Big Rock boat distress - The Hull Truth

robbiedon · 06-15-2009, 08:06 PM

On the thread about the boat capsized in the inlet there was some posting about the "Instigator Incident" In order to not hijack that thread any further I wanted to start one about that incident. This is a quote from the article I read in the Carteret Times.

"While the fishing day wound down for many, one boat Aquasabi, showed the positive spirit of the tournament when a fellow Big Rock fishing vessel, Instigator, a 43-foot Post owned by Jerry and Elaine Satterfield of Mooresville, developed sudden engine problems and needed help.
The eight people onboard the vessel were required to abandon ship near the R-14 Knuckle Buoy off Cape Lookout when the boat’s engine overheated, causing the Halon System to go off and douse the engines with fire retardant foam.
When Satterfield radioed for help, the Coast Guard responded and requested any boats in the area to assist the vessel in trouble.
Aquasabi, a 28-foot Carolina Classic from Smyrna owned by Mark Scholer, responded and gave aid. In their quest to assist the Instigator, the Aquasabi captain and crew were unable to weigh any gamefish a junior angler had caught in the boat’s final day of fishing in the Big Rock"

I was at my house in Beaufort working on my boat and I had the VHF on listening to the Big Rock happenings. I put the radio on scan for a minute and I heard the Coast Guard on channel 22 ask the Instigator if all the folks on the boat had life vests on in case the fire started again in the engines. I was particularly interested because I know Bob Lucas on the other Instigator. I didn't know which Instigator it was until I read the article in the paper. Hats off to the captain and crew of Aquasabi!!!

ScottK · 06-15-2009, 08:31 PM

We are all we have out there, I agree, the Aquasabi are true stewards of the sport!

bluewaterpirate · 06-16-2009, 06:22 AM

of the Aquasabi ...... a great lesson in the unwritten rules of seamanship!

markm · 06-16-2009, 07:00 AM

The actions of the Aquasabi were nothing less than heroic. Halon is some nasty stuff to breathe and is only a good thing in an actual fire. I am proud to share the same port as the Aquasabi and am proud that a fellow NC boater acted in a way that should be an example to all boaters everywhere. Salute Aquasaibi and crew.
MM

Freeebird · 06-16-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbiedon

On the thread about the boat capsized in the inlet there was some posting about the "Instigator Incident" In order to not hijack that thread any further I wanted to start one about that incident. This is a quote from the article I read in the Carteret Times.

"While the fishing day wound down for many, one boat Aquasabi, showed the positive spirit of the tournament when a fellow Big Rock fishing vessel, Instigator, a 43-foot Post owned by Jerry and Elaine Satterfield of Mooresville, developed sudden engine problems and needed help.
The eight people onboard the vessel were required to abandon ship near the R-14 Knuckle Buoy off Cape Lookout when the boat’s engine overheated, causing the Halon System to go off and douse the engines with fire retardant foam.
When Satterfield radioed for help, the Coast Guard responded and requested any boats in the area to assist the vessel in trouble.
Aquasabi, a 28-foot Carolina Classic from Smyrna owned by Mark Scholer, responded and gave aid. In their quest to assist the Instigator, the Aquasabi captain and crew were unable to weigh any gamefish a junior angler had caught in the boat’s final day of fishing in the Big Rock"

I was at my house in Beaufort working on my boat and I had the VHF on listening to the Big Rock happenings. I put the radio on scan for a minute and I heard the Coast Guard on channel 22 ask the Instigator if all the folks on the boat had life vests on in case the fire started again in the engines. I was particularly interested because I know Bob Lucas on the other Instigator. I didn't know which Instigator it was until I read the article in the paper. Hats off to the captain and crew of Aquasabi!!!

So that's where the fire story came into play. We missed hearing about that one Saturday, but it looks like the tournament officials would have made an exception on allowing them to weigh their fish given the circumstances.

for the Aquasabi crew.

for the Big Rock officials.

