Jeeze, first you complain that I wait too long ...

Actually, I was surprised at what was NOT a distress signal - namely
tooting your horn.

Many years ago we spent a weekday night anchored near an island in
Boston Harbor. Early the next morning as we were headed in I saw an
old 28' power boat drifting and heard three toots. I flipped through
my Chapman's, and as I wondered why they were telling me they were
"operating astern propulsion," I heard a faint 'heeellllllppppp" from
the boat. It turned out they had grounded on a nearby island the
night before and damaged their shaft. The pump had run all night and
drained the battery. Now they were drifting free, slowly sinking,
without radio or engine. Two older guys and a teenage girl and a lot
of beer cans. When we came along side they had still not thought to
drop their anchor. Fortunately, all they wanted from us is to use the
radio to call a friend for a tow.

Many lessons learned that morning. First of all, I decided I really
should learn the rules. However, one can't assume the other guy even
knows they exist. And I'm still not sure what I learned from this
group, other than reinforcing my feeling that there s no limit to how
badly you can screw things up!






Joe wrote:
Now now now Jeff......

Remember you dont jump in and kill the fun right? Remember ? Huh.
Answer the holy beam question, or the Bos'n whistle questions, not the
easy book stuff. Damn your suppose to be a seasoned mariner, a man of
the 7 seas. Pull out yer best blue jacket manuel you can find.

Bonus describe as many offical other signs of distress as you can.

Joe