THINK YOU’LL NEVER NEED THIS??

SO DID THESE FOLKS – -!

WINTER FISHING CAN BE CHALLENGING ENOUGH – MAKE LIFE SIMPLER – “Hook-up” with TOWING YOU CAN TRUST And BOATU.S.  ANGLER

The last day of the year was closed out with 2 “DRIFT AWAY” cases.  We had a Sunny & Warm New Year’s Eve, with temperatures in the mid 60′s but winds were running WSW @ 15-20 with gusts to 40 mph.  The combination of “warm” / “cold” weather contrasts along with high winds usually results in a fair number of “DRIFT AWAY’S”, where Boat Lifts leak down and the vessel is not secured to the dock – - so it decides to leave home – -  ONCE AGAIN AS BEFORE -

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

THIS YAMA PWC DRIFTED ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM HOME AFTER LIFT LEAK DOWN –  AGAINST SHORE AND DOCK CABLES – - MINOR DAMAGE

THIS REGAL DRIFTED OFF AFTER LIFT LEAKED DOWN – - DRIFTED OVER A MILE ACROSS THE LAKE FROM THE SUNRISE BEACH SIDE TO HORSESHOE BEND AND CAME TO REST AGAINST BREAKWATER

The “Queen” moored, Hannibal, Missouri August, 2007

The “QUEEN” is NOT dead – “Long live the Queen”
Thanks to Capt Richard R.. – Bitter End Blog, on 12/19 – I caught this -

The LA Times is reporting:  December 14, 2011

American Queen steamboat will be rollin’ on the river again

The American Queen, the largest steamboat ever built, will return to the Mississippi River with cruises starting in April. The re-created riverboat that had ended service in 2008 returns under new management and with onboard entertainment and historians to keep it lively.

The complete LA Times post by Mary Forgione is here.

In August of 2007, Laura and I took grandson Ryan Dubinski on a day trip to Hannibal, MO, while touring Hannibal and doing the “Mark Twain” thing we were fortunate enough to find the “QUEEN” making a stop on the Hannibal waterfront.  She was an awesome sight to see up close and we would loved to have made a “cruise”.  She was taken out of service in 2008, but looks like she has been revived – -  Maybe we can still make that trip – -

Hannibal waterfront August 2007

Laura, Ryan and some sailor – -

On a recent cold weather call – - Our 24 ft X USCG Justice Class TowBoat had a close encounter of the best kind – - It seems that Santa just happened to be making a pre-Christmas test flight near the state park in the Glaize Arm  - his sleigh appeared to be grossly overloaded and there was no doubt he would soon be making an unscheduled water landing – the look of panic in the struggling Reindeer eyes was easily read by our Towboat Captain.  He carefully maneuvered the TowBoat under the slowly descending sleigh and as the runners touched down on the deck of the TowBoat, the Reindeer were able to compose themselves and stay just off the water as the TowBoat supported the heavy sleigh.  Santa said not a word, but looked at our captain with a huge grin and twinkling eye – - He motioned to two panicked elves who were cowering in the back of the sleigh and directed them to offload some objects from the sleigh – - Twin VERADO 200′s were quickly dropped on the deck – - Santa gave the reins a slight tap – looked back and waved as the Reindeer quickly ascended with the now much lighter sleigh – BELIEVE! – MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

IN MEMORY, 70 YEARS – DAY OF INFAMY
I POSTED THIS STORY BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2009 – - DECIDED TO RUN IT AGAIN-
The US Coast Guard Cutter Taney is one of seven Treasury/Secretary-class cutters built for the Coast Guard in the Mid-1930s. Home ported in Honolulu, Hawaii beginning in 1937, Taney was attached to Destroyer Division 80 in the summer of 1941 and was in action against Japanese planes during the Pearl Harbor attack. Of the 101 U.S. fighting ships present in Hawaiian waters on 7 December 1941, Taney is the only one afloat today.

