10/04/2014 - 21st annual Whitebread race. Start time 8:45 am
We pull out of the New Suffolk Shipyard around 8:00 on the morning of 10/04/14. The race start was in Cutchogue harbor. It was a nice enough day for that time of year. The weather was overcast and the sea had swells. We had a great start for our division and made our way out of the harbor. We past Nassau Point heading Northeast through Jessup Neck toward Greenport. The racecourse was clockwise around Shelter Island.
As we pulled away from Greenport heading into Gardner’s Bay, I was up on the starboard side of the deck even with the mast. My position was to help flatten the boat as we were on a port tack. We did tack to a starboard run, but after a couple minutes we tacked backed again to the port. I was there for approximately 30 minutes, maybe more. The boat does not have life lines going around. I had to hold on to the decking/rail and mast stays to keep my position. For the most part I was looking forward watching as the swells build. They became larger and larger. I made mocked impersonations from the scene in Forest Gump when they were on the boat in a hurricane. I was getting very wet as salt water sprayed back and hit me head on. To a limited extent, I was blocking the others from the spray. But the cover I provided was virtually nil.
We came up on MOA buoy off Ram’s Head in Gardiners Bay. We needed to get in position to tack around the mark. The skipper (Bill) and Mike let me know to get ready. I needed to make my way back to the cockpit.
I turned slightly to my right, swung my legs to face the starboard side of the boat. I then started to inch my way back to the stern.
It was at this point that I was knocked backward and to the side and thrown from the starboard side to the port side of the boat. I almost skidded off the boat into the water. I was basically straddling the boat on my belly with my head pointing towards the port side with my feet pointing starboard. Not sure how close I was to the edge of the boat but I remember thinking “G$D D@MN! I am going to slide off into the “G$D D@MN!" water!”
I held on to whatever I could and Mike grabbed me. Between the two of us, I held on and crawled on my belly to the starboard side of the boat. My head was now facing the stern.
At this point we needed to tack because 1. It was the optimal point to maintain our position in the race. and 2. Not tacking would move us further away from any land mass.
Some of the other crew were yelling that we had to tack; others were yelling that we/I was not ready. I heard Bill saying “Dom’s not ready”. Mike was also yelling something along the lines of “Get ready!!..Get ready!” I am not sure if Jen’s voice was mixed in there somewhere. I yelled back something along the lines of “I‘m good I’m good. Tack Tack. I will roll into the cockpit… Go Go Do not wait for me, I am good”
Someone yelled “here we go” and I felt us turn. At this point I was lying on my belly with my upper torso somewhat in the cockpit. My lower torso and legs were on the deck. All in the same moment, I felt the boat turn to the starboard side. Feet scrabbled up to the rail. The boom started to swing. And I pulled myself forward, half falling and half crawling into the cockpit. Water poured all over me as it sloshed around the floor of the cockpit. I was forcibly thrown left and right against the bulkhead. My life preserver acted like a bumper, protecting me from getting really banged up.
I tried to get my footing. I pulled myself up reaching for the port side. The boat was almost at a 45 degree angle listing to the starboard side. As I got to my feet. Bill and Jen both commanded “free the Jib. We got to get the jib free”. I looked over and saw that the line to the jib was locked down.
The jib was draw tight as if we were heading into the wind. But we weren’t! The wind was pushing into the jib forcing the boat down on the starboard side. At the same time waves were hammering into the bottom port side of the hull. This was forcing us more over the starboard side. The starboard rail had breached and seawater was pouring in and out of the boat. I reached over and gave the jib line a yank. Nothing! It would not come loose! There was a lot of pressure on it. I moved closer and yanked with all the strength I could muster. The line came loose from the lock. The boat slammed back down and rolled over to the port side.
I lost my footing and slammed butt down on to the port side seat. At this point it seemed like we lost all steerage. Bill and Jen work the Main and Jib line respectively to get the sails under control. I am not sure if a wave hit us or a wind gust grabbed the sail. Maybe both! But we again listed hard to the starboard side. More water poured in. The starboard side seat/hatch cover was open and slamming around. Water was pouring into it. Bill yelled “we got to get it closed”. I reached over to try and shut it. But lines, cushions, a coiled hose and other stuff was floating in and out of the hatch.
