Homosassa Flotilla Crew Rescues Stranded Tourists

By Shemir Wiles with the Citrus County Chronicle (http://www.chronicleonline.com)

Away from the hustle and bustle of Gainesville, John Davis and his wife, Susan, decided to enjoy a pleasant spring morning out last month on the Gulf in their somewhat new boat.

“We thought everything was going to be perfect,” Davis said.

Then the unexpected happened.

After just receiving the one-year service on their boat, the engine malfunctioned. Davis said the man who put the engine back together failed to properly align the gears. Therefore, the engine was running, but the propeller wouldn’t budge.
A boater passing by saw Davis and his wife were in distress and told them he would call in for assistance. In the meantime, Davis said he called the Magic Manatee Marina to try to receive instructions on how to fix the engine himself. In the midst of trying to figure out how to get moving again, the USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 15-4 out of Homosassa approached their immobilized boat.

In an e-mail from Mrs. Davis, she said flotilla members Ted Berg, Bill Rea and Jack Sparling not only tried to set the engine into gear manually, they radioed in the boat’s position and details about their problem. For more than two hours, the men stayed with the Davis’ and continued radio contact with their base.

However, with the combination of heat and stress, Davis said he started to feel poorly.

“He was a little shaky,” said Berg, who has been a member of the flotilla for 10 years.

Davis, who is diabetic, didn’t have his medication with him on the boat. Davis said they had planned for their outing to be short, so he left his medication in the car.

As Davis began to feel light-headed, Berg said he gave Davis a couple of pieces of peppermint to help with his blood sugar, which helped for a while. But Davis said he knew eventually, he was going to need his medication.

The men then radioed the Yankeetown Coast Guard station and asked for immediate assistance to tow the boat due to Davis’ urgent health concerns. After hooking up the disabled boat to their boat, the men began heading toward Magic Manatee Marina.

Davis said what bothered him the most during their trip back was that some boaters didn’t obey the flotilla boat’s flashing light and the calls from the men to slow down. He said some people would slow their speed, but others wouldn’t. In Mrs. Davis’ e-mail, she said she and her husband watched with fear as speeding boaters created large wakes that swamped the men.

“It was frustrating for me to see boaters act like that,” Davis said.

Nevertheless, Mr. and Mrs. Davis, along with the flotilla crew, made it to the marina without incident and Davis was able to take his medication.

“They were great,” Davis commended. “I think what they do is tremendous for the community.”
However, Berg said it’s just a part of the job.

“It was normal activity for the Coast Guard auxiliary,” he said.

The USCG auxiliaries are staffed by volunteers. Elaine Miranda, public education officer for the Homosassa flotilla, said tons of training goes into becoming a patrolman and even more training goes into being a coxswain (skipper).

Mrs. Davis stated that it was amazing for her to see these men, who work for no pay or reward, risk their lives and help them in the manner they did.

Davis said he tried to give money to the auxiliary, but they are not allowed to take charitable donations. So Davis said he thought telling his story would be the perfect way to give them the thanks and recognition they deserve.

“I can’t say enough,” Davis said. “What a great group of guys.”

Berg appreciates the recognition, saying that a few people don’t appreciate their presence out on the water Saturdays and Sundays. But he said most boaters do and that’s what keeps him going.

Flotilla 15-04 Public Education Schedule for September, October, and November 2009

- September 12 and 19 : About Boating Safely – 2 Sessions – Sat. 9 am-1:30 pm.

- October 5 and 8 : Suddenly in Command – 2 Sessions – Mon. & Thu. 7 pm-9 pm.

- October 19 and 22 : All About Charts – 2 Sessions – Mon & Thu 7 pm-9 pm.

- November 14 and 21 : About Boating Safely – 2 Sessions – Sat. 9 am-1:30 pm.

* Inquiries to Elaine Miranda at 352-564-2521 or Al Hepner 352-795-9875.

May 2009 - Safe Boating Weekl

Kathy and Bill Maurer manning our Flotilla’s booth at Wal-Mart on Sunday, May 17, 2009, as part of National Safe Boating Week.

January 2009 - Flotilla members on Patrol

Flotilla members on Patrol on Ray Koeppel's boat.

Coast Guard stops 4 unsafe passenger vessel operations

YANKEETOWN, Fla. – Boarding team members from Coast Guard Station Yankeetown stopped four unsafe passenger vessels operating on the Crystal River, Fla., and in the vicinity of Homosassa, Fla., Dec. 29, through Dec. 31, 2008.

During random safety boardings, crewmembers discovered two commercial vessels operated by Stadt Aquatic Adventures operating with more than their maximum allowable passengers. Additionally, Yankeetown crews discovered that the captain of the second vessel failed to properly report a marine casualty involving one of its main engines. The Coast Guard terminated both voyages for the safety infractions and will seek civil penalties against Stadt Aquatic Adventures. The Coast Guard will also pursue action to suspend the captains’ licenses for failing to comply with proper safety procedures.

Two commercial passenger vessels were boarded in Homosassa, Wednesday, by a boarding team from Station Yankeetown and were also found to be operating in an unsafe manner. The first vessel was operating with more than its six allowable passengers and without the required number of fire extinguishers and personal floatation devices. Additionally, the operator was not enrolled in a drug-testing program as required by federal law. The second vessel was also cited for operating with more than its six allowable passengers and failing to have a drug-testing program. Both voyages were terminated and the Coast Guard will seek civil penalties and suspension of the operator’s licenses.

"Coast Guard regulations require all commercial inspected vessels carrying more than six passengers to successfully pass a rigorous safety inspection to obtain a Certificate of Inspection," said Coast Guard Lt. Matt Dooris, Sector St. Petersburg senior investigating officer. "The safety certificate attests to the vessel’s compliance with established structural stability, lifesaving, firefighting and navigational standards, as well as safe operating conditions and crew competencies."

The Coast Guard, in concert with state and local partners, actively investigates all reports of unsafe passenger vessel operations, imposing civil or criminal penalties where appropriate.

Mariners who anticipate being a passenger on a vessel carrying more than six paying passengers, should ensure the vessel has satisfactorily passed a Coast Guard safety inspection before the voyage. To verify that this requirement has been satisfied, ask to see the vessel’s Certificate of Inspection, or Coast Guard Safety decal aboard the vessel.

Owners and operators who want to carry more than six paying passengers must receive a Coast Guard safety inspection by the local Officer In Charge of Marine Inspection. To schedule an appointment for a vessel operating on Florida’s west coast, please call (813) 228-2191, Ext. 8122.

December 2008 - Recent ABC Safe Boating Course

Students from the Gulf Coast Academy are shown the 25 ft RIB by two Petty Officers from STA Yankeetown.