Close Shave
Sunday was one of the best boating days of this season and it seemed to drive every local boater to the water. Naturally, the seamanship abilities ranged the gamut from expert to tenderfoot and the mix of overcrowded waterways with beginner level skills made for some tense moments as I experienced heading out the harbor. I was about ½ way to the harbor entrance when I noticed a small outboard runabout on a direct collision course with no one at the helm. The captain, the only person aboard, was rummaging around in one of the forward compartments, completely oblivious to the danger ahead. Finally, when our boats were about 100’ from each other, he mentally woke up made a last minute maneuver to avoid collision. I had little room to maneuver in the crowded channel and that accident would have really ruined both his day and mine. Lessons learned – try to avoid crowded spaces when boating and don’t count on the other captains being focused and competent. The boat you save, may be your own.
