Nope, I didn't call them. They were circling over a broke-down boat load
of Bahamian fishermen who had been missing for several days.


Joe wrote:
So..... why did they drop a rescue kit to you?

Sorry, I didn't explain it too well. It's a somewhat complicated story.


Was it a mistake? Were you to deliver it to the broke down fishing boat?

Yes, that was the general idea. These guys were anchored on the banks NE
of Great Isaac with a broke down motor & no radio. They had been there a
few days, not hungry (they caught plenty of fish, in fact tried to sell
us some) but thirsty and eager to get home. We had to return the charter
boat at Ft Lauderdale and so towed them to Bimini, which was on our way.
They didn't like it much... they wanted to go back to Grand Bahama which
would have taken us an extra day and cost us plenty with the charter
company.

The USCG plane vectored us to the fishermen, we gave them some water &
offered to tow them. They refused at first, then I let one of them
aboard to talk to BASRA on our radio. BASRA said, "We'll come get you if
you pay for it." The USCG wasn't going to tow them either. They were mad
but we were the only game in town.

Somewhere in my personal papers I have a commendation from the USCG
district commander, and an aerial photo of us hauling that stupid crate
on board.




I didn't know the USCG had Lear jets either, in fact when I saw it, I
thought it was a drug deal in the making and turned to go the other way.
I also specifically requested that they *not* drop us anything, but the
pilot wanted to make his Boy Scout points for the day.


Not only do they have Lears they also have some fine Hawkers.

Did you keep the small gas pump? What else did you get?

Nope, I left the crate on the foredeck of the charter boat.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King