Known as “The Queen of the Pacific,” Taney was home ported in Alameda, CA, from 1946 to 1972 carrying out ocean weather patrol, law enforcement and search and rescue duties. During 1969-70, the cutter was assigned to Coast Guard Squadron III off South Vietnam where she helped interdict the flow of arms along the coast, fired over 3400 rounds of 5/38 ammunition in naval gunfire support missions, and provided medical assistance to over 5,000 South Vietnamese civilians.
Transferred to Little Creek, VA and later Portsmouth, VA, in 1972, Taney completed the last Coast Guard ocean weather patrol in 1977, and from 1977 to 1986 carried out search and rescue duties, training cruises for the Coast Guard Academy, and drug interdiction in the Caribbean. In one 1985 drug bust Taney seized a record 160 tons of marijuana. Decommissioned on 7 December 1986, she is displayed in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor along with USS Torsk and Lightship 116.

Today this 24ft Cobalt was adrift on the lake near the 4 mile marker and the Water Patrol asked us to pick it up and locate the owners and give them the good news – - Once again – - if you“Keep’eth thy Boat on a lift“??

TOWBOAT COMPANY FEATURED IN “APPLE” BUSINESS - 

Passing on a notice we just received from TOWBOATU.S.
BoatU.S. reports:  A Voluntary recall of certain inflatable PFD’s 
This recall is being issued for the inspection and repair of an inflator installation inconsistency that may prevent some units from fully inflating.


This recall notification is for only the MD2010 and MD2012 22LB buoyancy inflatable PFDs.  No other Mustang 

I haven’t been posting much lately as we have been on the road and things have really slowed down with both “boating” and of course the season ended at the farm as well – -  While headed back home, made a brief “rainy” day stop by TOWBOATU.S., Hopewell, Virginia. moorings.  City Point, the oldest part of Hopewell, was founded in 1613 by Sir Thomas Dale.  City Point is located on a bluff overlooking the James and Appomattox Rivers has been an important factor in Hopewell’s history for almost four centuries. TOWBOATU.S., Hopewell, VA is located at Jordan Point Marina just below the Benjamin Harris Bridge on the James River.  

TowBoatU.S. Hopewell, VA, Benjamin Harris Bridge in Background

It is that time of year again – - (not sure how it goes so fast) and we are in the Fall season – - I have to shift gears as we head for the farm and get ready for Fall Fun – - Our 10 acre corn maze this year is the FFA logo (FUTURE FARMERS of AMERICA, (Vocational Agriculture).  Our  on site pumpkin crop for this year was very poor due to heavy rains early, (4 inches plus, right after planting) and then near drought conditions up until last week.  NOT TO WORRY  - we will have PLENTY of pumpkins from one of our other farms. – - ONCE AGAIN, FOR THE GREAT PHOTO’S, We want to say, THANKS!  TO THE FOLKS AT:
Helisat Helicopter Flight Training, Maintenance & Service

PHOTO COURTESY OF HELISAT – Moscow Mills, MO

A combination of weather change, some dark nights, wind and a little to much to drink kept us pretty busy over the labor day weekend.  Friday was very quiet, but Saturday, Saturday night in to Sunday the pace picked up.  We had numerous routine tows which included three (3) BUI tows on Saturday evening and early Sunday morning.  Our featured jobs were:


1.  A 1988, 33 ft CRUISERS, sunk at the dock when the un-used Generator cooling line parted, flooding the vessel.

Our main feature recovery was eerily similar to a larger one from Fall of 2009 (See HERE)

This weekend produced a couple of quick early morning storms on Friday and Saturday with strong wind gusts, heavy rain and damaging some docks in the Lake Ozark area.  Saturday evening into early Sunday morning produced quite a number of BUI arrests for the State Water Patrol Troopers, with the last one being taken on a free ride in a Patrol Boat @ 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning – - – -

Large Dock @ Monarch Cove (2mm) had broken loose early Saturday morning.

The gangway to the above pictured dock was ripped away.

