and will be helping the  4-4 that works out of Sodus point.

 

The Coast Guard Auxiliary could sure use some new members !  You can get info on line.  Come on guys and Gals you love the lake and being on the water give us a hand!

 

 

Dr W

[Bozeman Bob]

Sorry to hear you broke down. Not everyone has the time or will to volunteer . My boat insurance has Seatow,etc. maybe look into that.  Since no private boats came to your rescue why did you single out WORKING charter boats?  We're you in danger of sinking, was night setting in ? Thunderstorms rolling in ? If any of the above I think a charter boat would tell there clients gotta go save this guy and I will refund some of your money. I would also say a majority of fishermen have a kicker or twin engines so there not dependant on someone else rescuing them if something goes wrong. Cost of a used kicker is probably less than the cost of one tow,not to.mention peace of mind when heading out on a big ass lake. I guess I just didn't like the way you singled out Charter guys ,especially since you once served and should know a back up is cheap insurance in more ways than one on Ontario. And no I am not a Charter Captain. 

 

[Bozeman Bob]

A basic set of hand tools on board goes a long way as well. Every steering system can be disconnected at the Rudder-Outdrive or Outboard motor and then steered by hand at a slow speed. Where there's a will there's a way ,if somewhat prepared.

 

[Mrbreeze1]

On 2/4/2017 at 11:14 PM, Bozeman Bob said:

A basic set of hand tools on board goes a long way as well. Every steering system can be disconnected at the Rudder-Outdrive or Outboard motor and then steered by hand at a slow speed. Where there's a will there's a way ,if somewhat prepared.

 

 

 

I never reply much on this site like to just read. But reading your post I have a few things to say. First I have been fishing the lake since 1976 I also have been a charter capt. for awhile now. I have towed a number of people in from motors that died to boats taking on water. If I am on a trip and someone needs help I will break down to help. My clients will get extra time on the water because of it. One day you may need to be towed in quick and sea tow might to far out. My point is this we are all sportsmen and should lend a hand if we can. 

[Bozeman Bob]

^ While I agree with you to a degree, there was no immediate danger in his case, he was not taking on water.. I am sure  he could of waited until 3 pm or so when most charters are done.There are paid professionals in the area that handle these incidents and if no one uses them they go away. Sea Tow was founded because the USCG has better things to do than tow people back to port ,but if was a emergency situation they would of stepped in and handled it. Unfortunately in this day and age there is the legal [suing] ramifications added to this topic. The boat your towing cleat pulls out and slingshots back to your boat and hits either the person your towing or a person that went out with you, seriously injuring them. on your boat or vise versa, hitting the guy in the boat being towed. Who is paying for that impending lawsuit. The towed boat ,sinks, hits a log, reef, flips over etc. Now the guy decides it was your fault and you have to PAY for a lawyer to defend any of this. I know I am sounding like a hard ass but this stuff happens all the time. If the OP had kept the point that he had to pay for a tow out of it he might of gotten a better response in his request for volunteers. Which no one has done so far. I wish him luck in that endeavor.

Edited February 5, 2017 by Bozeman Bob

[jimski2]

The free ride from the government is coming to an end every where. Thank you for Sea Tow being available. The anxiety your family would endure is precious. You still have your boat and also the approval to continue.

[Dr W]

On 2/4/2017 at 10:56 PM, Bozeman Bob said:

Sorry to hear you broke down. Not everyone has the time or will to volunteer . My boat insurance has Seatow,etc. maybe look into that.  Since no private boats came to your rescue why did you single out WORKING charter boats?  We're you in danger of sinking, was night setting in ? Thunderstorms rolling in ? If any of the above I think a charter boat would tell there clients gotta go save this guy and I will refund some of your money. I would also say a majority of fishermen have a kicker or twin engines so there not dependant on someone else rescuing them if something goes wrong. Cost of a used kicker is probably less than the cost of one tow,not to.mention peace of mind when heading out on a big ass lake. I guess I just didn't like the way you singled out Charter guys ,especially since you once served and should know a back up is cheap insurance in more ways than one on Ontario. And no I am not a Charter Captain. 

 

You missed my point !

No one even answered the radio call except Oswego station!

I towed many boats in who had trouble when I was in the Auxiliary, and was happy to do it. This post is about drumming  up some interest in the Aux.  This was a "NEW" older boat to me and was not fully equipped on that first trip, Today it is.  

 

The rest of the story ?  The motor was working and I did navigate almost to the light at Sodus point but with out steerage I did not trust being able to navigate the channel AlI wanted was some one to escort through that channel.

 

This was about seeking new members

 

[MooseKnuckle VI]

Pretty sad group of replies here.......Hope none of you guys ever need help. I'm in the process of joining the AUX. I also run with my local volunteer FD at home. Won't kill you guys to help out a bit. Glad I don't live in NY

[Bozeman Bob]

Sorry but many of us have one or two days a week to fish and if it wasn't for that we probably wouldn't even be on the lake. They have private towing service on most of the southern shore. Now the OP says he was basically in the Harbor and was calling for help after motoring to that point and he expected people to drop what they were doing and escort him another 100 yards into the harbor. Like I said if it was a actual emergency I know the response would of been different. Were ok that you don't live in NY.

[MooseKnuckle VI]

So just because you only have 1 or 2 days a week to fish means you shouldn't help somebody out for a half hour? I have less time than that but if somebody broke down nearby I'd stop fishing to at least do what I could for the guy. You guys act like fishing is the most important thing in the world. You can have your opinion and I'll keep mine. Only difference is people like me will actually show up to lend a hand instead of badmouthing him on the interwebz or the radio. What's your boats name btw?

