The Worst Offshore Boat Trip Ever!

[Capt. Bill]

It all started as a day trip with friends. Myself, my partner, the mate, his dad, step mom, sister and her boyfriend, all headed offshore for a day of fun fishing aboard my 39' Sea Ray. As the day went on, we had a great time soaking up the sun and catching fish over the wreck of the Mexican Pride, about 45 miles west of Sarasota. No one noticed that the genset had stopped charging sometime during the day and when we decided to leave, the batteries were very low on juice. My stubborn 3208 CATs hated low batteries. The port started okay, but the starboard refused. We began limping home on one engine. We got to the 30 mile mark and lost power. Anyone who knows CATs knows that the fuel solenoids only work when there is at least 8 volts on the battery, and mine were now flat, discharging as the engine ran. P.O.S.! I dropped the anchor and called Boat US towing. In about two hours they arrived with a jump pack, and we started the port engine again, only this time, I had both batteries routed to it to keep it running. The tow boat disappeared and we continued in at 5 mph. As night fell, a huge storm came upon us from shore, bringing gale winds, lightning and waves topping 15 feet. At the 15 mile mark, we lost the engine again, dropped anchor and started riding out the storm. Unfortunately, it wasn't one of those quick summer storms, this one was lasting all night. We were lucky in the fact that we had enough juice to run the GPS. The VHF wouldn't transmit though. Unbelievably, we got through to 911 on a cell phone and contacted the Coast Guard. We told the coasties of the problem, where we were and they said they were on the way. I, my mate and partner were up in the helm waiting for our tow, and I decided to go check on the others. When I entered the cabin, they were crying, throwing up in my buckets and praying for their lives. One said we were going to die! I told them to quiet down and relax. After all, the boat was holding up fine, we were anchored, and help is on the way. "If I hand you a life jacket and tell you to jump, THEN you can start crying!" I said, and returned to the helm, where my partner sat whistling the tune from Gilligan's Island. The Coast Guard Arrived at around 3 a.m. and towed us in. We reached the dock at 7 a.m., and everyone was fine. Funny, I never saw my mate or his family again!

[flyfish]

Originally Posted by Capt. Bill It all started as a day trip with friends. Myself, my partner, the mate, his dad, step mom, sister and her boyfriend, all headed offshore for a day of fun fishing aboard my 39' Sea Ray. As the day went on, we had a great time soaking up the sun and catching fish over the wreck of the Mexican Pride, about 45 miles west of Sarasota. No one noticed that the genset had stopped charging sometime during the day and when we decided to leave, the batteries were very low on juice. My stubborn 3208 CATs hated low batteries. The port started okay, but the starboard refused. We began limping home on one engine. We got to the 30 mile mark and lost power. Anyone who knows CATs knows that the fuel solenoids only work when there is at least 8 volts on the battery, and mine were now flat, discharging as the engine ran. P.O.S.! I dropped the anchor and called Boat US towing. In about two hours they arrived with a jump pack, and we started the port engine again, only this time, I had both batteries routed to it to keep it running. The tow boat disappeared and we continued in at 5 mph. As night fell, a huge storm came upon us from shore, bringing gale winds, lightning and waves topping 15 feet. At the 15 mile mark, we lost the engine again, dropped anchor and started riding out the storm. Unfortunately, it wasn't one of those quick summer storms, this one was lasting all night. We were lucky in the fact that we had enough juice to run the GPS. The VHF wouldn't transmit though. Unbelievably, we got through to 911 on a cell phone and contacted the Coast Guard. We told the coasties of the problem, where we were and they said they were on the way. I, my mate and partner were up in the helm waiting for our tow, and I decided to go check on the others. When I entered the cabin, they were crying, throwing up in my buckets and praying for their lives. One said we were going to die! I told them to quiet down and relax. After all, the boat was holding up fine, we were anchored, and help is on the way. "If I hand you a life jacket and tell you to jump, THEN you can start crying!" I said, and returned to the helm, where my partner sat whistling the tune from Gilligan's Island. The Coast Guard Arrived at around 3 a.m. and towed us in. We reached the dock at 7 a.m., and everyone was fine. Funny, I never saw my mate or his family again! I'm glad to hear that you could at least get through to the coast guard. My experience on the Great Lakes was somewhat similar but at least I couldn't be dragged out to some deserted island like your tune might have implied from Gilligan's Island. lol!!!

[HighTide]

You were very lucky to have been able to call the coast guard! If they were that afraid then, could you imagine if you hadn't been able to get in touch with anyone! I usually stay outwardly calm in stressful situations, but that would have unnerved me a little. What a headache though, it was a very good thing you were able to get your boat closer to where you were going!

[Bayliner]

I live in Michigan so I don't have any experience with the ocean but the Great Lakes get pretty bad too. Many don't think of the Lakes getting 15 foot waves or more but they do. You were very lucky to have survived your ordeal. Just look what happened to those NFL players when they went out for some fishing and fun. Your situation could have had a much worse outcome.

[hooked]

I have to admit that I would be pretty much petrified if something like that happened while out on the ocean. Lakes and stuff, you know you can most likely reach shore eventually. my partner sat whistling the tune from Gilligan's Island I'd be willing to bet that wasn't soothing any of the passenger's nerves...lol.