JB2C · 06-16-2009, 12:05 PM

I never heard that the Big Rock officials were ever asked to make an exception. And even if they were, where do you draw the line? Fire? Storm/bad conditions? Engine or transmission problems? Assisting another boat with problems? Running aground? If you start allowing exceptions, then the guy who is in first place gets upset when he gets knocked off the leader board, as it's not really fair to him. And if you make one exception, you open the door for more people to ask for and expect to receive an exception. It's the popular thing to do in cases like this, but it can also be very problematic for the committee. I'd rather see them recognize those that show sportsmanship by helping in situations like this, and recognize them at the awards banquet. Doesn't have to be a yearly award, but they could have a contingency to account for these situations. Those that help others win alot more than money... they win the respect of fellow competitors and the fishing community.

Freeebird · 06-16-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB2C

I never heard that the Big Rock officials were ever asked to make an exception. And even if they were, where do you draw the line? Fire? Storm/bad conditions? Engine or transmission problems? Assisting another boat with problems? Running aground? If you start allowing exceptions, then the guy who is in first place gets upset when he gets knocked off the leader board, as it's not really fair to him. And if you make one exception, you open the door for more people to ask for and expect to receive an exception. It's the popular thing to do in cases like this, but it can also be very problematic for the committee. I'd rather see them recognize those that show sportsmanship by helping in situations like this, and recognize them at the awards banquet. Doesn't have to be a yearly award, but they could have a contingency to account for these situations. Those that help others win alot more than money... they win the respect of fellow competitors and the fishing community.

I don't know that officials were asked about this, but I can only assume they were based on the comment about not being able to weigh the fish. As best I remember, a race boat in offshore competition is not penalized for stopping to help a fellow racer where risk of life is involved. Seems that would be fair here as well.

No doubt there would be some who may try to take advantage of such a rule, but when the Coast Guard can back up the story, it should be easy enough for officials to make the call. Sometimes these guys have a lot of money at stake, and they shouldn't have to decide whether it's worth somebody's life to be able to weigh their catch in time. Just my 2 cents.

JB2C · 06-16-2009, 04:12 PM

Not completely disagreeing with you Freebird. Just thought you came on a little strong against the Big Rock officials when I had not heard that they had even been asked to make an exception.

Having seen some of the tings that have happened in the past, and considering all the things that could occur, I just think making an exception starts getting into muddy water. If something such as this is addressed and allowed for in the rules, up front, then that's great. No argument there at all. But making an exception to any of the rules after the captain's meeting is risky business.

Regardless, kudos to the Aquasabi team.

Freeebird · 06-16-2009, 04:41 PM

You're right JB, I did come on a bit strong and jumped to conclusions. It just isn't fair that these guys were penalized for doing the right thing in helping those whose lives were in danger.

robbiedon · 06-16-2009, 08:04 PM

These situations have come up before where a boat missed a weigh in and in one case an entire day of fishing to assist another boat. To my knowledge there has never been any accomodation made to the boat that came to assist a distressed boat. That would probably be a can of worms best left closed. I don't think any Captain has ever asked for any accomodation. I think all the Captains know the rules and they all also know that they would want the assistance if they were in trouble. No amount of money could ever erase the knowlege that you could have helped save lost lives if you hadn't decided to weigh in a fish. Not to assist would be morally reprehensible, and totally disregard the laws of the sea. I believe that as a licensed Captain you are obligated to offer assitance if possible. The ocean is a big place and we all have to look out for each other out there.

Again Hats off the Aquasabi and her crew. Hopefully their good deed will be rewarded in another situation.

SeaNile Boater · 06-17-2009, 10:59 AM

The Instigator's problems were caused by the Turbo Charger's bracket that held it to the manifold broke. They never abandoned ship but the salon and bildge were covered by the Halon and his engines will both have to be rebuilt. The Aquasabi Captain was a friend of his and located about a half mile away when the smoke began. From a distance it looked as if the boat was on fire. Actually, once he powered down the engines the smoke cleared.
This couldn't have happened to an nicer guy. We all hope he will have better luck next year.
Very unfortunate situation