AS POSTED ON BITTER-END BLOG

COULD BE CATEGORIZED AS
“WHAT THE **** WERE YOU THINKIN”!

Extreme Racing Series, COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT, UK  AUGUST 6, 2011
The Marine Knutsen supertanker was being guided by a pilot boat into Southampton docks and was making its presence known by repeatedly sounding its horn. But one yacht didn’t seem to give itself enough time to clear the massive boat and was hit before having its mast and rigging ripped off when one of its sails got caught in the tanker’s anchor.

The yacht was quickly attended by several vessels offering assistance.


YACHT 0 – TANKER 1 
ME THINKS THE “PINK” SPINNAKER MADE A GOOD TARGET TO AIM AT – - -


THANKS TO BITTER END

DRIVER, MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL TROOPER JASON WORTHLEY WITH WATER PATROL DIVISION’S 2011 CAR #98  (Photo by LAKE EXPO)

Back on JULY 22 and JULY17, we posted the story and follow-up on the BATTLE OF THE BADGES RACE CAR (#98) that we helped sponsor. At the LAKE OZARK SPEEDWAY Race on July 24, Trooper Jason Worthley did a fine job and though he did not win - (had the race been on water, we would have taken the checkered flag for sure) –  Thanks to the efforts of ALL our Missouri Law Enforcement participants,  $38,895.00 dollars were raised for MISSOURI SPECIAL OYLMPICS! 

JULY 24, 2011, PHOTO COURTESY OF LAKE EXPO

THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS ON THE “MID-WEST COAST” HAVE BEEN HOT AND MUGGY, WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE 100′S.  WE HAVE ASSISTED NUMEROUS BOATERS DURING THIS HEAT WAVE AND BELOW IS JUST ONE OF OUR BOATU.S. MEMBERS WHO WAS VERY, VERY GLAD TO SEE US ON A 103 DEGREE AUGUST DAY.

FIRST ASSISTANCE CALL FOR 2011 (Jan 2, 2011) Sunk at Dock

JULY is usually our busiest month, last year (2010) we ran 85 assistance calls during the month.  FOR JULY 2011 we had a 7% increase in calls for a total of 91 cases.

On a different note: JULY is also the month in which we have the most BUI tows.  In JULY of 2010 we had a total of 13 BUI related tows, and by the end of JULY of 2010 we had accumulated a total of 30 BUI tows for the 2010 season.


JULY 2011 showed a dramatic DECREASE in both the monthly BUI tows, and the “year to date” total at the end of JULY.  We had only 5 BUI related tows this July, resulting in a whopping 60% drop over JULY 2010.  Also our “year to date” BUI total of 20 so far this year, results in a 1/3 decrease over the same time last year.


Based on our 2011 results so far, I would believe the total number of BUI arrests by the Missouri State Highway Patrol (Water Patrol Division) will also show a similar decrease – - – -

State Trooper #1285 meets with Lake Ozark FireBoat to review side scan sonar image

This Tuesday afternoon around 2:00 p.m. a possible ”Jumper” was reported on the Lake of the Ozarks Toll Bridge near the Porta-Cima side – -.  A motorist reported seeing a male subject jump off the bridge on the down stream (west) side close to Porta Cima.  They did not however; see if the “jumper” surfaced, made it to shore or was picked up by a boat – - ?  The “jump” part was fairly reliable, but afterwards was not – - a surface search by LAKE OZARK FD, Lake Ozark FireBoat#21, TOWBOATU.S. Point Young and TWO WATER PATROL OFFICERS turned up nothing.  Water Patrol commenced dragging operations in the area where the jumper may have landed, but the search was suspended pending further developments around 4:00 p.m. – -


ARTICLE IN LAKE NEWS ONLINE – HERE
“LAKE EXPO” article HERE

Water Patrol prepares to commence dragging operations

“BITTER END” BLOG, CAPTAIN Richard Rodriguez recalls:

FIFTY FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY – - THE LINER “ANDREA DORIA” SINKS AFTER BEING HIT BY THE LINER  “STOCKHOLM” – -

Cops from 26 agencies to race in the Battle of the Badges Saturday at Lake Ozark Speedway to raise money for Special Olympics

OFFICER WORTHLEY ON HIS OTHER JOB (See this story here)

BURNED OUT hulk of Runabout rests against sea wall near home that was also in danger of catching fire

This 1990 Ozark Runabout was a total loss after catching fire near a residential dock at the 9.8-mile marker. According to the Water Patrol, the fire broke out in the engine compartment about 12:22 p.m.   with 7 persons aboard, one passenger reported a minor injury, but refused treatment.

