Thanks to the 5 or so boats that helped us

[KQ]

Myself- Kevin Quinn, Cogswell- Chris Conway...along with his friend Mike English were out on wed night on Chris's boat Tranquilizer. We ended up only catching a shark. I started to notice I was standing in puddles by the stern, but didnt think much of it. Soon after our engines wouldnt start. So we go to switch a battery with our hydraglow battery and the center console is full with water. And then we started to seriously take on water faster than it could bail it out. We think there may be some hose loose with the livewell that may have filled the bilge, but I'm no mechanic.

I just wanted to truly thank the boats that came over and saw our flare, because knowing we had people their waiting until the coast guard and tow boat US arrived made the situation a lot less scary. I wish I could name those boat, but I can't remember. I just think it's amazing how everyone is there to help eachother out there on the 50 line. Thanks again.

KQ

[reel life]

i am glad every thing worked out for you.

[LiquidAddiction]

One of the boats was me in the old "Vitamin Sea Too". The others were "Big Deal" and then I think "Making Time". That just shows just how valuable a flare is (although I think yours was a dud). With just enough power to transmit and unable to give any GPS cordinates, you would have been in serious trouble without the flare. We had just put a fish in the boat when we heard your transmission and when we saw your flare you were probably only 3/4 of a mile inshore and to the North of us so we reeled in the spread and headed your way. Glad we could help and most importantly glad everyone was OK. (Although the guy "chumming" on the bow didn't look as though he was feeling to good) Anyway, we ended up 1/1 with a 64 incher. Sounded pretty slow for everyone out there.

Chris

[RiskTaker]

KQ:

I am glad that you all made it back safely, without serious incident.

What a timely incident, only several weeks after another vessel had capsized, possibly stemming from a similar cause. Anytime you do not resolve a situation with self help, is a good time to pause and reflect, to learn something new and to do things a little better next time, if possible.

It was also very interesting subject matter at the Swordfish Club meeting, where the underlying theme was SAFETY at sea. From that meeting, the role of Wind-on leaders, as just one of those things that is a best practice to facilitate safety. Bobby was pretty enthusiastic about how serious, attention to these details must be. A good sense of safety is paramount, for it only takes one incident, gone wrong, to change everything.

I hope you can share the root cause of this situation when you understand what failure mechanism occurred here. We can all learn from your experience as a close knit group of offshore anglers.

Thanks to all the boats that came to assistance. If I was not watching the kids last night I may have been thanking you in person too.

KQ - Good thing you had twins. Better still, you had a working VHF, flares, fellow anglers nearby and Unlimited Sea Tow Coverage.

P.S. - This is not a lecture in any way, just a dialogue on how we can all keep our sense of awareness alert to do things in a safe way.

[quack quack]

I lost a boat I was running once no fun. I think a bad hose connection on a sea cock or the bait well was the cause. We made it back to the beach before she turned turtle in the surf.All aboard were able to get off and wade in with most of the equipment. Being 5 miles out he were able to make the beach. If we were on the 50 it would have been a wet story. I can not stress safety enough . Know your boat and every hole in it. Check those clamps,pumps,safety equipment all the time not just once in awhile! I think all boats that go outside any inlet should have an epirp! Not just if boat is in trouble but what about a medical emergency? If the boat owner needs help and the other people do not know how to use radio or other safety equipment this could be a problem. people will spend thousands on rods, reels, lights,line,etc. Why not spend a little on your life! If you have a friend with a boat chip in together for an epirp to cut the cost a little. Remember you are their to have fun and calling the coast guard or shooting flares is not fun. Thank you to all the boats that drop what you are doing to help other people it shows the quality of the people out on the 50. You should all be rewarded with tight lines and smiles on your faces. Sorry for the ramble but I have lost friends and loved ones over the years to the ocean. Down to the sea in ships :cry:

[Shark Tagger]

Glad to here all is ok. A good group of guys here

[KQ]

LiquidAddiction- Thanks a lot for coming to help and I'm glad you guys got a fish at least.

The real problem turned out to be a rag clogged up the bilge somehow, but before we knew it all of our exposed wires and batteries under the center console were under water.

Everybody needs an EPIRP. We just got one for our boat Final Point, but I didnt think to bring it last night. Everyone should also think about a sattelite phone being that our vhf was dying and could barely transmit.

Thanks again

[quack quack]

A good idea might be for people to carry a handheld vhf also.Just make sure it is charged :idea: :shock:

I always check the bilge visually a couple times a night. Do not just turn on the bilge pump and see if water comes out. The pump could be broke or clogged. Make it a habit every time you check your baits check the bilge. Once it becomes a habit, habits are hard to break :!:

[Uncle Buck]

We heard the broadcast, but didn't see any flares. When the GPS coordinates were sent to SeaTow, we figured to be several miles away. Out of range to lend assistance. Glad to hear it was a safe ending! Respect to those able to help. :thumright:

[Islander]

Glad things turned out the way they did for you and the crew all but the part about the modern day pirates speeing to rescue you..... or was it your wallet

Hat's off to the captian's and crew's that offerd or gave assistance =D> May good Karma find its way to the end of your lines :thumright:


If there is a possitive side of your unfortunate incident, it may be that you might be very well saveing others from the same fate or God forbid even worse. I have spent the better part of my life on the water in both professional and pleasure aspects of our beloved sport. Safety has always been my number one concern as it is also the owner of the boat that I now fish on. We have been gitting the boat ready for the up coming season, including updateing and going over the boats saftey gear.

I can assure you we will be revisting our safety procedures :!: :!: :!: it always seems to smallest of thing that provide the most disastrous of results

So I would like say Thank YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Agian glad everyone is safe.

[1Amigo]

I am just getting my act together to begin swordfishing - but when we ordered the boat we set it up with safety on island trips and sword trips in mind. A few things we had put on the boat, a Bluewater 2350:

- 2 2000 gph bilge pumps
- 3 AGM batteries with 3 switches so any battery can be used for any purpose - 2 batteries in the transom, 1 in the console
- 24 mile radar
- Digital vhf antenna and Icom 400 series vhf - and yes the antenna really makes a difference

For sword trips we have the same safety equipment as island trips:
- gps embedded EPIRB
- flares (yes get the good ones)
- portable submersable vhf
- ditch bag with floatation with all of the above in it
- wooden hull plugs of different sizes - these are key and need to be easily accessable
- pack of zip ties - quick fix for a failed hose clamp
- Winslow 6 person rescue raft (only 23 lbs.)
- spare (4th) battery to run the hydroglow off of.

The life raft is an investment - but imagine if you end up in the water 15 miles out in January, at 11PM, and you are not able to contact help before you end up swimming.... That water is colder than you think, and a person in a lifejacket, even with an epirb, is an awfully small target at night in a confused sea........

Doesn't make much sense to spend tens of thousands on a boat and not a couple grand on the things that might keep you alive if everything goes south.....

Tight lines...

[Sword Hunter]

ur welcome any time i hope people would do the same for me. I was the boat to the north that spoted the first flair and helped sort out the confusion on the radio. i am known as (sword hunter,boobie,seagul,or hunter) give me a shout on 72 always have a honest sword report