[Public-list] Sobering lesson on inland boating, shaft seals, and hand-held VHF radios

[Mike Lehman]

This same exact thing happened to me a few years ago (except for the 
drowning part) - a buddy of mine was thinking about buying a 33' Trojan 
'boat show special'. The broker took us out for a test drive in the Chester 
River. Once we were in the middle of the river, I heard what sounded like 
rushing water and lifted the floor board on the after deck. A fountain of 
water shot up about 6-8' in the air. The water was coming from the stuffing 
box on the port engine. I lifted the other side and the same thing was 
happening from the starboard engine. We immediately looked for VHF radios 
(none on board) Bildge pumps and switches (none on board) life jackets (none 
on board) Charts (none on board) ... so we were gojng to sink in the middle 
of the river with no way to signal for help. We slowed the engines down to 
an idle, the flow slowed considerably, and we we able to limp back to the 
dock. By the time we got back the port engine was flooded with water and was 
out, the boat had a 15 degree heel and the water was inches fro the 
carbureator/distributor on the starboard engine. They saw us comming and 
readied the travel lift with plucked us out of the water immediately upon 
arrival. My favorite part was the comment by the salesman when we stepped 
ashore..."shall  we go to the office and write up the bill of sale?" I won't 
write my buddy's response, there may be children listening.



Mike Lehman
~~~_/)_/)~~_/)~~~




----Original Message Follows----
From: "Amy & David Swanson" <zira at bellsouth.net>
Reply-To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all <public-list at alberg30.org>
To: "Alberg 30 public list" <public-list at alberg30.org>
Subject: [Public-list] Sobering lesson on inland boating, shaft seals,and 
hand-held VHF radios
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2006 07:57:01 -0500

All -

This link :

http://www.towndock.net/boatdeliverydeath_update5.html

points to a story about a 35 foot offshore sport fishing boat that sank in 
my local boating area a week or so ago.  The boat was brand new, being 
delivered to the Miami boat show.  It sank on a body of water not unlike the 
Chesapeake, in sight of land, with the top of the boat under only 4 feet of 
water.  The delivery crew of 2 drowned without ever making contact with the 
Coast Guard.  No one new the boat had gone down until the bodies washed up 
on shore a few days later.  It really shows how fast a boat can go down, how 
dangerous even "protected" water can be, and how important good 
communication equipment is.

David Swanson
Strayaway Child
Alberg 30 #229
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