Welcome to sailing, Scout.

I think I'd be correct in saying that we've all (except for
bobspit who really doesn't sail) been in this same
situation, a time or 2.

My advice?...carry a gun, a BIG gun.

Scotty


"Scout" wrote in message
news
Jon and Joe - I want to thank you and others here for
giving me some
constructive criticism and sound advice for dealing with
this event.

I posted my original message without much introduction,
which may have been
a mistake. I had hoped to get some honest feedback without
having to type a
long narrative, so I copied and pasted the letter that I
sent to the
captains of the boat in question. I probably should have
edited it and sent
it in a discussion format for Dave's sake. Had I done so,
perhaps I would
not have given him what he apparently feels is
justification to lash out
with suspicion, ignorance, and insults. I'm not one to
make up a story just
to stir trouble; the captain of that ship endangered my
crew and greatly
alarmed us; I felt that no undue hardship would be caused
him by the group's
discussion of the rights and responsibilities of large,
fast moving boats in
narrow channels. Perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned the
name of the boat,
but at the time I wrote that piece I didn't exactly feel
that I owed them
any courtesies.

In addition to that, I am writing in on the heels of Doug,
who recently
stated that New Jersey boaters appear to be the most
obnoxious of all. I
felt I could offer both an anecdotal passage in support of
his observations,
and a request for advice - all with one easy post.

I have not heard back from the company and I don't expect
that I will unless
I push this further. I have written a formal letter of
complaint and sent it
via USPS to the USCG because I was unsure of what else I
could do.

I want nothing from this captain other than to make him
more aware others
near him. I seek no wrath of God (Dave), I want no money,
credits,
apologies, or compensation of any sort. I just want him to
slow down before
someone is seriously hurt or killed.

Scout