I started pulling stuff aside, trying to throw it into the cabin. At some point I just started throwing the stuff out of the way not knowing where it was going. I got the hatch closed. The cockpit was filled with water. We had stopped listing violently left and right. But we were still rock hard. Someone said “we are swamping we need to pail this out.” I hard Mike say “F*ck, F*ck, F*ck! We were in this race and this happens again! I F*cking can’t believe this!”
I looked into the cabin for something to pail the water out with. The cabin was filled with water sloshing around. I sort of noticed that the boat stopped rocking and listing about. It had started to settle to the starboard / stern. Bill calmly said ”Were going down. Stay with the boat. Be sure to stay with the boat.”
At that moment, everything seemed to go in slow motion. I looked around. The stern was heaving in and out of the water. More “in” than “out”. I remember thinking “We can’t be sinking? These boats don’t sink. They swamp, but don’t sink!”
The boat keys came out of the ignition and were sloshing about. Bill said “Grab the keys”. It took a few tries but I snatched them up, stuck them in my right side windbreaker pocket and zipped it closed.
As I watched, the stern slipped under the water, first just a little. But then it slid back and down. The bow started to come up. At one point it was like sitting in a beach chair as the tide rolled in at super speed. We all started to scrabble around. We wanted to be free of the lines. At least that is what I was thinking. I was looking around trying to stay clear. I could see that Mike and Jen were up above me a little and to my left. I found myself standing on what I guessed was the mast or maybe the boom with water up to my neck. The boat was half submerged with the bow up in the air. I was holding on to some pole/sail combination. Bill was standing next to me on my right.
I looked over to him and said “I guess it is OK if I take a piss now.”
He said “I am”
All seemed to settle for a moment. The boat seemed to bob around like a cork in the water. We were all calm.
Not sure how long it took, but it seemed like the boat surged up a few inches and then started to slide down into the water. It made all sorts of hissing and creaking sounds as it went down. We all clamored up the deck to the bow…. Like climbing an escalator going in reverse. We were “moving” but just staying on the water’s surface.
At some point during this time, I turned to Bill and said: “Bill, I just want to let you know what a wonderful time I am having!” He gave me a thin smile and we both just kept “climbing”.
We got to the front (top) of the boat and then it was gone. The boat’s tip slowly spun and rocked too and fro and then it was gone from sight. I thought for a moment to try to hold on to it but I could not reach it. This was just as well since I later learned that the boat settled to the bottom on its keel in about 50’ to 60’ of water.
I am told that the boat sunk in approximately 2 - 3 minutes.
The four of us we were now floating free in the water. I was less scared and more pissed off. The life preserver I had on did not fit real well and kept slipping up and over my head. I had to keep one arm around my shoulders and neck to keep it in place. Waves kept smacking over me and throwing me about. I can only guess that because of my prior years of scuba diving, I stayed calm. I just kept timing the waves trying to avoid taking in a lung full of sea water. Even so, I swallowed a fair amount of sea water.
I remember thinking that there was a real possibility that I was going to die. I kept kicking and trying to stay above water. Leaning on my back to float. Even so, I was not scared of dying, just pissed off that I could die. This made me try harder and my mind raced through next steps on how to get out of the water. Things like “Is the tide coming in? I think so.” and “I should be able to float in. Maybe end up on Shelter Island.”
Boats past by with their crews all scrambling around. Each trying to avoid hitting us and at the same time asking if we needed help and is anyone hurt. They were confused as to why these people were in the water. I learned latter that most did not realize that a boat had sunk since it happened so fast. When they saw us, it was confusing. Some did not see all four of us, just one or two people in the water. All thought we had fallen off a boat. But which boat? Why had it not stopped to pick up its lost crew member(s)!
We floated about in two groups. Jen and Mike where together. Bill and I were together about 20 or 30 feet away from them. Two boats came about. The Sea Breeze and Tidelines. They moved into help rescue us. Jen and Mike were closest to Sea Breeze. Sea Breeze threw out a rescue ring which was actually more of a horseshoe shape. We all made our way towards it.
