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It was almost a perfect Sunday outing...until a newer potterer (name?) ran into trouble with his sails leaving Clipper Cove, and an emergency, life threatening situation ensued. Steve Potter headed over to help...honoring the Mariner's Code to help vessels in distress. I regrettably chose to continue on (having just recovered from the frustrations of a lost main halyard shackle), seeing that Steve had it handled. But, by the time Steve got there, and I long gone, the guy had CAPSIZED, and was in the water WITHOUT A LIFEJACKET! Steve managed to heroically muscle him aboard, and proceeded to attempt to right the boat...going into the water himself. When this didn't work out, and Steve showing signs of hypothermia (violently shaking and stiff) they tied the now turtled boat to a mooring line.... and proceeded to the dock at Clipper Cove...where they were helped by some good folks who warmed them up, fed them, and drove them back to the Alameda launching ramp...where most were already gone, and I a little ashamed, but so relieved to see them. It wasn't just Steve P. deciding to spend the night at Clipper! They plan to retrieve their boats today. It is amazing how hoards of Sunday afternoon boats (not the Potters who were out of sight while this was happening) passed them by without a clue, and a reminder to all of us that shit happens. I think it would be a good idea at our annual meeting to discuss the buddy system, vhf use, and identify/organize the skill levels in our fleet...and since we don't have a "crash boat", perhaps at skipper's meetings (which we didn't have yesterday) should assign a "rear guard" to tail the fleet. Goose
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