Drifting boat could have wiped me out

Drifting boat could have wiped me out

Postby Troppo » Wed Feb 13, 2013 9:14 am

Went out to do a regular check on Windchaser. Was a bit concerned about the boat anchored in front. Bit too close. I'm on a mooring.

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Tide was extra high and scuds of strong wind were blowing up the river. With the wind swinging the boats about, I suspected the blue boat was dragging but after watching it, seemed okay. But when I finished on Windchaser and rowed away, I was startled to see how close that dang boat was getting. And it was heading smack on to my boat.

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Racing back to Windchaser I leapt to the bow and as the steel boat swung to and fro I managed to keep it from catching on my mooring and as it moved back, I was straining to stop it from smashing my bow. Then I had to decide which side to let it slide past. For ages I kept pushing it off and letting it slip down the port side. Luckily it had various fenders out towards the stern so despite its bow smacking Windchaser a few times, I was able to get the fenders into play. While pushing off the boat with one hand, I tried calling the boat club only to find I did not have the number in my phone. SMS'd a guy in the club and he sent me the numbers. Interesting situation.

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Had to move my dinghy as it was on the port side and would have been crushed. The club Commodore, when I phoned him, asked if I could tie up the other boat which I did when it had slipped back enough that I could get the fenders working to best effect. The Commodore came out and since both of us were concerned about the change of tide swinging the boats around and tangling chains, we pulled up the blue boats anchor. Not much chain out. My mooring would be strong enough to hold both boats until the owner came and moved it.
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Re: Drifting boat could have wiped me out

Postby Troppo » Wed Feb 13, 2013 9:22 am

The Commodore, Wayne, has been busy as even though the flood is over, there has been ongoing boating dramas and repairs to the boat club facilities. However, he was happy to come out and give me a hand and contacted the owner.
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Windchaser appears tiny compared to the steel boat. I don't know how much damage, if any, it would have caused if I had not been there, but I was sure glad I had not left five minutes earlier as I would not have noticed it closing the gap.

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I told the Commodore as he stepped onto the blue boat, "Look what I caught? Is it a keeper or do I have to throw it back?"
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Re: Drifting boat could have wiped me out

Postby bearmcnally » Wed Feb 13, 2013 7:17 pm

Gee Troppo you have very strange raft ups up there ?

Hope all is well ,cheers Bear
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Re: Drifting boat could have wiped me out

Postby Shaun » Wed Feb 13, 2013 7:35 pm

Never a dull moment up there for you Louis,
Hopefully the owner of the blue boat will see it fitting to supply you with many cold beers,

cheers
Camden Haven River,
Mid Nth Coast, NSW

Order of the Albatross - 2011
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