On Sat, 04 Aug 2007 23:03:32 -0000, Skip Gundlach
wrote:


So, we held on by our fingernails and made it outside the jetties.
Meanwhile, we had a container ship bearing down on us. They'd seen
our
erratic behavior and wanted to make sure we saw them. We advised them
that
we'd had a bit of a steering issue but would be sure to be out of
their way.

After a failed attempt to go upwind, we managed to get out of the
channel to
the downwind side and advised the container ship that we were no
longer a
threat. Using the throttle and the locked-to-starboard rudder to
keep us
pointed relatively into the wind and waves, we called TowBoatUS, where
I
have an unlimited towing policy.

They showed up in due course, and, the various excitements of being
under
tow in a shipping lane,

in a situation like this, do not hesitate to call the USCG. they will
respond immediately...being in a shipping lane, or in danger of going
aground with a steering casualty is a distress situation. just
practice good risk assessment and call for help when you need it.