Boat US to the Rescue

[Holy Grail]

Had a beautiful week out in Greenport. Ran out there early this week from Nassau County and the conditions couldn't be better. No wind, blue skies, no traffic, blew right through Moriches "S" curve, nice quick lock up through the Shinny Canal and off through the Peconic to Greenport with no issues.

Had a great week there, head back this morning, cruise through the Peconic with no issues, then decide, what the heck, conditions are perfect, lets take the ocean back through the Shinny Inlet to Fire Island and over to Ocean Beach for lunch.

Twenty minutes in, starboard engine alarms go off and it dies, about three miles off shore and just west of the inlet.

Look down below and it's ugly. Antifreeze all over, belt is off and auto tension mount has broken off. No chance of me continuing.

Call Tow Boat US and they are awesome. "Bob" out of Moriches area roars out, meets me at the intet as I limp in on just the port engine. By this time we are dealing with 6-8 ft rollers. He tells me I am much safer powering in on my own, not getting towed and offers to guide me in. He does and he is outstanding.

We roll slightly east as the rollers come over right to left. Gets kind of tricky as we get in tight to the inlet. He tells me to follow him to the first gas dock so he can figure out what's happening with the engine.

He guides me in, helps me use the wind to dock. Jumps on-board and tells me what the part problem is. Makes three calls to see if he can get the part. Learns he can't and encourages me to go it all the way back to Massapequa with one engine. Says he'll meet up with us through Moriches area "just in case." Not sure I believe he'll be there, but I press on.

Long story longer, I get within 15 minutes of Moriches and call Bob. He roars up and guides me through again.

The guy was just incredible. Plus, he was dead on right. We made it through at 2,000 rpm all the way without touching once.

A 3-4 hr trip turned into almost 12 hrs, but the weather was spectacular, the passengers were more than patient and we got all the way home on just one engine at 7-9 mph.

Boating is never easy, but Bob and Tow Boat US made it far more comfortable within a very difficult, challenging situation.

If anyone ever thought about choosing between the two... Tow Boat... Moriches and Bayshore, not to mention Reynolds... are all outstanding.

Thanks for reading. I'm exhausted and headed to bed.

 

[Holy Grail]

By the way... I meant choosing between Sea Tow or Tow Boat US! In my opinion, Boat US wins big time.

 

[AF]

I'm glad everything worked out for you.

After all that praise, I hope you forward a copy of your letter to TowBoat US corporate office as well as a copy to TowBoat US Moriches. I'm sure the captain would appreciate the fact that you recognized him!

Adam

 

[Holy Grail]

Adam... plan on doing just that with the corporate office. As for the Moriches office, I think he is the one who runs it. Can't say enough good about him/ them. Figured this was as great place to give credit. Thanks.

 

[Danno]

Had a similar experience a few years ago, STBD engine overheated on the way back from AC this happend about 3 miles north of Manesquan inlet. Got BOAT US on the radio and they put me intouch with Reynolds tow via the phone where we worked it out that I would limp back on port Engine towards ER inlet and he would meet me(he was in Seaford at the time). Tow Boat US was there waiting for me and kept in touch the whole time I crossed amborose- hooked up and took me the rest of the way home. In all an extra 3 hours to limp across NY harbor then a 1 hr tow home.

Tow Boat US has always been there for me over the years and that is 1 renewal fee I do not complain about each year.