[UPDATE 4:57 p.m.] Sailboat in Distress in Humboldt Bay
The front sailboat is stuck on a mudflat. [Crop of a photo by Mark McKenna]
Rescue personnel wait for orders. [Photo by Mark McKenna]
Sailboat stuck on a mudflat in the Humboldt Bay. [Photo by Mark McKenna]
Coast Guard approaching the stranded vessel. [Crop of a photo by Mark McKenna]
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- A person on the sailboat secures the jib sail.
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- A US Coast Guard boat arrives on scene to assist the sailboat stuck on a mud flat.
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- A US Coast Gaurd member throws a weighted line to the distressed vessel.
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- The US Coast Guard boat towed the sailboat off the mud flat it had become stuck on.
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Do we not expect the tide to rise again?
All tides have been canceled until further notice.
“Time and tide wait for no man” Robert Hunter
The quote predates R.Hunter by about 600 years and, undoubtedly, the sentiment is much older. Geoffrey Chaucer is credited for the quote.
Drop the sails ASAP, weigh anchor at the stern, lead the anchor rode to the bow and spin the boat on the keel to point out to deeper water. Power out as the tide rises. Sometimes weight on the boom and canting the hull can refloat the boat also.
Yes. Everyone knows that
He didn’t. I watched him.
That was sarcasm
Sailboats constantly get stuck on mudflats in the bay. Poor navigational skills. Bad pony engines. They draft a lot of water with their centerboards.
The Humboldt Yacht Club used to award a trophy for this – a jar of bay mud!
I really see this as no joking matter. You are making fun of someone’s misfortune.
I think other people’s misfortunes are one of the foundations of comedy.
Bingo!
I would consider this misfortune an inconvenience.
Mud is soft, rocks break things. Plus as Ms. Coosky points out the tide rises twice a day. In a few hours they would be afloat again. The outboard would get them back to the marina after that.
I agree. I was just trying to be politically correct.
Affirmative. Also, only the truth, or the perceived truth, is funny.
Dude, we pretty much covered the universe of humor. High fives all around.
“It’s funny because it’s true.”- H.J.Simpson
As my name says, it’s no joke – it’s a real trophy. Actually kinda a nice way to let people know they’re not the first one to run aground and won’t be the last!
??They only went out for a three hour tour. ?♂️??
Mark???
I believe that they first “assessed” the situation and then they “accessed” the location. 🙂
Sigh…I hate being an idiot. Thank you.
You are not an idiot just maybe overworked.
Or under rested. On another note, running up on a mud flat does not make one “in distress”. Taking on water might, as would getting injured. Personally, when I ran aground (twice) I never told anybody.
You have now. 😉
Yes, that would be super embarrassing if someone ran aground twice, cough cough. I don’t know about sailboats but props will work in mud with enough throttle application, or so I’ve been told
Running aground is commonplace. It’s good if it’s mostly mud. Most sailors have a plan for that.
For Laura, I always have something I like to drink or relax with when I am on board. Food, cheese, salami, interesting crackers, maybe a good loaf of bread and a bottle of wine all make waiting for the tide more fun. Even a good nap works. Call the Coasties and tell them to relax, you are alright, the boat is fine and mother nature will make her rescue in a few hours.
Sadly it is true, I have been out on the bay in a sailboat myself.
Guaranteed they got the ‘ole stem to stern “boat safety check” once they got yarded off the shoal, complete with the “any firearms on board” question…
So true. Once the Coast Guard gets involved, you get the full treatment.
Anybody know more about the old Humboldt Yacht Club?
I think you can see the remnants of their old spot on the South side of the bay, at Table Bluff?
http://www.humboldtyachtclub.org/
Yes getting stuck in the mud happens. No it is not an emergency unless someone is hurt or the boat is taking on water and endanger of sinking. Yes the tide would have picked up the boat and they would have been able to motor back to the marina.
Unfortunately when sailboats become stuck they appear to the public as a boat in distress. I have spoken with the Captain of the boat and he did not request emergency assistance.
Probably glad he didn’t have to sit and wait for the tide, though.