rescue

Tom and crew,

You guys really are heros! First, you went out of your way to help look for complete strangers when you knew the professional resources of the Coast Guard and local law and fire departments were active in the search. Many people wouldn't have gone to the lengths you went to assist a fellow boater. Second, you kept your cool and conducted yourselves in a professional manner under difficult circumstances. Not everyone is capable of keeping a level head and demonstrate that level of skill without training. Lastly you and your crew DID save those folks. You should be proud of your quick action. I know I am.

:thup

Don
 
Wow. You guys did great. Thanks for being there, thanks for helping those folks, and thanks for sharing it.
 
What impresses me is that you guys were the closest available resource, and did the job the SAR folks could not do because they were too far out.

Could not be a better illustration of how we need to stick together on the water.

I'm still curious: how did you get that 200 lb guy over the transom?
 
Hey, Tom

I'd like permission to print out your story and report it to our CG Aux Boating Skills & Seamanship class tomorrow night. It is such a great illustration of so many facits of safe boating I can't pass it up. And it's TRUE!

Bob Cat
 
All,

Shortly after the couple Tom rescued turtled their boat, there was another incident that Seattle coast guard was also dealing with involving a safety drill. In the other incident, a container ship was lowering a lifeboat down. The boat swung, hit the side of the ship and dumped the passengers into the water. One died in this incident. See this link for a short newspaper story on the two incidents. Since one died in the planned drill and none died in the unexpected rescue, it shows how lucky those two were to have Tom come along.
 
Here’s the rest of the story from the couple, tom and Karen Evans of everret. They came by my house last night to get their gear and wallet that was left on my boat. It took some time to track them down but I did not want them to lose their wallet or have to cancel all their cards. Well their story goes like this. Their boat, a 20 ft trophy out board with cuddy, was stolen 8 months ago. The boat was recovered two hours later with out engines, electronics or much else. Three river put a motor on in two days so they could make a family get together at some lake on the east side. The boat had not been used since. One of the items lost during the stripping of the boat was an inspection plate in the splash well that allows you to look at and service the bilge pump. The new one is in the garage. That was mistake number one. The new vhf is in the garage next to it. That’s two. So on Sunday while fishing the waves were getting into the splash well all morning and slowly filling the bilge with water. The non-auto bilge was not taking care of it and that’s three. I want to express my contempt for any builder that use’s a non-auto pump in a bilge, but this is a family show. Had it been an auto pump it could have easily kept up with the water and it would have served the added function of alerting tom that some thing was amidst. So by know the trophy was setting low in the water and tom stopped the boat to pick up his gear, that’s four. So now a big wave hits the trophy that fills the splash well and the cock pit. Karen dials 911 on her cell and get transferred two time and ends up with the fire department, that’s five in my opinion. 911 should send all water calls to the coast guard not the fire department. Tom realizes that he cannot bucket fast enough and the pump, now on, is not fast enough to keep up with the waves that are now crashing over the stern one after another. Tom goes below to find the flare kit and ends up dropping it in the water as the boat is starting to go over and cannot find it again so he grabs his vest and tries to put it on while going on deck, that’s six. Karen tells 911 that she is west of camino head just before the boat rolls over and she is throw out. Tom told her that they were west of camino head even though he knew they were not. He told me last night that he was thinking east and just kept saying west, that’s seven, and a big one. So tom is trying to put on his vest while the trophy is rolling over and only gets one arm in as he hits the water and something snags the vest. Now the vest is pulling him under the boat and he cannot get it undone. He decides that a vest that’s drowning you is not any good and leaves it. They climb on to the submerged railing at the bow and stand on it while Karen holds the bow tie down ring and tom hold on to her. Now they are in the water, cold, and have no link to the out side world. They can do nothing at this point but wait and hope. Staying with the boat is the one right thing they did right and the one thing that saved their lives. We would have never found them in the water. Even when the boat was spotted from shore and called in, the Evans would not have been close to it any more. During their wait, they drifted over two miles

Well that’s seven small mistakes that could have been avoided. I am sorry if I seem hard on the Evans but after hearing there story last night and sleeping on it and thinking about it all day I came to the conclusion that they were the only one responsible for what happen to them yesterday. I did not point this fact out to them last night but I am sure that I did not have too. What should they have done yesterday instead of the eight things they did wrong?

