Captain Bob And Grouper Soon we were along side a 22 or 23 foot outboard powered boat that was overturned and partially submerged. The outboard appeared to be a motor of 125 or 150 horsepower and was attached to the boats transom. If the ocean had not been so calm or it had been an overcast day, I doubt if we would have seen the sunlight reflecting from the bottom of the small craft. Circumstances were in our favor or perhaps not if there were people trapped beneath the vessel. When Frank and I first reaIized it was an over turned boat, we discussed the question about survivors. We were now faced with the reality of the situation, was anybody trapped under the boat or perhaps somewhere in the vicinity floating in lifevests. As much as Frank I hated the probability, it was obvious that one of us must enter the water to find out. Somehow the gruesome task befell me, mainly because I feIt more responsibility and I was the one that volenteered! |
With a long handled gaff I fished the bow line, stiII attached to the over turned boat, out of the water. After seeing that the nylon rope was firmly secured to the over turned boat's bow, I attached it to a stern cleat on our boat, allowing about twenty feet of slack line. Stripped down to my shorts I found my diving mask and prepared to enter the water. Frank was instructed to engage the forward gear on our boat's engine to keep clear of the submerged boat. I handed him the gaff and told him to pound on the deck of our boat if he saw any toothy critters in the water. With my heart in my mouth, I slipped over the side. I had no idea of what I was about to find, and began to have qualms as to why I was doing this! I was thankful that the water was so clear, at least Frank could see down into the depths and warn me so I wouldn't be a snack for a hungry shark! In a few seconds I was under the over turned boat. To my relief there was no sign of any human form in the cockpit area. It was necessary to return to the surface for more air before I could look into the boats forward compartment. After a couple more gulps of air I returned to check the front of the boat, I was ecstatic, there was nothing there but a couple of live preservers! When I was satisfied no person or animal had perished, I returned to my boat. Frank helped me on board and in between gulps of air, I told him of my findings. I explained that there were still life jackets on board, as well as several Iife preserver cushions. The small boat appeared to have been stripped. There was no navigation equipment, radios, or depth finder on the boat, only a compass attached to the console. No loose gear was on board other than the life saving equipment. AII this seemed rather strange for a vessel that far out to sea. After speculation as to the how and why this boat was doing some twenty miles out in the Atlantic Ocean without any occupants, Frank and I got around to what to do now? |
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