Short recess report for Sat 9/29

[Frank Stachowiak]

Trolled at the south gap, out into the lake and alongside the windmills. Nada. Motored to the USCG base and trolled toward the white lighthouse.  Heard and then saw Excalibur fast aground in the middle reefs. They had 20 kids on board, probably most were special needs. They were calling the USCG giving their position as between the Ward Pumping Station and the water intake.  CG wanted GPS coordinates. They kept going back and forth giving directions and asking questions.  You know me, I had to interject.  I got  through on my radio and suggested the CG operator check a chart and find the Middle Reefs. The CG told Excalibur to anchor.  Again I had to pipe in to advise against that as they were hard aground with the stern against the current. Anchoring could cause them to swamp if they broke loose and were anchored off the stern. Then the USCG boat arrived near us and we pointed to Excalibur. Now, 20 minutes later they were asked if all had PFD's.  They said were getting that taken care of. They were asked if they were taking on water.  We'll check, was the answer.  Now, this started to sound like a Seinfeld episode. There were calls to Boat USA towing service.  Also about ten minutes that excalibur was not responding to USCG radio calls. My assessment of the situation: the Excalibur Captain knows didly about operating a 30' boat. Then to everyone's surprise, we heard  "It's OK, were free, see ya!"  

After that fiasco, we trolled down the mouth of the river. The green Ontario buoy offf limekiln reef was apparently hit by a boat as the top part was missing.  Only the base, about 36" long by 5" high is afloat. I called OPP when I got home to report it and it took 20 minutes to get the right agency to talk to me only to advise that they knew about it and were going to fix it Monday or Tuesday. That helps all except those boating in the are before it is fixed.  At night, it will be invisible.

 

No fish, a little excitement, and a good deed. Not a bad day, I guess.

[Frank Stachowiak]

last line:  in the area

[Carrie Keane]

Good deeds are great Musky karma!!!! I bet you get one next time out!