Responded to MAY DAY call today....

M

matt_unique

New member
We had flat calm seas, dead calm wind, and perfect sunny skies this morning in Boston. I was heading out to dive when the following came over Ch. 16: "MAY DAY, MAY DAY, MAY DAY, PASSENGER SHIP MASSACHUSETTS HAS RUN AGROUND AND TAKING ON WATER - REQUEST ASSISTANCE".

Hi yi yi....I had *just* passed the location of this hail 10 minutes prior. I notified sector Boston I was 10 minutes away and punched Napoleon up to WOT. Arrived to find about 15 other vessels including some large lobster boats had also responded. The whale watch ship Massachusetts had 174 souls aboard, ran aground at an estimated 18 knots, and was taking on water. The early reports say they expect it to sink and will be a total loss. We'll see what the investigation reveals. The bow was down noticeably when I arrived and the stern was up. Here is a link to the story:

http://www.necn.com/07/03/10/The-Massac ... eedID=4206

The shoal is well marked on nautical charts. I stayed onsite for about 30 minutes until it was clear they would all be picked up by another large passenger boat as well as some large lobster boats. I had some friends aboard and I had them gather all the life preservers in case we arrived to find people in the water. The water temp was low 60's on the surface today.

Wild....will have some pictures to post in my album when my friend sends them along.
 
I heard a MAYDAY this morning near Orcas Island. 47' Bayliner taking on water in bilge. CG quickly reclassed it a Pan Pan Since fishing is slow, I am now at Deer Harbor waiting for tonights fireworks
 
I saw it first here! What a shock, since it is my brother in law who is the person in charge of that vessel Massachusetts. I was nowhere able to find who was skipper today, hopefully not him, and not real likely as I don't believe he works Saturday.

That boat has had a bunch of bad news. A collision, and then an engine fire, and then this. My b-i-l was not aboard for the collison, but was for the fire, but not held responsible. Even if he was not aboard today, he's going to be without a boat. More when I get some details.

Has anyone found out who was skipper?

Dave
 
I'm in Westport and Coast Guard Astoria was calling on the radio for people to be on the lookout for a person in the water off Rock-a-way Beach with blue swim trunks and no life jacket. Hope he made it.
 
Matt, saw that story in the Wash Post this morning and hoped it was not you driving.... :shock: Was pretty sure you would not make that mistake, glad you were there to help! Good job!! :thup

Happy 4th!

Charlie
 
We all make mistakes but I would NOT want to be that Captain right now....

I added a picture we took when we arrivedhere.

It was good to see others had responded as well. If it were far from the Coast Guard or other passenger ships all the small vessels would have had to pull alongside and take as many as they could.

Let's hope for a less dramatic day today! I will have 7 aboard Napoleon for the Boston Pops and the fireworks near the Hat Shell.

I hope everyone has a safe holiday.
 
Plan C":1kjzz2if said:
I saw it first here! What a shock, since it is my brother in law who is the person in charge of that vessel Massachusetts. I was nowhere able to find who was skipper today, hopefully not him, and not real likely as I don't believe he works Saturday.

That boat has had a bunch of bad news. A collision, and then an engine fire, and then this. My b-i-l was not aboard for the collison, but was for the fire, but not held responsible. Even if he was not aboard today, he's going to be without a boat. More when I get some details.

Has anyone found out who was skipper?

Dave
Click to expand...

Wow!
I have not yet heard the name of the Skipper. This vessel has had a bad history over the last few years. I think they mention it in the article I posted above but maybe not. Last year it collided with the Laura in fog. Then of course the engine fire before that.
 
We spoke with my sister this morning. We were happy to hear that her husband was home yesterday. Might have been better if he had been aboard, as he would not have gone on the wrong side of the buoy, which is apparently what happened. The captain aboard (they have two aboard who have masters licenses) was a young guy who got his license three years ago. From what we learned, the damage was to the bow void and the central void where fuel tanks are, and that the engine room was not flooded. Probably the Massachusets will sail again!

Dave
 
Further update. My sister said the boat struck bottom, or rock, with its keel, which is bent. Gashes in the aluminum bottom both sides of keel. The keel forced backwards and penetrated the middle void, which then released 1400 gallons of fuel into the engine room. And one engine shaft trashed.

Dave
 
I had the oppertunity to render aid to two young people in Kayak's yesterday here on the St. John's.

Judy and I were in the small john boat fishin' for Bluegill when the two young people, a boy and his girlfriend paddled by us. We waved and said hi to them and they in return were very polite....and only a few minutes later we heard a female scream and I pulled anchor without hasitation and fired up the 25 horse and did a 180 and head in the direction they had last been seen heading.

We found the young lady had capsized and was holding on to her boyfriends boad but was unable to get into it or to right her boat. So we pulled along side and provided leverage for the young man to pull her in his lap and then we were able to right her boat.

It seems she has a fear of spiders and one ran up her leg in the boat and she chose to abondon ship rather then stay in a boat full of spiders. We encouraged her to return to her boat, and asured her the spider was treading water somewhere else by now and that the Gators might not be upset to see her in the water longer. She decided to get back in the boat and paddle home.

They were visiting grandparents in our park , so I am sure we have some new friends because we were able to assist their kids.

I does feel good to be in the position to render aid when it is needed.
 
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