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Trigger
 
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| On a recent sword fishing trip on MIDNIGHT RUN we had engine problems and came in the last 36 miles on one motor. We thought we had it bad till we came along side a commercial snapper boat with no power at all plus he had run his batteries down trying to restart his motor. we knew that we would get in, a little later than planned , but still safe. The snapper boat could only sit there until help arrived, Doc got on the radio and called the Coast Guard, thats where I got concerned. The first issue that they wanted clear was "who we were". Second was a description of situation. I waited for some response from the CG as to what they were were going to do. They only thing that I am aware of is that they sent out a "vessel in distress " call out. I think that another snapper boat finally helped them out.. They had been there a full day when we chanced by them. All this to get to my point , who are you going to call when "something bad " happens. I have a PLB so my wife knows that if she doesn't get a call , I am OK, just late. In our case the Coastie did make a phone call for us, but I am not sure if that was an exception. We all assume that they would , but separate what you know from what you think you know. Things like how far will your radio "really" will talk ,what will the Coast Guard do if you call them, how far will your tow insurance cover you. These things might make a big difference to you one day. Recently a diver died after diving on the O and there was talk of why the CG didn't' launch a helo for him. As far as I know there is not one here to send nor is there one in Mobile.. nearest helo is in New Orleans, please correct me if I'm wrong. I am sure there limitations as far as what the CG can respond to and how , but it would be nice to know before the shit hits the fan.
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Mingo
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Last Login: 8/1/2008 8:44:31 PM
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| My understanding is that unless life is at peril, (due to injury, illness or sinking) the Coast Guard will not respond, but will notify a commercial towing/salvage company such as Sea Tow or Tow Boat US if requested. Don't know anything about the diver on the O, but in the instance of the Snapper boat, they were not sinking and no one was injured or ill, so the CG did what they were supposed to do, broadcast an alert and if requested, notify a commercial operator
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Snapper
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Why would the CG need to launch a helo mission for a dead diver?
DFA
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Sailfish
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Death From Above (5/12/2008)
Why would the CG need to launch a helo mission for a dead diver?He was not dead at the time of the call. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "H2O: 2 parts hydrogen 1 part obsession." Jon
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MODERATOR
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Trigger
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Last Login: Today @ 8:51:22 PM
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| "As far as I know there is not one here to send nor is there one in Mobile.. nearest helo is in New Orleans, please correct me if I'm wrong." When I lived in Slidell, LA off Lake Pontchartrain, that CG helo flew over the lake just about every weekend looking for someone in trouble. If that's the closest CG helo we have, then that is ashame. I wouldn't count on it.
Jim
Chapparal WA 204
150hp Evinrude Ocean Pro
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Grouper
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| Mobile does have helos...one of the traing facilities and they do respond quite often.. HH-60J Air Stations: - ATC Mobile, Alabama
- CGAS Kodiak, Alaska
- CGAS Sitka, Alaska
- CGAS San Diego, California
- CGAS Clearwater, Florida
- CGAS Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- CGAS Elizabeth City, NC
- CGAS Astoria, OR
HH-65A Air Stations: - CGAS Traverse City, Michigan
- CGAS Barbers Point, Hawaii
- CGAS Borinquen, Puerto Rico
- CGAS Atlantic City, New Jersey
- CGAS Corpus Christi, Texas
- CGAS Detroit, Michigan
- CGAS Houston, Texas
- CGAS Humbolt Bay, California
- CGAS Los Angeles, California
- CGAS Miami, Florida
- CGAS/ATC Mobile, Alabama
- CGAS New Orleans, Louisiana
- CGAS North Bend, Oregon
- CGAS San Francisco, California
- CGAS Port Angeles, Washington
- CGAS Savannah, Georgia
- CGAS Kodiak, Alaska
 
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Grouper
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I see CG choppers flying at Pensacola Beach all the time. I also think the Navy have rescue choppers too. I don't think you want to call the CG for a tow tho. Be kinda like calling the Navy cause you ran out of fuel 20 miles off shore and expecting them to bring some. It's 'Coast Guard', not 'Coast Life Guard'.
Fish On!!!
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