Burned and collapsed dock walkway

Slowly winching the hull aboard

Vessel aboard and ready for transport

TOWBOATU.S. LAKE OF THE OZARKS

IS NOW

Accredited For Commercial Assistance And Professional Towing

THERE’S MORE TO THE STORY!
MISSOURI STATE WATER PATROL TROOPERS – MORE THAN JUST “BUI’S” AND “TICKETS” -

Crewman Rick Anthony checking the tow length on our “prize” we just found abandoned

Last weekend the media briefly mentioned some “Boat Wake Injuries“.  It sounds quite routine, not to exciting.   The Official News Release about one particular incident from the Missouri State Highway Patrol (HERE) was, (as expected) pretty “Ho-Hum” and “Just the Facts _ _”.  Of course there were few witnesses to what really took place.  As usual,  the “letter’s” and “comments” on the various media “blogs” and “papers” continue to harp on “TO MUCH ENFORCEMENT!” “TO MANY BUI’S”, “WHY DON’T THEY LEAVE US ALONE – -” and on and on.  The above incident was a little more than routine – -.  As described in the release, a 43 year old woman had injured her back from being thrown in the air on a deck boat and landing back down on the boat hard enough to injure her back.  She had to have medical attention.  The boating traffic was extremely heavy in the area causing large waves, confused chop and a small local thunderstorm was developing with winds in excess of 25 mph.  Two State Patrol boats located the vessel carrying the woman who was in extreme pain and the officers were attempting to get the boat and woman to medical attention ashore as soon as possible.  One of the officer’s had to abandon his boat and be put aboard the deck boat to provide help to the woman.  They were going to attempt to cross the lake to the Lake Ozark side where medical attention could get to the woman quicker.  Due to rough water, they were unable to cross.  We were about a mile away and proceeded to assist.  On scene, we found the patrol boat, about 400 foot from shore in a 25 mph wind and drifting rapidly toward a rocky shore.  We hooked up and took the Patrol Boat in tow, meanwhile the Troopers and the distressed vessel made it to a dock on the SUNRISE BEACH side and were attending to the injured woman while waiting for FIRE & EMS to arrive.  The location would require the woman be carried up the bluff over 100 ft on a backboard.  TOWBOAT Crewman and Fire Fighter, Rick Anthony was dropped off to assist in getting the woman up the hill and to the ambulance.  This whole scenario took nearly an hour, after which the Troopers came back to drop off our crewman and retrieve their boat (Damn!)  - – This was not the first time we have gathered up drifting Patrol Boats due to emergency situations.  The Troopers are almost always “first on the scene” and don’t think twice about jumping in the water to assist someone in trouble or jumping aboard a boat to perform CPR and first aid.  It isn’t exactly a “Stellar” career move to abandon a rather expensive piece of equipment  which may wind up being a beach ornament or a very costly “crappie bed” – - but when a life, safety or injuries to others are at stake they don’t put themselves FIRST – -.  The next time your sitting down to write a comment about the “Enforcement” just remember;  One day, you may find yourself lying injured in the bottom of your boat or gasping for air, having been dumped in the water and looking in to the face of a TROOPER who is going to make EVERY EFFORT TO GET YOU TO SAFETY — WELL DONE GUYS!!  HATS OFF – -!