Jen was the first to get a hand on the rescue line followed by Mike. I made my way to the “horseshoe” end as did Bill. My mind immediately refocused to the job at hand. As stupid as this sound, I have been in similar situations such as this. Between my scuba diving days and in general days on a boat, it happens that you have multiple people sharing a line to get on the boat.
By now I was very fatigued. It was hard to hold on to the line. There was a fair amount of torgue as the Sea Breeze was under power to keep steerage.
http://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/2014/10/52674/sailboat-sinks-during-whitebread-race-crew-rescued-by-fellow-racers/
Friday, April 8, 2016
Thursday, February 5, 2015
United Nations Relocation
Here is my thought for today.
Time to give the United Nation the boot out of the USA. It is just not fair and discriminates against the rest of the world. Here is why.
With the United Nations in the USA and specifically in New York City, the delegates lose perspective. They are living in a relatively safe, comfortable environment. There is no real stress on their lives. And, in most cases, they are living in far better situations than their home country.
I am not saying the UN needs to move around like a gypsy caravan. But if they stay in any place longer then say 10 years, those morons become super morons.
If the UN was located in a place were there is a real threat to life and limb, I think these so called "Representatives of the People" may be a little more inclined to make that part of the world a better place.
For the love of God, people are getting beheaded by ISIS over in the Arab country's. What is the UN doing about it? I would tell you if I knew, but it seems like nothing. They are just hang around The Russian Tea Room saying:
Delegate #1 "Oh my, these beheadings are really a terrible thing"
Delegate #2 "I could not agree more. Please pass the chips"
D1 "Certainly. So someone should make a stand and put ISIS in their place"
D2 "Yes, you are right. If you catch the waiters eye, please wave him over. We need more wine"
D1 "I see him. Excuse me. My friend and I would both like another bottle of your finest red wine. And please bring fresh glasses"
D2 "Excellent idea! And do not worry about ISIS, I am sure that the USA or Jordan will take some type of action"
Now if these two tinkle berry's were eating roasted rat, drinking putrid water and using their left hand to wipe there rear ends after a bathroom run, they my be a little more incline to make things happen which will improve their life's and the life's of everyone else.
Thanks for reading.
Time to give the United Nation the boot out of the USA. It is just not fair and discriminates against the rest of the world. Here is why.
With the United Nations in the USA and specifically in New York City, the delegates lose perspective. They are living in a relatively safe, comfortable environment. There is no real stress on their lives. And, in most cases, they are living in far better situations than their home country.
I am not saying the UN needs to move around like a gypsy caravan. But if they stay in any place longer then say 10 years, those morons become super morons.
If the UN was located in a place were there is a real threat to life and limb, I think these so called "Representatives of the People" may be a little more inclined to make that part of the world a better place.
For the love of God, people are getting beheaded by ISIS over in the Arab country's. What is the UN doing about it? I would tell you if I knew, but it seems like nothing. They are just hang around The Russian Tea Room saying:
Delegate #1 "Oh my, these beheadings are really a terrible thing"
Delegate #2 "I could not agree more. Please pass the chips"
D1 "Certainly. So someone should make a stand and put ISIS in their place"
D2 "Yes, you are right. If you catch the waiters eye, please wave him over. We need more wine"
D1 "I see him. Excuse me. My friend and I would both like another bottle of your finest red wine. And please bring fresh glasses"
D2 "Excellent idea! And do not worry about ISIS, I am sure that the USA or Jordan will take some type of action"
Now if these two tinkle berry's were eating roasted rat, drinking putrid water and using their left hand to wipe there rear ends after a bathroom run, they my be a little more incline to make things happen which will improve their life's and the life's of everyone else.
Thanks for reading.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Get Ready! This Will Not End Well
So, it happened again. The Liberal "Spin" machine was put into action and Obama was re-elected president. Just proves that people are:
1. Lazy. (Both those who take AND those that give willingly and/or reluctantly)
2. Stupid/Gullible.
3. Ignorant.
Let me explain.