1. The inspection plate should have been put back on before the boat was used. I have a mental checklist that I go over every time. I am also good, or bad, at not getting projects done in time and going any way because, well I want to fish!!!


2. Never go out with just a cell phone. That radio should have been in or a hand held should have been on board. I will be looking in to a small waterproof hand held for my boat.


3. An auto bilge pump would have saved the day early on. One by keeping the water from building up in the bilge and there by alerting tom that there was a problem. I think that an auto bilge should be mandatory on all boats.


4. Never turn off your engine with a following sea and I never turn off my engine unless I am at the dock or anchored. You’re just giving your engine the chance to not start again. Why even take the chance, a running engine is a good engine.


5. 911 should relay all boating calls to the coast guard. They are better equipped to decide if they or the locals can handle it and they know the area better. There’s no telling if the fire guys knows jack about boats or the local waters. Chances are they will be handing you off to coast guard anyhow and now you have just wasted time.


6. Toms jacket should have been on long before now. If not when the weather came up then at least at the first sign of trouble. You are going to be working the problem right up until the last second before going over and then it to late to look for a vest. Wear it!!!


7. Know where you are. I quiz Susan and James both all the time about where we are when we are out boating. I read maps all the time and make sure that I know where north is all the time, on the water or not, its just a old and good habit of mine that I am trying to get James and Susan into. Try asking your kids to describe to you where they are the next time you are out. Then throw cold water at them while screaming in their ears and ask them again. Bets are that few of them or you can do it. I have a vhf with a DISTRESS button. I press and hold that puppy for five seconds and coast guard now knows 1. Where I am per GPS numbers 2. What make and model of boat I am in, also the color. 3. The number of people normally on board. And a signal goes out to every boat in the area with the same DISTRESS type radio.

This accident could have been avoided from the start and at the first three points. The Evans have no one but them selves to blame and hope they sit down and go over what happened and why and what could have, should have been done different. I have learned a lot from this and hope you all do to.

I would like to cover just one more thing. Channel 16. There where at least four other boats closer to the Evans then we where that could have and would have helped had they know what was happening. Susan was really giving me hell for always having the vhf on in the boat and I have really been nasty at times about leaving the vhf on and the volume at least up where I can hear it. The static really hurts her ears. I have friends that only listen to the local fishing channel. We should all monitor 16 at all times. My radio, and most others, will scan as many or all the channel I select. Remember that the next time you hear the coast guard asking for someone to check something out for them, that the time after that may be you that needs checking out.
 
Thanks for the update Tom. I agree with you on all the points. I also did a little Googling on hypothermia and it's treatment - re-learned some stuff from my old boy scout days. Here's a few interesting links for people to check out.

I found this one the most interesting and useful - http://hypothermia.org/inwater.htm - this talks about both what to do if you're in the water and how to handle a potential victim. Key things to recognize is that cooling can continue well after a person is out of the water and that any activity on there part can further endanger them by increasing circulation from cold extremities to the warmer core. Insulation is useful but active heating is better.

This link http://www.hypothermia-ca.com/res-q-air.htm has an interesting chart showing how the core temperature actually drops more significantly when external warming is applied. The effect (see the chart) is due to vasodilation of the blood vessels in the extremities that is increased by warming the extremities first. Anyway, it can't hurt for all of us to review the hypothermia information while we're all pondering if we would have done as good a job as Tom and feeling guilty for those few times that we didn't have channel 16 on or didn't monitor it as closely as we should have.
 
Tom, in your first post you mentioned that you only caught one fish later in the day. I would say that you and Sark caught the two most important fish in your lives when you guys pulled those two boaters out of the drink. All kidding aside, it sounds like you guys did a great job. :thup :thup

I have been in the fire service in one capacity or another for almost 25 years. One of my goals with personal abilities, training and equipment has always been to put myself and my crew in a position to make a difference that no one else is able or wants to make within a time frame that positively alters an outcome. You guys did that yesterday.

I too have had the static from the spousal equivalent and others about radio noise. I still listen to the radio as I always have. You will not know about the call if you are not listening.

To you guys I say keep on keeping on. :beer I am proud to be able to acknowledge your efforts. You guys are :smiled
 
Proud of you and your parteners, well done . AMEN for those new VHF all new radio are or will be equiped with this new DSC (distress signal call). That is one of the reasons I never bought my $550. islander reel , I spent my money on safaty, a $700. VHF , with cockpit mike and radio all attached together. Took the course for VHF radio with CG,to get my number and card reistration. Worth every penny spent on that course. My VHF is hooked up to my radar, and my GPS chartplotter.Like you said, The Coast Guard will know who you are by pushing the distress button within 5 seconds.You have to register with them after your have taken your course in Ca. any way. What is really nice about the system is all boats equiped with the same system will sound a loud noise in the speaker after it is been activated, and also if your GPS is compatable with the radio it will flash the location on your radar screen and chart plotter. Makes the rescue a lot easier for any boats close by .



GARY SEARAM
 
Good info gary, I forgot that it will give the position right on your chartplotter screen. That would have saved us 30 mins of looking around and call the coasties. We almost went back to fishing with out calling the coasties first. i just got a bad feeling about not checking in first with them.
 
Tom,

Your analysis of this screw-up is well done.

For those of us who don't have a new DSC VHF radio with the distress push button, we should all remember that channel 16 is the DISTRESS and calling frequency. With the emphasis on DISTRESS!

I am sure that many people turn down the volume or turn off channel 16 due to the endless calling and chatter on that channel.

Lets all try to use proper radio procedure, keeping our calls short, and making arrangements with our cruising buddies in advance to limit unnecessary calling.

Many times I have heard a group of boats repeatedly calling each other to comment on the whales, birds, where to eat lunch, etc.

If you are in cell phone range, call your friends on the phone to discuss non critical information.

Boaters listening to channel 16 and ready to help each other are very important for all of our safety on the water.

One last thing...The new DSC VHF radios use channel 70 (in US mode) to do their automated calling. DON'T USE CHANNEL 70 FOR VOICE COMMUNICATIONS.

Be safe out there!!!
 
Hi Tom & Sark,

Great job to you both for really helping out fellow boaters/strangers in desperate need!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You two set a great example for other boaters by going the extra mile that meant the difference for Tom and Karen!

We wish you safe and happy boating along with many fish!!!!

Way to go Tom and Sark!!!!

John & Amy Frazey
 
Tom,

We'll see you in 5 days...we just signed up for the Poulsbo gathering!

I can then give you real good handshake congratulations and thanks for taking the time to help 2 people that really needed it!!!!!! I can't say enough about that!

Still in amazement.

Look forward to the visit with you and all.

John
 
DSC, while a valuable feature, is NOT active currently in Oregon and I doubt in Washington. Check with the Coast Guard to be certain but I know in the areas I frequent they are not equiped to receive this information. A personal Locator Beacon or EPIRB would have been far more valuable than the price paid at the time.
Also of interest is that there seems to have been a concurent SAR call at the same time.
It was a point well taken about staying with the boat.
I agree about monitoring 16. It is not an option on my boat either, in fact I bought a new radio so I will have one in the cockpit as well as the helm now.

I am glad this turned out the way it did. Again, good on you Tom.

DodgeRam":3dhnh0pb said:
Proud of you and your parteners, well done . AMEN for those new VHF all new radio are or will be equiped with this new DSC (distress signal call). That is one of the reasons I never bought my $550. islander reel , I spent my money on safaty, a $700. VHF , with cockpit mike and radio all attached together. Took the course for VHF radio with CG,to get my number and card reistration. Worth every penny spent on that course. My VHF is hooked up to my radar, and my GPS chartplotter.Like you said, The Coast Guard will know who you are by pushing the distress button within 5 seconds.You have to register with them after your have taken your course in Ca. any way. What is really nice about the system is all boats equiped with the same system will sound a loud noise in the speaker after it is been activated, and also if your GPS is compatable with the radio it will flash the location on your radar screen and chart plotter. Makes the rescue a lot easier for any boats close by .



GARY SEARAM
Click to expand...
 