July 31, 2010, Lake of the Ozarks – This vessel exploded after re-fueling, Severely injuring the operator. (Photo by C. Meyer TowBoatU.S. Lake of the Ozarks

“One good sniff at gas dock may save a life” - BOATU.S. reports

It was the end to the Memorial Day weekend when a 32-foot motorboat with four persons aboard pulled up to the fuel dock. Moments later, after filling up, an explosion ripped through the boat – literally separating it into clamshell-like halves. In an instant a 25-year old woman was dead. All of the boat’s remaining four occupants as well as a fuel dock attendant were hospitalized.

Saddest of all, the accident may have been preventable. A newspaper reported that investigators found that the recently purchased used boat, which was being refueled by its new owner for the first time, may have had a fuel system gasket “give way,” or fail, which allowed gasoline fumes to escape and accumulate below decks. While the owner had properly turned the engine compartment blower on – a required procedure anytime a boat is refueled – not enough of the explosive fumes had been cleared before an engine backfire ignited the blast.

A simple sniff test may have prevented the tragedy, says Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). “While it appears the owner did the right thing by having the blower on to safely remove any fumes from the engine compartment area, he may not have performed the “sniff” test – lifting the engine compartment hatch in an attempt to smell any lingering gasoline fumes,” said Director of Damage Avoidance Bob Adriance. “Unlike a car, boats have fuel tanks and engines located in enclosed spaces which don’t allow gasoline vapors to escape. This accident shows how important it is do a sniff test every time a boat is refueled.”

BoatUS has these six refueling safety tips:

• Always remove passengers from the boat, and reboard only after refueling is complete and the engine(s) restarted.

• Engine should be turned off and do not operate any electrical switches, including the ignition.

Keep all doors, ports and hatches closed, and only open them when refueling is complete.

• To prevent unintentional sparking, hold hose nozzle firmly against fuel fill (and not a rod holder, water tank fill or holding tank, which happens more often than you think). Also don’t overfill.

• After refueling, ensure engine compartment blower runs for at least four minutes. This may delay others waiting to fill up, but it’s worth the wait.

• A quick sniff test takes only a few seconds and is the most effective method for detecting fuel leaks.

• Always open the engine bay hatch (if boat is equipped) and smell the bilge area as well as any closed compartments or interior spaces.

For more information on safe refueling, check out the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water’s online boating safety course study guide at www.BoatUS.com/foundation/refuel.

PHOTO BY C. MEYER, TOWBOATU.S. LAKE OF THE OZARKS

BOATU.S. RELEASES HINTS AND CAUTIONS FOR THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY WEEKEND:

CAUTION, CAUTION, CAUTION!
The entire Press release from BOATU.S. can be read HERE
THESE PHOTO’S WERE TAKEN BY TOWBOATU.S. ON LAKE OF THE OZARKS FROM INCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE URGE YOU TO USE EXTRA PLUS CAUTION WHEN BOATING AT NIGHT.  BOATU.S. INDICATES THAT THE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND AND ESPECIALLY AFTER FIREWORKS DISPLAYS WILL BE ONE OF THE FEW TIMES MANY BOATERS NAVIGATE AT NIGHT – - – - – PLEASE READ THE RELEASE AND TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS THIS WEEKEND AND EVERY TIME YOUR ON THE WATER!!!

Operator (orange pfd)  of Pontoon boat just taken in to custody after having failed a field Sobriety check, and no other persons aboard that qualified as “Sober’s”, the vessel will be towed to safe mooring or impounded -

This Saturday evening’s, broad daylight, Sobriety checkpoint in the mouth of Anderson Hollow Cove (Party Cove) netted quite a number of BUI’s. 

WIN AN AWESOME FISHING TRIP
With MARK ZONA 
AND $1,000.00 !!
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS GREAT DEAL!
JOIN BOATU.S. ANGLER BY JULY 31, 2011

CHECK IT OUT RIGHT HERE!

