collision course with your own boat. The shouting, screaming, and blowing of your horn in futility, trying to raise the attention of the other boat’s captain. The attempt at starting the 6-year-old, two-stroke outboard in hopes it will fire on the first crank. The quick short pulls on the anchor line in hopes of moving the boat a few feet. Thinking it might be best to abandon ship in an effort to not be crushed by the enormous boat. Being thrown violently to the floor like a rag doll after being hit, or watching in disbelief as the other boat motors off without stopping to check if we were sinking. Hailing the Coast Guard on a VHF radio that had been tested many times but never used in an emergency. The Coast Guard offering to call me back on a cell phone because they couldn’t understand what I was saying. Spending the afternoon talking to the local police because the Coast Guard only investigates commercial accidents. Spending the early evening talking to the Environmental Police after being told the local police do not investigate boating accidents. If you haven’t figured it out yet, my brother and I are the “two fellows out fishing on a bright, sunny day” that Mr. Morgan mentions in his story. From my perspective, we were all very lucky that day. We were all lucky no one on either boat was hurt. We were also lucky that neither boat experienced any substantial damage. I was lucky Mr. Morgan paid for all damages. However, from my perspective, circumstances that led up to the event, and the way it was handled afterwards, could have, and should have, been handled differently. It is our responsibility to pay attention, operate safely, and be willing to accept responsibility for our mistakes, immediately. And please keep in mind how important it is to have adequate signaling devices on board. And, most important, always, always, wear your life preserver. Thomas Dion Somerset, Mass.
La mer, monikers and yacht clubs Thank you for running “Of La Mer and Monikers” in your December issue. We got a kick out of reading it again and of thinking of all the names compiled since (which I have on a list buried somewhere in my files). The inventiveness of mariners never ceases to amaze. We enjoyed as always the whole issue, and “Musings about Yacht Clubs” (Editor’s Page, December) was fascinating. We have had experienced so many, and they are so varied in appearance but usually not in their cordiality. We have always loved to cruise to Marblehead particularly, with its three great clubs – the Boston Yacht Club, the Corinthian 8
Points East Midwinter 2009
and the Eastern. Usually we stayed at the Boston Yacht Club because we love to stroll the old town, but we have made it a point to stay at both the Corinthian and Eastern as well. They are like a trip through the Ritz, and I’ve never stopped being surprised at how windblown people such as us, in downto-earth boating clothes, could penetrate such inner sanctums and be welcomed. Also, the walks from both out to Marblehead Neck with its Chandler Hovey Park and greens and benches and grand views of the town shore and out to sea were continual happenings. And last time we put into the very wealthy port of Manchester, its yacht club was still the only one we knew of that didn’t charge for moorings. Launch service was always included. Love the ambience of every club we’ve ever been in; they have aesthetics all their own. Mary Jane Hayes Hanover, Mass.
Maine summer committed to list Friends Russ and Marty Roth, who keep their boat Skiya in Rockland, Maine, convinced us to base our trawler there, too, for several weeks of cruising this past summer, then recently asked us what our summer was like. They think I summed up the summer in Maine perfectly. Good things in the last few weeks 1. Saw Bob Marley (comedian) in Rockland. 2. Saw Tim Sample (comedian) in Rockland. 3. Ate at several good restaurants in Rockland. Cafe Miranda is our favorite. 4. Bought shoes in Camden. 5. Ate dinner with friends in Camden. 6. Attended boat show in Rockland. Drooled a great deal, but with pouring rain, no one noticed. 7. Had electronic issues attended to in Rockland. 8. Liked the harbor of Belfast. Nice place, good ice cream. 9. Attended farmers market in Rockland. Bought lifetime supply of olive oil-infused goat cheese. 10. Took a multi-week pass at a health facility/gym in Rockland. 11. Visited Owls Head Museum. Wonderful; got good pictures. 12. Installed Sat TV on board; gets NESN, and the Red Sox appreciated my viewership. 13. Took a side trip to Andover, Maine, Ellen’s family homestead/farm. Interacted with a group on environmentalists who squeezed a conservation easement out of Ellen’s folks. Good fun in the thunderstorm last Sunday.
editor@pointseast.com