Lazy: There are a whole mess of people out there who have their hand out (Takers). And we the people keep putting money in their hands. I doubt a that the Taker folks actually voted. I would bet good money that unless the polling site is within the same proximity (eye sight) of the Social Services office or the like, they do not know where the place is. I doubt they are looking around on the way to get their Booze/Food/Drugs. Besides, they do not have to do a thing! Just stand there with their hand out. Lazy.
Then there is another group of people who feel that to some extend or another an individual should help out those less fortunate These are the Givers. They do not want to be criticized or accused of being heartless. So they go with the flow. Besides "... what difference does it make?? " Lazy.
Stupid/Gullible: Stupid is more of those newer voters who really do not know which end is up because mom and dad pay for everything Hell, they always got a "trophy" for participating even if they came in last place. They think everyone should be entitled. The gullible ones are those who "... we really should give Obama some more time. It took more then 4 years to get into this mess that the republicans made ..." Give me a break. You asses! remember Bill Clinton, you know... the guy who started banking deregulating. The founder of no income verification mortgages because "...every one should be able to buy a home..." I can only wonder how many participation trophies he has. Anyway, you are stupid and gullible if you really did not think you had to pay back that money you borrowed for you house / car / boat / whatever.
Ignorant: This is self explanatory if you listen to any of the Howard Stern "man on the street" interviews. Even so, anyone who said "why do the rich pay less tax then me! Why does Romney pay 14% tax rate and I pay 20%?" Bad news here folks. You pay less then Mitt Romney. And Warren Buffett does pay more tax than his secretary Lets go back to your youth.... Good old school and basic math. Lets say (in simple terms) your taxable income is $50,000 and your tax rate is 20%. So your tax is $10,000. Ouch! Now lets say Romney's taxable income is $10,000,000 ( I know I am light. Just trying to keep the math easy) and his tax rate is 14%. So his tax is $1,400,000! Double ouch! This is 130 times more then you pay. Is that fair? Does he get 130 times more benefit from the government then you? Are 130 more solders going to fight for him than will fight for you? Will he get 130 time the doctors then you? Should I go on?
So why will this not end well? Because at some point the people who are paying are going to say SCREW THIS and fight back. And when I say fight I mean fight... blood and guts and veins in the teeth kinda fighting! Most of these people believe in owning firearms and self defense. The other crowd, believe that the government should protect them. Here is some breaking news. Most of the people in the government who do the actual protecting, are members of the own firearms and self defense group. As we all no, self preservation wins out over all else. So no matter what, in the end, the Lazy - Stupid/Gullible - Ignorant people do not have much of a chance.
1. Lazy. (Both those who take AND those that give willingly and/or reluctantly)
2. Stupid/Gullible.
3. Ignorant.
Let me explain.
Lazy: There are a whole mess of people out there who have their hand out (Takers). And we the people keep putting money in their hands. I doubt a that the Taker folks actually voted. I would bet good money that unless the polling site is within the same proximity (eye sight) of the Social Services office or the like, they do not know where the place is. I doubt they are looking around on the way to get their Booze/Food/Drugs. Besides, they do not have to do a thing! Just stand there with their hand out. Lazy.
Then there is another group of people who feel that to some extend or another an individual should help out those less fortunate These are the Givers. They do not want to be criticized or accused of being heartless. So they go with the flow. Besides "... what difference does it make?? " Lazy.
Stupid/Gullible: Stupid is more of those newer voters who really do not know which end is up because mom and dad pay for everything Hell, they always got a "trophy" for participating even if they came in last place. They think everyone should be entitled. The gullible ones are those who "... we really should give Obama some more time. It took more then 4 years to get into this mess that the republicans made ..." Give me a break. You asses! remember Bill Clinton, you know... the guy who started banking deregulating. The founder of no income verification mortgages because "...every one should be able to buy a home..." I can only wonder how many participation trophies he has. Anyway, you are stupid and gullible if you really did not think you had to pay back that money you borrowed for you house / car / boat / whatever.
