I once stood by a sailor, SE of Cape May. He was on his third attempt
(we later found out) to sail his boat with his girlfriend to the Med.
He ran into bad weather and his steering was becoming sloppy (supposedly).
I made the CG calls and got a copter heading for him (did not like the
odds of taking an 800+' ship alongside, especially with my freeboard).
Another sailboat, inbound from Europe offered to put one or two of it's
crew aboard to help sail the boat to Norfolk .... he refused.
He and his girlfriend ended up jumping into the water, endangering the
life of a rescue swimmer, for their rescue.
The boat was towed into port by a passing fisherman, a few days
later.....intact.
I'm always glad that on numerous occasions I've been able to rescue
and/or assist those in need, but I'm constantly ****ed at those who are
in over their heads, lacking in common sense, who endanger the lives of
others because they think they know what they're doing or "have a dream"
whereas in truth they haven't a clue and their dream sucks.


otn