Mac to the rescue

[Russ]

Last weekend we were heading back to our marina because winds and chop were making boating no more fun.
I saw a small runabout turned sideways to the wind and blowing quickly towards a rock wall in water 70 feet deep. Someone was flipping a paddle in the water and I realized something looked very wrong.
We approached and yelled "Are you okay?" "We're out of gas" was the reply. The captain asked if we had any gas. Well, the wind was blowing 20-25 and I wasn't about to disconnect my fuel line and pass him some gas so instead I tossed him a line and offered a tow.
There were three people on board and I saw no PFDs. These folks were minutes away from smashing on the rocks.
We towed them back to the bay they launched from where worried family members greeted them. They thanked us profusely for the help. We left them saying we were glad to help and to help a sailboat if they see them in distress.
Having all that power to tow a boat in heavy winds and seas was comforting. This is a great boat.

So who says a Mac isn't a versatile boat capable of much.

[Hardcrab]

It must have been a Mac tow boat weekend.
My grandson and I towed in one of those stand up type PWC's from the outer breakwall at Marina Del Rey, about 1 1/2 miles.
He said a wire had broken as we came close to him treading water. He wasn't in any close danger.
One of the "bay watch" lifeboats approached after we threw him the stern line and asked if they needed to tow him.
We were going in anyhow, so we declined their offer. They seemed relieved.
It must have made a strange picture, a Mac towing a jet ski with the rider holding on to the handle bar and floating behind.

Same thing, he offered money and many thanks.
We asked him to just pass on the favor one day.

[bastonjock]

another good story that demonstrates the macs versatility,i hope the folks in the small craft now realise that PFD,s and flares etc are a nesessity on the water

[kmclemore]

Good job!

Now, according to maritime law, you should have salvage rights on the vessel, right?

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Great story. It makes boating much safer, watching out for and helping one another.
I keep a 1 gallon container of gasoline in the cockpit for an emergency--and guess what, I had to use it myself last month when I ran out of gas entering my Marina. Fortunately, live aboards in the Marina saw me, and knew what was up and assisted me with my pier hook. No scrapes or scratches, whewww
A couple of quarts of fuel, a few pumps on the prime bulb, and I was on my way to my slip waving "thanks" to helping careing thoughtful folk ... really nice folk !

[Russ]

Great story. It makes boating much safer, watching out for and helping one another.

Exactly. Most boaters are good folks, but there are a lot of people who don't know what they are doing and are completely unprepared. These folks offered money and thanks. Just pay it forward and we are all benefactors.

The lesson here is to be observant.
I saw something about this boat looked wrong. Sideways to the wind and someone trying to paddle with an object. My wife said, "How did you see that?" By being observant and looking for stuff that is not normal. Same holds for other aspects of boating, look at the water to see if it looks strange for signs of wind gusts or submerged hazards. And of course our fellow boaters.

I joked with my son, "Nice dinghy we picked up back there huh?"

[Andy26M]

It's actually more than just "boaters/sailors are nice people" or a tradition of kinship on the water:

Excerpted from Title 46, U.S. Code, para. 2304:

"A master or individual in charge of a vessel shall render assistance to any individual found at sea in danger of being lost, so far as the master or individual in charge can do so without serious danger to the master's or individual's vessel or individuals on board."
and
"A master or individual violating this section shall be fined not more than $1000, imprisoned for not more then 2 years, or both."

In practice, a Mac 26 does qualify as a "vessel" under this law. Regarding "in danger of being lost": this includes a person who may drown, so just about anyone on the water in any kind of distress. Note also, that for you to decide not to render assistance, you or your boat must be in "serious" danger, i.e. getting a few scratches on your new Donzi would not relieve you of this duty.

Rendering assistance can be as simple as calling the Coast Guard or dialing 911 on a cell phone, all the way up to offering a tow - it is very subjective and situation dependent.

- Andy

[NiceAft]

First, before I go any farther I must ask.........Kevin, is that your H.S. graduation photo You're look younger every day

Next.

It's actually more than just "boaters/sailors are nice people" or a tradition of kinship on the water:

A few years ago I took a friend and his 28 years old nephew who was visiting from Israel, out on the Atlantic. We had to travel through some back bay areas of Atlantic City before actually getting on the ocean. As a result we passed a great many boats of all sizes and power. After about twenty minutes, my Israeli friend mentioned about how friendly Americans are. I agreed, but inquired as to where his experience comes from. He responded with, "every body waves when they go by"

Ray

[Trouts Dream]

This past weekend the admiral and I were out for a sail on Ghost lake. Didn't want to stray too far as we were waiting to take a member from this board out for a sail on an X. Full main and 150 genoa, heeling at 15 degrees, 4-4.5 knots passing by a runabout about 200m away. I waved hello and the occupants yelled something back. I stood up and put my hand to my ear and they yelled again. HELP. Within 2 minutes sailes were furled, engine down and running and we ran over to see the problem. 3 Tourists from Japan (husband, wife and her mother) in a rental boat that was not running. Threw them a line and then ate my lunch as we towed them back to the dock. (turns out the fuel line had become disconected but the Mother wanted off the water).
Went below and had a 1/2 hour nap until guests showed up and went back out sailing.

Love the versatility of the MAC

[kmclemore]

First, before I go any farther I must ask.........Kevin, is that your H.S. graduation photo You're look younger every day ...

Heck, Ray, you've met me - do I look THAT old???

Besides, this one was taken only a few months ago....