Saved by the Uscg last Saturday at this time

[kutztownwayne]

Am embarrassed to say it was me who had to call for the emergency help out off IBSP last Saturday afternoon near the 3 mile line.

First and foremost I am hoping to identify the boat that was near me when my emergency happened. The guys on that boat must have been wondering what the heck was going on. But they came to assist me and I really want to try and identify who it was so I can extend my sincerest appreciation. If you were the the person who helped please let me know, I owe you one!

It was myself and my teen son  and a friend of his on board with me today. Both are special needs kids so that didn't make things any easier. We had been trolling for about two hours with no problems at all, seas were a little rougher than I thought they were calling for though. Off the northern end of IBSP we saw birds working and we stopped and jigged a mess of 1-2 pounds blues. Next thing I know a wave comes over the stern and the back quarter of my 20 footer is under water. The entire OB engine was almost under water. My bilge pumps didn't seem to be working, the front of the boat kept lifting higher and the back kept going lower.

I started bailing as fast as I could with a 5 gallon bucket, all my tackle boxes and stuff were floating all over the place. I hailed the nearby boat and asked him to call in the emergency for me, better to get someone on the way at least. One of the boys was puking and the other started freaking out on me thinking we were going down. I had a real mess on my hands. I bailed and bailed and finally the bilge started pumping. I started the boat and by moving it, some of the water washed back over the back and the back end lifted some.

I got on the  radio and called for help myself. Between bailing, freaking out kids, and water still coming on I probably sounded like a maniac, sorry about that. I really feel like an idiot now that we are safe.

Anyway the nice guys in the other boat stayed with me while I headed in closer to shore and then the coast guard and Boat US and Sea Tow all got to me. The coast guard used their emergency pump and they started pumping my lower area out and that helped a lot. When they seemed concerned about how much water I took on I was even more nervous. But all the water got pumped out and the guy from the coast guard and boat us stayed on board with us and we headed to the coast guard dock. All safe and sound.

When we got in the coast guard guy found a hole in my bottom about the size of a pencil tip. Apparently that along with the wave that came over the stern is what got me into trouble. They gave me a temp patch and I was able to make it back to the marina.

I just want to thank anyone  who helped me out that day from the bottom of my heart. I am so thankful, like I said whoever that other boat was near me, I owe you big time and hope you will contact me. Thanks to sea tow, boat us and of course the men and women of the USCG.

I learned a few lessons today about safety and what to do and not do. I am glad it all ended like it did, even if my pride got dented.  Rod tells me that's why guys from pa should stay on lakes hahahahahhaha.    Actually I will never go out again without looking under all the hatches before leaving the slip. And I bought I hand held portable bilge pump. I will never leave without one again.  It's okay you. An laugh at me I can take it hahaha.

Thanks for letting me share.  Wayne

[Reel Time]

embarrassing, ya maybe, but could have been a lot worse than it was.  everyone made it home at the end of the day, and you learned a good lesson.

 but the best part of this,,,,, you get to pass that lesson on to the rest of us before harm can.

 i will be checking my bilge and pumps out before heading out after reading this.

[Reel Time]

oh, and thank you for sharing a bad event.

[Andys Delight]

You have nothing to be embarrassed about.  While you may have sounded frantic, you took action doing whatever you could to keep you and your crew safe as well as the boat.  Sounds to me like you handled everything the best you could and at the end of the day you and your crew are home safely.  That's what matters most.  Glad you are all ok.

[JeffL]

Glad you made it back safe.. Who cares what people think you got urself and the boys home safe thats all that matters..

[Hotrod]

Great post Wayne.   From the cell phone. 
Heard the story from Wayne a little while ago. And asked him to
Post it. So from his phone he did.   

Thank you for sharing this with us. You did well during the issue

Nothing to be ashamed off. 

[paul-e]

That must have scared the s*it out of you.
Cool heads prevailed. No shame at all bro.
Today your the hero

[kutztownwayne]

Thanks for the nice comments guys.  It means a lot coming from captains I have come to have a lot of respect for here on the website.  I guess it's like rising a horse you have to get back on free getting thrown. Hopefully te new pumps and patches are done in a few days and I can get back out there. 

[Offshore Madness]

Wow sorry to hear about this. There is Nothing to be embarrassed about.From reading your post it sounds like you did every thing any one of us would of done.  Im glad all is safe and sound. Thanks for posting your event upon the high sea. Its just a reminder that it can happen to any one of us at any time......Again glad all worked out ,as bad as it was ,it could of turn into much worse!
 

[BigAl13]

Unfortunate situation but tragedy adverted  good jop capt let this be a lesson to everyone to check ther bilge and always cary a bucket aboard. Keeping a wax ring for a toilet with you dont hurt either in case you can see the hole you can temp patch it to get home. Could have wound up worse, Glad to hear you made out all right, lake or ocean boats dont float well with a hole in the hull

[Kenny]

As long as your feet landed on the beach by days end...that's what counts...

Glad it all worked out and all are safe...

[SouthPaw]

You overcame the situation and all is safe. 

[Bucktail]

Great job under tense conditions.  Glad you all made it home safely.

[Mr Limpett]

Really, thanks for sharing this story. Truth is stuff happens out there and not just to somebody else. We all need to be ready for the unexpected, sounds like you handled it right. Glad it's all OK.

[Reel McCoy]

Glad this turned out well and all are safe.  Thanks for sharing with us I am sure we all have similar stories to tell. 

[fellinger]

Nothing to be ashamed of at all! You did what you were supposed to. Handled the issue. Contact help. Overcome a dangerous situation.

Hats off to you!

[IKAT]

  Great job Capt. 


You did a fantastic job in the situation you had.

Did you have a radio with DSC on board and your MMSI # in it--Just asking. Cause the responce time was surly fast!!

[Pops Soul]

Great Story Wayne, Glad all turned out okay. You said they found a hole the size of a pencil was that in the Hull of the boat? or was it in a hose, just curious