Even though fuel prices are dropping a bit – - we still try to find the most efficient and cost effective way of moving boats around.  In this case we were lucky to have two boats being taken to the same shop for repairs – - – so by “Bundling”, we could reduce some of the associated costs and time in getting this job done.  ”Tandem” tows are not rare, we often have occasions where we pick up more than one “stranded” boater on the water, with one already in tow, but the opportunity for a “planned” tandem tow doesn’t come up that often.

This week has been steady, with mostly routine tows and very little excitement – -  thus this post -

“COOPER” gets caught and gets a “T” Shirt!!

Cooper Corley (age 6), son of Scott and Wendy Corley of O’Fallon, Missouri, GOT CAUGHT wearing his lifejacket this Thursday afternoon by Trooper Jason Worthley of the Missouri State Water Patrol.

Phone: 573-216-4701 Email: laketow2@aol.com

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety & Clean Water began distributing kits to sites across the nation in 1998 and it’s been growing ever since. There are now over 350 loaner sites nationwide, which loan our jackets more than 90,000 times a year!

One of the program’s goals is to educate boaters on the significance of wearing the appropriate size and type of life jacket while boating. Another is to make sure a day of boating isn’t spoiled just because a family forgot a life jacket at home. And finally, the most important goal: simply to keep kids safe out on the water! The program is funded in part by donations from the more than half a million members of BoatUS.

QUITE OFTEN PEOPLE GRIPE ABOUT HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS FOR A DIVER TO COME OUT AND WORK ON (OR FREE) YOUR BOAT (Many times in the middle of a busy channel) – -

Last post,  (HERE) we talked about a 37ft Cruiser that was hung up on a Wave Break Anchor line and had wrapped both props up over Memorial Day.  HERE IS THE REST OF THE STORY -

Until we reviewed the video from the boat “Dash Cam”, we hadn’t realized the BOAT OWNER had actually waived the Water Patrol Trooper over to his boat, KNOWING the diver was just below his stern!
The Trooper thought the Diver was out of the water and came over.  We were off the bow of the Cruiser working with the tow line and were TOTALLY SHOCKED to see the Patrol Boat coming right over the top of our Diver!!  We blew the horn and told him to “back off” and as you will see, diver pops to surface just after the Patrol Boat backs away.  NOTE:  We have removed some of the audio “expletives” with the “FOGHORN” to keep this “G” rated – -

LESSONS LEARNED – NEVER TAKE YOUR EYES OFF YOUR DIVER AND DON’T EXPECT YOUR BOAT OPERATORS TO HAVE ANY SENSE!

2011 MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND REPORT:
The Memorial Day weekend was pretty much un-eventful for us.  We logged about 18 total Assist calls, which included 5 BUI tows, one minor taking on water and one 37ft Sea Ray which picked up about 50 foot of 3 inch, “Wave Break” anchor line which had parted and floated to surface.  The line was floating on the surface in the high traffic main channel, still attached to the wave break anchor which weighs a few thousand pounds.  Unable to see the line in the rough water, the Sea Ray ran over it and fouled both props,  firmly attaching him to the Anchor.  We brought Diver Tim McNitt (ATLANTIS DIVE)  to the scene, where he went down about 40 ft to cut the line (to avoid another vessel running over it).  Tim reported the line was firmly fouled on both props and water was to rough for him to safely attempt to cut it out.  We towed vessel to Marine Max for haul-out and inspection.

DIVER MCNITT SURFACES FROM 40FT BELOW AFTER CUTTING WAVE BREAK ANCHOR LINE TO FREE CRUISER

Our only other excitement was my first High Speed Tow (HST) for this season.  Towing a 17 ft Lowe for about 4 miles to its home dock Monday afternoon.  The water was pretty calm and most folks had headed home.  We took this one down the turnpike at 27.3 MPH.  (See short (poor) video below also view from our on board rear view camera).  We were running in the commuter lane for this one!! -

I posted this just to give you an idea of how desperate we were for something to talk about  - – To make matters worse – - this past weekend (June 3,4,5th) was EVEN MORE boring with only 2 assists for the weekend!! –  HAPPY BOATING!!

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning