Offshoreman
Recognized Leader Triumph 235 Forum
- City
- North Coast
- State
- CA
Recently went out to sea on my neighbors boat. A nice dual console with lights, mfd's with chart, etc. It was 3 am, we were headed out early to be on the bite before daylight.
He was driving, I was just casually watching. Channel marker lights were flashing, no other vessels in sight.
I was just looking around and thought for a moment, "the channel marker lights were not in the correct place". No, WE were not in the correct position.
I had just looked over at the mfd when very suddenly and very violently we ran hard aground. 20 mph to a complete stop. The boat had run up onto the jetty rocks at about 20 degrees or so. The boat immediately rolled to starboard then gradually slid backwards into the water.
We settled into the water in silence. We were upright. The engine was stopped.
My driver had broken ribs from the impact. I had pain and lightening bolts up and down my spine (I had a spinal cord injury in 2018).
I made a quick search for water intrusion, opening every hatch, looking at the dash lights for pumps running or high-water alarms lights.
Amazingly, there was only minor hull damage. Even the props and lower units were undamaged. Most likely from hitting at an angle rather than head-on.
I kick myself for not paying better attention. I am far more experienced than him, though he does a good job of boat handling and navigating. I have navigated that channel hundreds of times in all conditions, day and night. I feel like I should have seen what was coming.
I was not wearing my pfd, but I had it in my hand. Not the best choice.
We had a close call. And I had uncharacteristically let my guard down.
Stay vigilant. Be a look out. And be a voice when things don't seem right.
Martin
He was driving, I was just casually watching. Channel marker lights were flashing, no other vessels in sight.
I was just looking around and thought for a moment, "the channel marker lights were not in the correct place". No, WE were not in the correct position.
I had just looked over at the mfd when very suddenly and very violently we ran hard aground. 20 mph to a complete stop. The boat had run up onto the jetty rocks at about 20 degrees or so. The boat immediately rolled to starboard then gradually slid backwards into the water.
We settled into the water in silence. We were upright. The engine was stopped.
My driver had broken ribs from the impact. I had pain and lightening bolts up and down my spine (I had a spinal cord injury in 2018).
I made a quick search for water intrusion, opening every hatch, looking at the dash lights for pumps running or high-water alarms lights.
Amazingly, there was only minor hull damage. Even the props and lower units were undamaged. Most likely from hitting at an angle rather than head-on.
I kick myself for not paying better attention. I am far more experienced than him, though he does a good job of boat handling and navigating. I have navigated that channel hundreds of times in all conditions, day and night. I feel like I should have seen what was coming.
I was not wearing my pfd, but I had it in my hand. Not the best choice.
We had a close call. And I had uncharacteristically let my guard down.
Stay vigilant. Be a look out. And be a voice when things don't seem right.
Martin