Mr. Fisherman,
I think you are right about DSC not being fully monitored by the Coast Guard, and I am not exactly sure when they will start full time, but it is coming up. But more importantly any vessel equipped with DSC in the area would have gotten the coordinates. In our case Tom's is setup, so it would have gave an alert and if hooked up to the chartplotter you can hit go to, or manually find the coordinates. So it is still invaluable at our present time, especially since most radios bought in the last couple years will have this feature, you might not get the coast guard, but other boats that are equiped will hear that DSC call and may be closer anyway. I say stack all the cards in your favor, and I wouldn't be without a DSC radio especially after this weekend. It's just like Tom said, we wasted alot of time looking for that couple where they were not, because they did not know exactly where they were, when they made the call. If I was thrown from the boat or hurt I would like to know my son can just punch a button and there would be a chance some people would know eactly where he was. It just makes sense. Besides that, you can find your buddies and tune their radio to a channel of your selection if you have them in your directory and both parties are setup. Cool stuff!!!
I know someone asked how we got them in the boat. Tom backed down on them, and we grabbed them by whatever we could and pulled them over the swimstep and the transom into the cockpit, and yes they were heavy. But we probably had a little adrenalin (sp?) pumping, and we did it. After they were on the ambulance, I was picking up their clothes and was surprised at how much it all weighed, soaked as it was. I think this brings up another point, get a swimstep I think it made it easier to get them in, and if you fall in and can make it back to the boat it will be much easier to get back in with one.





Edited AHere is what the captain of the boat that went down had to say

IDIOT OR NOT, I'M THE ONE IN THE WATER. ALL THE MISTAKES WERE MINE AND NO ONE ELSE. I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY ACTIONS ON SUNDAY. BUT TOM AND CREW ARE HEROS. I WOULD NOT BE HERE TO READ THE RESPONSES OF ALL (SOMETIMES HARSH), IF NOT FOR THEM. I MADE A LOT OF ERRORS THAT DAY, AND PUT ALL TOGETHER, THEY ADDED UP TO A DISASTER, HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR TOM, STARK & JOHN, YOU WOULD NOT BE HEARING FROM ME NOW. I LEARNED A LOT FROM MY EXPERIENCE, AND LEARNED MORE FROM TALKING WITH TOM AFTERWARDS. YES I AM A NOVICE AND HAVE NOT HAD ANYONE TO TEACH ME THE ROPES AS IT WERE. BUT I AM LEARNING ALL THE TIME I'M OUT. SUNDAY WAS A VERY VALUABLE DAY( THAT THAT DOESN'T KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER, AND WISER I HOPE). SOMETIMES THERE ARE THINGS THAT YOU THINK ARE TOO PRICEY, BUT WHEN IT COMES RIGHT DOWN TO IT, HOW MUCH DO YOU VALUE YOURSELF, YOUR FAMILY. THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT THE NEXT TIME I GO OUT, YOU CAN COUNT ON THAT. MANY THINGS THAT TOM TALKED TO ME ABOUT SUNDAY EVENING, SOME OF WHICH I HAD CONSIDERED, BUT THOUGHT I COULDN'T AFFORD, SOME THINGS I HADN'T CONSIDERED AT ALL, BUT ALL MADE SENSE TO ME NOW.
WE RETRIEVED THE BOAT TODAY AND IS IN THE SHOP TO SEE WHAT ALL NEEDS TO BE DONE. IT MAY BE AWHILE BEFORE I'M ABLE TO GET BACK ON THE WATER, BUT WILL HAVE TIME TO THINK OF ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED. THE GLORIOUS PART IS THAT I HAVE THAT TIME TO DO JUST THAT. THERE WERE 3 SEPERATE TIMES THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS OVER, NO PANIC NO SORROW, OTHER THAN LOOSING MY PARTNER, MY WIFE, MY BEST FRIEND, KAREN. GOOD THINGS CAN COME FROM NEAR DISASTERS, AND KNOWING DEEP DOWN MY FEELINGS FOR MY WIFE, IT'S HARD TO DESCRIBE, BUT KNOWING THAT ITS ABOUT TO END PUTS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT SPIN ON WHO YOU ARE, AS OPPOSSED TO WHO YOU THINK YOU ARE. AT THAT MOMENT, YOU KNOW.
SO I SAY, LISTEN UP, MAKE THOSE CHANGES IN YOUR LIFE, GET THAT GEAR YOU NEED, LISTEN TO YOUR RADIO(VHF), TELL YOUR PARTNER YOU LOVE THEM(AND REALLY MEAN IT, NOT JUST MOUTHING THE WORDS, CALL YOUR CHILDREN AND TELL THEM TOO.). READ WHAT TOM WROTE, GOOD WORDS OF WISDOM IN MY MIND. AND FINALLY, BE PREPARRED. HAVE A PLAN, JUST IN CASE.