 

This board has really gone downhill in the last couple years as has the ethics of the "sportsman" on the lake. Every man for himself I suppose.

[Dr W]

Bob You still have not figured out what my points are!

First point not a single vessel answered my radio call! 

It was not a MAY DAY call just an all stations request .

 

Point #2 The Coast Guard Auxiliary is in need on new members and back when I Was active no radio call went unanswered! 

 

I now am active again because of this incident !  So the next boat that calls

[IF I AM IN THE AREA] will not go unanswered!

 

Unless it is Bob , in that case I will send the towboat US out !  [LOL]  Not

 

 

Edited February 7, 2017 by Dr W

[Xxx]

2 years ago I blew a lower unit, while having a kicker I managed to get to where I could see land and what looked like a dock, as we got closer at a mere 3.5 mph I saw a guy jump off his lawn mower and wave us over. From there he took us back to our campsite where I grabbed my truck and trailer and headed back to his house, we got the boat out but I'm sure glad he insisted to hook onto my trailer and pull us out, I mean this went up hard. Then he dropped my trailer and I hooked to it. He wouln't take no money, as a few years ago he broke down and 2 guys from Pa. Towed him over a hour&half to his dock, and if he could ever return the favor he would. Just so happened we were the first and from Pa. that he could return the favor. I have dropped from fishing to tow a few boats already, not only on LakeO but in Canada and in Pa. I'm truely floored by the selfishness said on here!! I guess the hell with you attitude and hurray for me attitude even applies to helping out a stranded fisherman also. My god what's this world come to?? 

[markdaniel]

Last summer we broke down in Sandy Pond.  Two wonderful gentlemen noticed we were struggling and towed us to Brennan's Bay Marina.  They were headed out walleye fishing in the Pond and delayed their fishing trip to help us.  I offered to pay them but they refused.  There are good people out there.  I wish I knew who they were so I could buy them lunch.

[Silver Fox]

I've towed many guys in and have been towed in myself. Now isn't it possible that nobody heard the radio call? Bycrackie the freaking radio could of been on another channel or not on at all right? Your insinuating that everyone heard the call. You probably should have just made a post about needing help with the auxiliary instead of bashing guys that may have not heard a thing.
Always two sides to every story.

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[whaler1]

If not fishing out of your home port, make sure you know what channel the locals listen to.  I have towed numerous boats in, including ones owned by democrats and non Patriots fans.

Edited February 7, 2017 by whaler1

[Dr W]

51 minutes ago, Silver Fox said:

I've towed many guys in and have been towed in myself. Now isn't it possible that nobody heard the radio call? Bycrackie the freaking radio could of been on another channel or not on at all right? Your insinuating that everyone heard the call. You probably should have just made a post about needing help with the auxiliary instead of bashing guys that may have not heard a thing.
Always two sides to every story.

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   You could be correct considering that fewer folks use VHF any more ..

I was on 16 and 9 and even tried 68 just in case?  There was not much radio traffic that Wednesday >

 

[Dr W]

I found it hard to believe that no one heard my radio broadcast ?

on high [25watts] and heard by Oswego station about 30 miles away

 

I called on 16 and 9 and having run out of Sodus for years in the past

I knew that many used 68 back in the day.

No sour grapes here just shocked

 

I am trying to get folks to consider joining the Auxiliary, and Flotilla 4-4 at Sodus point  could use the help.

[Silver Fox]

That explains it. I don't know anyone that monitors 16 or 9 and maybe nobody uses 68 at Sodus? At sandy we use 72. Coast guard monitors 16 and that's why they heard you. I just wouldn't of passed blame on any captains in the area. Isn't their a coast guard station in Sodus? Heck they could of thrown u a line from the pier.

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[Hillbillyx-press]

Wow!, glad I fish out of Oak Orchard. Always help there.

The Dept. sheriff. Said if we need help call 911 and they 

will be there.

                           

[Bozeman Bob]

I have towed 15-20 boats in my lifetime back to port, including Canadian waters to the US side. Maximum distance was about 8 miles from Point Abino to the Buffalo Harbor, so I know all about towing and am not worried about Karma because I have paid forward and have been lucky and smart enough not to need a tow myself. When you have Sea Tow available in your area I would suggest getting insurance or run with two motors. The more that comes to light the more I see why the Doc was not towed to port in a "timely" fashion. I also believe that any boat out there that heard a real distress call  would stop what there doing and help ,including me.. This was not the case and as I expected I am taking some heat for my replies. Again I wish him luck in finding volunteers.

[Silver Fox]

Just paid my tow boat USA bill. $72 including trailering. I love it.

 

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[lost a lure]

4 hours ago, Silver Fox said:

That explains it. I don't know anyone that monitors 16 or 9 and maybe nobody uses 68 at Sodus? At sandy we use 72. Coast guard monitors 16 and that's why they heard you. I just wouldn't of passed blame on any captains in the area. Isn't their a coast guard station in Sodus? Heck they could of thrown u a line from the pier.

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In general, any vessel equipped with a VHF marine radiotelephone (whether voluntarily or required to) must maintain a watch on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) whenever the radiotelephone is not being used to communicate.

Source: FCC 47 CFR §§ 80.148, 80.310, NTIA Manual 8.2.29.6.c(2)(e), ITU RR 31.17, 33.18, AP13 §25.2

[Silver Fox]

Well I'm guilty and so are 95℅ of the other guys. Lol

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[TileMan Dan]

I'm guilty as well and are aware that radio should be on 16 for most part. Have considered putting a second radio on board for this very reason. Are licensed charters required to have 2 radios?


Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

[Xxx]

I'm nosy LOL I have my radio on scan at all times unless I drop to lower channel for info, but that's gone to the wayside since cell phones