Ignorant: This is self explanatory if you listen to any of the Howard Stern "man on the street" interviews. Even so, anyone who said "why do the rich pay less tax then me! Why does Romney pay 14% tax rate and I pay 20%?" Bad news here folks. You pay less then Mitt Romney. And Warren Buffett does pay more tax than his secretary Lets go back to your youth.... Good old school and basic math. Lets say (in simple terms) your taxable income is $50,000 and your tax rate is 20%. So your tax is $10,000. Ouch! Now lets say Romney's taxable income is $10,000,000 ( I know I am light. Just trying to keep the math easy) and his tax rate is 14%. So his tax is $1,400,000! Double ouch! This is 130 times more then you pay. Is that fair? Does he get 130 times more benefit from the government then you? Are 130 more solders going to fight for him than will fight for you? Will he get 130 time the doctors then you? Should I go on?
So why will this not end well? Because at some point the people who are paying are going to say SCREW THIS and fight back. And when I say fight I mean fight... blood and guts and veins in the teeth kinda fighting! Most of these people believe in owning firearms and self defense. The other crowd, believe that the government should protect them. Here is some breaking news. Most of the people in the government who do the actual protecting, are members of the own firearms and self defense group. As we all no, self preservation wins out over all else. So no matter what, in the end, the Lazy - Stupid/Gullible - Ignorant people do not have much of a chance.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Get Off Barack Obama's Ass
My thought for today is.... everyone should get off Barack Obama's ass. I did not vote for him..... I do not like him as President. But whose fault is it that he is President? You and I know that it is our fault. The Democrats put this post turtle up and the Republicans put up the other two numb nuts. So let's face it.... Not much of a choice. Here lies the problem "Lousy Candidates". And this is understandable. Anyone with half a brain who does not have an ego the size of Texas is not going to run and be abused. Not much we can do about that. But here are some possible solutions.
1. Only citizens who are 18+ years of age and of sound mental capacity AND PAY TAXES can vote. If you only pay local taxes, you can only vote in local elections. You pay only state taxes, you can only vote in state elections. To vote for congress and the President you must pay federal taxes. If this was the case, I think that all those collage kids who voted for "change" would have been SOL.
2. All citizens who meet #1 MUST VOTE or pay a monetary fine. Nothing outrageous but it should be meaningful.... say $300.00. I think most people will find that they are willing to save $300.00 by spending an hour or less to vote. OK stop your whining. Voting is not that hard, especially with absentee ballots. Step up and be part of the solution. Of course there should be valid exclusions such as medical/sickness/injury. But not missing a train or stuck in traffic. Plan your life better or come up $300.
3. Have a "None of the Above" option on the ballot. If the "None of the Above" option takes more votes than those running...Oh boy! Start all over... right from the beginning with primaries. Do not pass go and do not collect $200! So you say who will be President while a new election is run and held. Very simple NO ONE. Let the House and Senate muck it up without the president hanging there as lightning rod for criticism. If this happens a few times, no one will be happy and maybe the parties will stop throwing crap up against the wall hoping something sticks. Additionally, you and I will give some serious consideration to who is running and stop voting for the "lesser of two evils".
Thanks for reading and keep your powder dry!
1. Only citizens who are 18+ years of age and of sound mental capacity AND PAY TAXES can vote. If you only pay local taxes, you can only vote in local elections. You pay only state taxes, you can only vote in state elections. To vote for congress and the President you must pay federal taxes. If this was the case, I think that all those collage kids who voted for "change" would have been SOL.
2. All citizens who meet #1 MUST VOTE or pay a monetary fine. Nothing outrageous but it should be meaningful.... say $300.00. I think most people will find that they are willing to save $300.00 by spending an hour or less to vote. OK stop your whining. Voting is not that hard, especially with absentee ballots. Step up and be part of the solution. Of course there should be valid exclusions such as medical/sickness/injury. But not missing a train or stuck in traffic. Plan your life better or come up $300.
3. Have a "None of the Above" option on the ballot. If the "None of the Above" option takes more votes than those running...Oh boy! Start all over... right from the beginning with primaries. Do not pass go and do not collect $200! So you say who will be President while a new election is run and held. Very simple NO ONE. Let the House and Senate muck it up without the president hanging there as lightning rod for criticism. If this happens a few times, no one will be happy and maybe the parties will stop throwing crap up against the wall hoping something sticks. Additionally, you and I will give some serious consideration to who is running and stop voting for the "lesser of two evils".
