Barry is a veteran of multiple single-handed TransPac races finishing in Hanalei (he is doing it again in 2013 at age 67) and is also a delivery captain (has done return deliveries from HI to the west coast at least 20 times) and teaches sextant/celestial navigation (he says its easy...uh-huh.)
After leaving Neah bay a day after Paul, their propeller became entangled during the night in a crab pot line, 10 miles offshore! Barry said the water was over 150 ft deep, but knew he had a problem when his propeller started to whine and his motor sounded funny. Into neutral it immediately went, he knew the line was around his prop, so he shut off the motor, hoisted sails and continued on to Westport for inspection.
On the way over, he couldn't figure out WHY he was only doing 2 knots, when he should be doing 6. He checked his sail trim over and over again but was still wondering...
He called the Coast Guard to make them aware of the situation and to tow him in, but a Good Samaritan heard the call and towed them in, and they tied up right in front of us!
A funny name for such a mellow guy!
Trimming Out is tied up behind.
You can see one of the crab pot buoys off the port side, and...
...here's the other one, between the rudder (shown) and the keel (Rage has an 8' spade keel with torpedo).
After talking with Barry and Connie about their predicament, Paul to the rescue in his new 7mm Farmer-John wetsuit (thanks Keff!), hookah breathing rig and trusty diving knife!
"I'm going to earn us some dinner, honey!"
All ready to take the...
...PLUNGE!
Off the port side of Trimming he goes!
Taking the larger float on Rage's port side after cutting it free, it was stuck between the propeller shaft and the hull...
...and handing it to Connie.
Paul then dives around to clear the keel and unwind the line that is wrapped there as well.
Paul then dives around to clear the keel and unwind the line that is wrapped there as well.
Barry grabs the line and its covered with sea growth and barnacles!
He starts pulling and pulling and...
... over 200 feet later...
...a crab pot appears!
This is what they had been dragging when the buoy lines fouled the propeller!
This is what they had been dragging when the buoy lines fouled the propeller!
It's been down awhile, with lots of seaweed and there were also 5 Dungeness crab inside.
Unfortunately, most were dead, cannibalized by the stronger ones.
They REALLY must've been down there a long time, forgotten.
The large "survivor," he didn't even try to pinch me and
he didn't look too good when I put him back into the chilly waters.
Barry walked-off the length of rope against the length of his boat...
5 times!
That's 200 feet, not counting another 20 feet or so next to the crab pot.
The seagulls were dining on the crustaceans that were growing on the line.
Before getting out of the water, Paul gave Trimming a good tummy cleaning...
Paul, you are my HERO,
and s/v Rage's too!
Barry started up the motor and all sounded good. They were totally nice people and treated us to dinner that night! It was good for all, and we made some really good friends too!
Dining at Half Moon Bay Restaurant right down the dock from our boats.
The plan is for both Rage and Trimming to piggyback down to SF as soon as the weather clears up in one week.
dungeness crab is the best!!
ReplyDeleteBarry and Connie are currently moored in Morro Bay. S/V Rage's transmission broke and a new part is being shipped from England. Rage should be on her way south around the end of next week. Alex m/v Wild Blue
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