We departed Fort Pierce for Titusville around 10am.
It was a typical day of cruising. Boats, bridges, birds and dolphins. Navigation was straight forward. Nothing tricky, nothing we hadn’t already experienced.
I’m a lifetime boater and consider myself relatively competent behind the wheel. That said, it’s not an exaggeration to say that I learn something new every day! And today was no exception!
We were catching up to a couple of boats – Pamet (49′ Grand Banks) directly ahead and Mowhisky (43′ Mainship) in the lead. Pamet radioed MoWhisky asking permission to pass, the preferred side and whether a fast or slow pass was preferred. The captains quickly settled on a port side slow pass. Teri and I heard all this and were thinking…Wow!…that was interesting.
The captains’ communications were precise and cordial.
Now I’m coming up on MoWhisky….what to do?? I consider myself a very courteous boater, but do I really need to request permission to pass? Nah, I’ll give Mr. Whisky a wide berth. I won’t be noticed.
About the time I was abreast MoWhisky , he lit up the airwaves! “Pamet, this is MoWhisky. A power catamaran named Karma is going to race by you without providing the consideration you provided me. Thought you should know”. Shit!
After a moment to collect a thought, I hopped on the radio and uttered an apology with the qualification that I didn’t think I had done anything improper.
About an hour later, Teri and were docked for the night at our next marina and cleaning the days’ salt off the boat. Suddenly we hear the dockmaster speaking with MoWhisky! Oh geez!…he’s spending the night at our marina. Then the dockmaster tells MoWhisky where he’ll be docked… on the T right in front of the power catamaran “Karma”! Oh shit! Karmic!!
Pamet docked there too and the three boat crews went to dinner at Dixie Crossroads. Great people! Excellent dinner!
Turns out the captain of MoWhisky was a professional ship docker, and from what I could tell, an expert witness for all things maritime. I got schooled and I appreciated it. I’m now a better boater. I hail every boat and the occasional dolphin!
