A Life Lesson

By: Jamie H.

Early one Tuesday morning, while on my way to work, I received a phone call from a dear friend at the marina that I will not soon forget.

With sadness and fear in her voice, she explained that her husband did not return to the boat and she was afraid that he was somewhere injured or possibly in the water. She then asked, ‘What do I do?’.  I asked if the vehicle was in the parking lot and she verified that it was still in the parking lot. I advised her to call the Sheriff’s Office immediately and to keep me posted. I also told her to call me if she needed me. I felt in my heart that I needed to be with her for support.

At this point, my heart sunk. I reverted back to my 11 + years as a Marine Police Officer and the many water search & rescues and recoveries throughout my career. It was very different for me this time. The missing person was not only a caring husband, father, grandfather, a boat neighbor, a yacht club member, a friend. He was also my friend. Our friend. He was the man that many would see sitting on the stern of his boat or in one of the chairs near the ship’s store enjoying the breeze and view of the creek.

As tears began to trickle down my cheek, I began to pray that our friend was safe. I returned to the marina as soon as I could only to receive news that our friend’s body was recovered near his boat. I went directly to the dock where the boat was located and stopped at the yellow police tape. An indescribable numbness and sadness set in. I was greeted by two of the officers that I worked with for many years.  They offered support as I sat motionless on the nearby dock box. My mind was racing with thoughts about what happened to our friend. My heart broke for his wife who just received the news of her husband, and the family and friends that would soon hear the news.

I provided a statement to the Sheriff’s Office investigators then I went to support our friend, a wife that just received the horrific news of her husband. It was a very sad and humbling moment when everything seemed to stop. I didn’t speak much, I just listened. As I listened to her relive stories of their travels, boat adventures and her memories of their life together, there were smiles followed by many tears.

I don’t think that anyone can actually say for certain what happened to our friend that Monday night/early Tuesday morning and we may never know. But one thing is for certain, The Lord is the only one that truly knows the facts of the events that took place.

Our friend will be missed by many that knew him. He was a very kind, unique person with sparkling blue eyes and a caring smile. He was known and respected by many for his sea stories and kindness. He was on the quiet side until you got to know him. His mind was always working to figure out how to create different ways to fix things to work more efficiently or effectively, especially when it came to fixing a boat. Most boaters know that repairing what seems to be a simple project, such as plumbing or a generator, is really not as simple as it seems. Countertops or floors may need to be torn up to fix an over‐engineered, factory design that is much more complicated to repair as boats are not designed with ‘a simple repair by the boat owner in mind.

The news of our marina friend was unexpected and an eye opener for many of us. It could have been any one of us receiving the horrible news that a loving spouse, family member or friend was not returning home. I can only speak for my husband and me, but this tragic event caused us to re‐evaluate the way we do things, especially when it comes to the boat and on the docks at the marina.

An accident can happen in the blink of an eye and you are left with a ‘lesson learned’. Don’t dismay a lesson learned because that lesson may save your life or someone else’s life one day.

• WEAR A PFD! Bright color: This may save your life if you do fall overboard! Even the best swimmer cannot overcome the possibility of hitting their head and getting knocked out during a fall from the dock or a boat. A PFD, if worn properly, fits properly and in good condition, will at least keep you afloat and will better assist in locating you.
• Wear a whistle: Wear a whistle on your PFD. If there comes a time when you need help, sounding the whistle will bring awareness to your distress. The high pitch sound of a whistle may carry further in windy conditions.
• Take your time: Take extra caution when getting on/off of the boat and maneuvering around on the boat.Be aware of your footing: Hold on to a rail, stanchion or life line when getting on and off the boat. Wear proper non‐slip boat shoes and be aware of obstacles such as cleats.
• Hold on: It is very important to maintain at least 3 points of contact when you are on a boat.
• Communicate: Tell your spouse, family, friend that may be on the boat with you that you are going to get on or off of the boat, going to the bow, gunwale or stern. This sounds like no big deal, but this should be practiced, ESPECIALLY while underway. Communication, along with wearing your PFD, is very important for ALL boat occupants. The person at the helm should also communicate to the occupants on board if there is an unexpected or sudden course change, speed change or approaching waves that may change the way the boat will move. This will prepare the occupants and hopefully prevent any injuries.
• Be seen, be heard: If you are in distress in the water: STAY CALM, yell, sound your whistle and wave your arms in the air.
• Water dangers: Tide, current, wind & waves… All the more reason to wear a PFD! If you happen to fall overboard, your chance of survival is much greater than without a PFD, even for the best swimmer. The PFD will keep you afloat, especially when you tire from fighting the elements, will provide more options for survival and will assist in locating you quicker.
• Don’t go alone: If and when possible, have someone with you, especially when you’re on a boat.
• Float plan: If you are planning a trip, whether for the day or longer, let others know your plan. When you are intending to depart, your intended destinations and your projected time of arrival back to the dock. Keep in contact with a family member or friends with updated plans if they change.
• Boat safety checks: Before departing the dock, even for the day, make sure your boat is equipped with all of the required safety equipment, enough for crew & guest. Make sure all equipment is in good working order: bulge pumps, engine, running lights, and anchor lights.
• Crew/guest safety equipment tutorial: Make sure everyone onboard is familiar with the location of ALLof the safety equipment: PFD’s, Type IV Throwable Device, flares, fire extinguishers, VHF radio before leaving the dock. Attempting to locate valuable lifesaving equipment in an emergency will create panic and ciaos which is the last thing one needs in an emergency situation.
• Rules of the Road: Always be alert and aware of the Rules of the Road. Don’t assume that a vessel see’s you or completely understands the Rules of the Road. Take the extra precautionary actions, if needed, to prevent a potential collision.
• Weather: Check the weather before departing the dock for heavy winds, storms etc. and pay attention to the weather during your trip as well. Have an action plan in place in case you encounter unexpected change in weather and make sure all guest on board understand the procedures.

Jacques Yves Cousteau