NeptunesJester wrote:


Ok....better question. When I run aground, what's the first thing I should
do? ;

-Greg

After quickly checking on condition of crew/boat, I would call Coast
Guard on VHF. Up here they are very helpful pulling you off dangerous
rocks etc.

That would work as well depending on where you are. Down here on the
Northern Gulf Coast, the Coast Guard could care less about recreational
boaters. You'll only get their attention in a Mayday situation or if
you claim to have Al Qaeda members onboard. I called them one time to
report that some joker had swapped dayboard signs to opposite sides of
the channel. They said they knew about it, but didn't have the fuel to
run the boat to fix them. I'm still waiting for a call back from the
Duty Officer from a request I made back in April. I'm not holding my
breath.

I don't mean to rant on the Coast Guard, they do have their hands full
with all the new Homeland Security initiatives, drug interdictions, and
the like. They do a great job with what limited funding and antiquated
equipment they have.