bshillam
Guru
- Joined
- May 18, 2013
- Messages
- 801
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Our Heaven
- Vessel Make
- 1997 4800 Navigator
I wanted to share an experience my family had yesterday in the hopes that someone benefits from our mishap.
The day prior, Friday Bellingham area had some gale force winds measuring above 40-50 mph at some point on and off through out the day. The following, Saturday, my father and I were to set out on a Christmas cruise to La Conner just about 20 miles away South of Bellingham. I checked the weather and NOAA stated by mid day winds would die down and waves would be at 2 foot or less.
Neither of us were in any hurry and figured if the winds did not die we would spend the afternoon on the boat playing cribbage and enjoy some wine together.
We puddered around for the first few hours of the day and around 11 or so I decided to do my engine checks, fluids, belts and what not prior to heading out. Watching the wind and predicted weather we decided things had calmed down and would release the lines. I began turning the boat and a wind came up say maybe 15 mph +/- with the boat sideways to the prevailing wind it began pushing me towards the opposite side of the docks where there were several boats. Each time I corrected the stern of the boat the wind would begin pushing again. I ran out of room when we were about two feet from the sterns of boats opposite of my slip.
I said to Dad, I am losing it, fenders fenders - in this boat I carry four main with four of five back ups. Unfortunately things happen a bit to quick and my father put his hands in between my boat and anothers swimstep. At the end of the swimstep there were two tender brackets - these brackets centered the force of my boats weight and momentum onto four points totaling maybe six inches. So what does a 20,000lbs boat and six inches of force equal. Maybe someone will chime in with a enginering degree. In any case, his plan was to help push out and away from those brackets but his finger decided it wanted to soften the impact and nearly released its rightful place from his hand. Within seconds he says,
"I broke my finger." The tone of it all said, this is bad. He adds, "I need to go to emergency."
All the while one of my neighbors was putting up Christmas lights on his boat and saw this unfold. He ran over with another friend and pushed our boat away from the others at dock. I told everyone we were going for the first spot we could safely dock the boat. Lines were thrown to my neighbor (many thanks to Bob and his friend!!!) Dad had already gone inside grabbed the nearest rag and had his finger wrapped. (Or what was suppose to be a finger) With two lines and spring set we walked to the car to drive to emergency.
After spending eight hours in emergency and a nearly one hour plastic surgery he may gain the use of his finger back. This is with four weeks of recovery - maybe more and another three to four months of physical therapy.
Needless to say, the Christmas cruise was canceled - the finger is on the mend - no one had any wine last night - I got my father (and mother) back to a warm home to spend the night at midnight. Lessons learned,
1. No body parts between yourself and boat or boats or docks! Yes that was on the briefing. Even my mother asked my father, "didn't you read the briefing?"
2. Wait longer for less wind. (I have had a boat nearly full time since 2008 and did not anticipate the affect on the vessel.)
3. Move to a larger slip. (Thanks Bob, I'll be calling on Monday and get into something better suited for the length)
4. Did I mention no body parts? "Keep your hands in the vehicle at all times and objects are closer than they appear."
5. Try to be more prepared for the unexpected....
The day prior, Friday Bellingham area had some gale force winds measuring above 40-50 mph at some point on and off through out the day. The following, Saturday, my father and I were to set out on a Christmas cruise to La Conner just about 20 miles away South of Bellingham. I checked the weather and NOAA stated by mid day winds would die down and waves would be at 2 foot or less.
Neither of us were in any hurry and figured if the winds did not die we would spend the afternoon on the boat playing cribbage and enjoy some wine together.
We puddered around for the first few hours of the day and around 11 or so I decided to do my engine checks, fluids, belts and what not prior to heading out. Watching the wind and predicted weather we decided things had calmed down and would release the lines. I began turning the boat and a wind came up say maybe 15 mph +/- with the boat sideways to the prevailing wind it began pushing me towards the opposite side of the docks where there were several boats. Each time I corrected the stern of the boat the wind would begin pushing again. I ran out of room when we were about two feet from the sterns of boats opposite of my slip.
I said to Dad, I am losing it, fenders fenders - in this boat I carry four main with four of five back ups. Unfortunately things happen a bit to quick and my father put his hands in between my boat and anothers swimstep. At the end of the swimstep there were two tender brackets - these brackets centered the force of my boats weight and momentum onto four points totaling maybe six inches. So what does a 20,000lbs boat and six inches of force equal. Maybe someone will chime in with a enginering degree. In any case, his plan was to help push out and away from those brackets but his finger decided it wanted to soften the impact and nearly released its rightful place from his hand. Within seconds he says,
"I broke my finger." The tone of it all said, this is bad. He adds, "I need to go to emergency."
All the while one of my neighbors was putting up Christmas lights on his boat and saw this unfold. He ran over with another friend and pushed our boat away from the others at dock. I told everyone we were going for the first spot we could safely dock the boat. Lines were thrown to my neighbor (many thanks to Bob and his friend!!!) Dad had already gone inside grabbed the nearest rag and had his finger wrapped. (Or what was suppose to be a finger) With two lines and spring set we walked to the car to drive to emergency.
After spending eight hours in emergency and a nearly one hour plastic surgery he may gain the use of his finger back. This is with four weeks of recovery - maybe more and another three to four months of physical therapy.
Needless to say, the Christmas cruise was canceled - the finger is on the mend - no one had any wine last night - I got my father (and mother) back to a warm home to spend the night at midnight. Lessons learned,
1. No body parts between yourself and boat or boats or docks! Yes that was on the briefing. Even my mother asked my father, "didn't you read the briefing?"
2. Wait longer for less wind. (I have had a boat nearly full time since 2008 and did not anticipate the affect on the vessel.)
3. Move to a larger slip. (Thanks Bob, I'll be calling on Monday and get into something better suited for the length)
4. Did I mention no body parts? "Keep your hands in the vehicle at all times and objects are closer than they appear."
5. Try to be more prepared for the unexpected....
Last edited:
last time we were out. Gunnel's rising as we approach the dock and it looks as though the skipper's going to stuff the corner underneath it.....so out goes the little hand...??