WITH THAT, SEE YA..............PT

Sark or should I say Stark :lol:
 
North Island , where I fish by Port Hardy in the Qween Charlotte area,last august 2005 sitting and talking to Ca Coast Guards, they told me that they already had three DSC call to respond too? They also told me if my radio was on where we where sitting in the marina, that if the DSC would to be activated by anyone that you would hear the Buzz distress call ! My understanding is that we have the system up and running and adding new location all the time ! .When up and running every where, here any way, channel 16 in the future will no longer be needed , this way it will keep all garbage talk from old lady talking on the radio using channel 16 to ask there buds how is the fishing, and what the had for dinner last night? That is why you have to get a card with a # registered with the Coast Guards , that system will let call any body that has the same system almost like a radio phone , you will be able to dial the # of the caller you want too reach .
 
All I can say is WOW, GREAT JOB. You three definitely saved these peoples lives.

This is certainly a story that I won't forget! And is also a great reminder of how unforgiving the sea truly is!
 
starcrafttom":1sx7cu2p said:
5. 911 should relay all boating calls to the coast guard. They are better equipped to decide if they or the locals can handle it and they know the area better. There’s no telling if the fire guys knows jack about boats or the local waters. Chances are they will be handing you off to coast guard anyhow and now you have just wasted time.
Click to expand...

Hi Tom,
Again, congratulations to you and your crew on a fine rescue that certainly saved lives!
After reading the above, I felt compelled to do some research on this rescue call as I personally and professionally know and have trained in various facets of fire service, emergency medical and technical rescue with some of the individuals involved in this incident.
The call to 911 was received by the dispatch center at 0829 HRS, they obviously notified the Coast Guard immediately, because at 0834 HRS the Coast Guard responded back to the dispatch center that a "Helo" was responding from Port Angeles. (Coast Guard also had a 41' Utility Boat and a 25' Response Boat responding from Seattle). Additionally, at least two fire department vessels were being launched from various locations. Camano Island Fire Department launched their rescue vessel on the West side of Camano as that is where the location was first reported. Whidbey Island F. D. was launching a rescue vessel as well. (These folks "know these waters" well as they train in them frequently and have been involved in previous rescues there).
The report of the correct Lat/Long location came from the Ass't Chief that you spoke with on the radio, when they saw the overturned vessel from the shore. (Incidently, the Ass't Chief was very pleased that you arrived on the scene to execute the rescue). Apparently, a third F.D. vessel was launched at some time from the Warm Beach F.D.
The Camano Island F.D. have several personnel who have taken the "Coast Guard Non-Standard Boat Operations Course", which apparently involves operation of utility vessels (ie: Safe Boats etc....those of you Coast Guard Auxillarists or active C.G. members on our site would most likely be familiar with this course). Additionally, several of the C.I.F.D. personnel have certifications in the NFPA 1006 (National Fire Protection Association) standard. "Surface Water Rescue Guidelines".
The standard response for any rescue of this type is to dispatch as varied and as much assistance as available, which obviously includes the attentive civilian boating population that monitor CH 16 (in spite of the complaints of some of our spouses that are in the close proximity of the helm with us :wink ).
Again, Tom you guys "done good" and I for one am glad to have you "out on the seas" with me anyday! :thup
 
Multi-agency response (ie: Coast Guard, Sheriff, Fire Depts) is "commonplace" in the Puget Sound/San Juan Island areas. Last summer while in the San Juans we heard on CH 16 of a "medical emergency" on board a sailboat, so we altered course towards the vessel, however the Sheriff's vessel out of Friday Harbor, with Fire Department paramedics on board arrived on scene before we even "caught sight" of the sailboat. (At that time there were several Coast Guard vessels in the area including one of the large C.G. Cutters also responding).
( Heck, you folks in Southern California probably even have the Gals from Babe.. :roll: ..'er Bay Watch responding to your emergencies).
 
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