- Joined
- Jul 30, 2004
- RO Number
- 14642
- Messages
- 2,612
We anchored out at sore thumb with two other boats. Adults and kids doing some fishing, scooting around in a dinghy, it was fun watching my friend's (not me) trying to stand on an inflatable surf board while being pulled around. I then noticed this guy doing jumping jacks on his boat's bow, and then discharged an aerial flare, all the signs of a boater in distress. But it did not make sense, they were close to shore, no one else on the boat jumping, there were people strolling along the beach with no one stopping to look. It just seemed very strange.
I went to channel 16, then my hailer to try telling him to go to 16, but he kept jumping and waving. I waved back with my VHF mic in my hand, trying to get him to go to the radio. Within a couple of minutes my buddy came back with the dink and we asked him to go check out if there is a problem.
He went over and the guy tells him that his friend is in the inlet looking for him….. Not sure exactly what my friend told him, but I am sure he made the guy realize he did a stupid action. Or maybe not….
WTF !! What about a vhf radio, cell phone, a plan of a meeting spot. Not only could he have caused a major effort by the coast guard, the flare hit the water not that far from our boats. It was sought of a dud flare, went up maybe a 100 feet, but just the same, that was stupid. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't it illegal to discharge a flare if not an emergency, unless it is in a controlled sanctioned spot?
When his friend finally came and they put out fenders fit for a small center console for 30+' boats and watching the tie up, was also a popcorn and beer event. It said it all !!
I went to channel 16, then my hailer to try telling him to go to 16, but he kept jumping and waving. I waved back with my VHF mic in my hand, trying to get him to go to the radio. Within a couple of minutes my buddy came back with the dink and we asked him to go check out if there is a problem.
He went over and the guy tells him that his friend is in the inlet looking for him….. Not sure exactly what my friend told him, but I am sure he made the guy realize he did a stupid action. Or maybe not….
WTF !! What about a vhf radio, cell phone, a plan of a meeting spot. Not only could he have caused a major effort by the coast guard, the flare hit the water not that far from our boats. It was sought of a dud flare, went up maybe a 100 feet, but just the same, that was stupid. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't it illegal to discharge a flare if not an emergency, unless it is in a controlled sanctioned spot?
When his friend finally came and they put out fenders fit for a small center console for 30+' boats and watching the tie up, was also a popcorn and beer event. It said it all !!