Thanks for reading and keep your powder dry!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
I Prefer Being the Hammer
As I was cutting the lawn the other day, I was thinking about some issues that are going on in my life. One has to do with my son and some of the things he has been dealing with. Lets be clear before I go any further. I love my kids. Would do anything for them. Period.
So, thinking about him I feel he is just not understanding how life works and were he fits in. Here is how I see it. You are either the Hammer or the Nail. This is not the same as being good or bad. When you compare these the relationship of the hammer and the nail too the world, there are a lot of similarities.
1. There are always more nails then hammers. So in life, there are always more of those who follow the those who lead.
2. Nails are important as are hammers. Each really cannot do much could without the other. Same for followers and leaders.
3. Good hammers and nails are valued to varying degrees. Bad hammers and nails are always discarded and left to rust away. Good people are valued to varying degrees. Bad people are shunned and avoided.
Here is were things start getting a little more one sided.
4. One is always looking for a particular hammer to do a particular job. And although one looks for nails, there are a usually whole bunch to choose from. Same in life. Certain leaders are needed for certain jobs. There is never a lack of followers / workers.
5. You will reuse a hammer over and over again. Once you use a nail, you really do not give it much thought. In life, people who are leaders will be involved in multiple projects and goings on. The followers for the most part do their one thing and do not experiment.
6. The hammer is the one that is hitting the nail. Leaders are usually on top giving the orders. When the job is done they move on. The followers are the ones doing the hard work that remains.
7. When I hammer is broken, it is usually repaired though not always. Sometimes it is thrown away or just left sitting somewhere. Not so much for the nail. If it breaks, it is dispensable and easily discarded.
8. If a nail is being stubborn, the hammer will keep hitting the nail. Sometime a BIGGER hammer is brought in (see 4#). The nail will usually yield to the hammer's will at some point or it bends/breaks. If it bends/breaks #7 will then apply. Leaders do not give up easily. If the follower does not follow he is left behind.
9. People take care of their hammers and deem them important. Nails on the other hand are easy to come by. People want to be with leaders and leaders get the most out of life. Followers are generally walked all over and sit on the side as life passes them by.
To sum it all up, one needs to choose to be the hammer or the nail. I Prefer Being the Hammer.
So, thinking about him I feel he is just not understanding how life works and were he fits in. Here is how I see it. You are either the Hammer or the Nail. This is not the same as being good or bad. When you compare these the relationship of the hammer and the nail too the world, there are a lot of similarities.
1. There are always more nails then hammers. So in life, there are always more of those who follow the those who lead.
2. Nails are important as are hammers. Each really cannot do much could without the other. Same for followers and leaders.
3. Good hammers and nails are valued to varying degrees. Bad hammers and nails are always discarded and left to rust away. Good people are valued to varying degrees. Bad people are shunned and avoided.
Here is were things start getting a little more one sided.
4. One is always looking for a particular hammer to do a particular job. And although one looks for nails, there are a usually whole bunch to choose from. Same in life. Certain leaders are needed for certain jobs. There is never a lack of followers / workers.
5. You will reuse a hammer over and over again. Once you use a nail, you really do not give it much thought. In life, people who are leaders will be involved in multiple projects and goings on. The followers for the most part do their one thing and do not experiment.
6. The hammer is the one that is hitting the nail. Leaders are usually on top giving the orders. When the job is done they move on. The followers are the ones doing the hard work that remains.
7. When I hammer is broken, it is usually repaired though not always. Sometimes it is thrown away or just left sitting somewhere. Not so much for the nail. If it breaks, it is dispensable and easily discarded.
8. If a nail is being stubborn, the hammer will keep hitting the nail. Sometime a BIGGER hammer is brought in (see 4#). The nail will usually yield to the hammer's will at some point or it bends/breaks. If it bends/breaks #7 will then apply. Leaders do not give up easily. If the follower does not follow he is left behind.
9. People take care of their hammers and deem them important. Nails on the other hand are easy to come by. People want to be with leaders and leaders get the most out of life. Followers are generally walked all over and sit on the side as life passes them by.
To sum it all up, one needs to choose to be the hammer or the nail. I Prefer Being the Hammer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)