The TAX man cometh - -?

A major portion of last week was spent in determining ownership and responsibility to salvage and recover a 45 ft Sea Ray 450 that had sunk and grounded in its dock.  Vessel supposedly sunk in the dock back in February, flooding the entire vessel from bow to stern until it came to rest on bottom.  The lake water level was higher in February causing the entire lower cabin and Engine Room to flood over most of the twin diesel motors and generator.  Lake Tow LLC and Atlantis Dive, with the cooperation of the Missouri State Water Patrol, was  able to determine the vessel was financed by a major bank and a certain Federal Agency was also looking to seize the vessel as part of an on going investigation of fraud and money laundering.  On Wednesday morning we received the "go ahead" to salvage, un-ground and deliver vessel to the Federal Agency ashore for haul-out and transport to Government Property storage and ultimate sale.

Vessel flooded and grounded due to low lake level

Interior cabin flooding

Engine room flooding, main cause of flooding was frozen generator sea strainer bowl as valve was left open and strainer bowl fractured due to freezing and vessel took on water.

Recovered vessel in tow, escorted by Atlantis Dive Salvage Vessel "Nautilus"

Vessel delivered to shore by TowBoatU.S. and Atlantis Dive, LLC

TowBoatU.S. Days West Marine, last weekend

In spite of the inclement weather we had for last weekend, the two days we spent at our local Osage Beach West Marine store was a great experience.  Our thanks to store manager Annette Renfro and her great staff at West Marine for allowing us to spend time in their store and speak to customers.  I believe we were able to make some new friends and promote the true value of a BoatU.S. membership.  Thanks to all!

Left to Right - Captain Delton Jones, Ryan Dubinski, Captain Dwayne Johnson

Left to Right - Captain's Dwayne and Delton,  West Marine Associates "Sam" and Kate, Captain Dave

TowBoatU.S. Days West Marine, Osage Beach!

Spring Break - 2010

Things are still pretty slow and winter is refusing to die off here - We had a couple of sunny 60 plus degree days that then turned back to 40's, cloudy and sprinkles.  The slow time is not without rewards - -

Our Grandson Ryan from Overland park, KS is spending part of his spring break with us and yesterday, Ryan and I took a "guy" day and drove to Fort Leonard Wood, MO to tour the base and check out the Fort Leonard Wood Museums, which include:  A collection of World War II barracks that show military life at Fort Leonard Wood since World War II.  Static field displays of military vehicles, aircraft, tanks and YES even BOATS!   The John B Mahaffey Museum Complex contains museums for three Army branches – Engineer, Chemical and Military Police. There is also an authentic and complete World War II company area available for a walking tour.  The displays are really great and each museum has its own unique gift shop.  Ryan and I spent several hours there and really enjoyed it and learned a lot.  WELL worth the time.  Of course we have to show a couple of "Boat" pictures to keep on track:

Ryan with a 31ft PBR.  In March of 1968, the 458th Transportation Company was attached to the 18th Military Police Brigade for the purpose of providing port and river security in South Vietnam with patrol boats.  The PBR's four crew members usually consisted of an engineer and operator from the 458th and two MP's from 18th MP Brigade.  Records indicate their were about 39 Mark 2 PBR's in use by the MP's in Vietnam.  

Ryan with a USCG 41ft UTB (Utility Boat) constructed at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland, from 1972 to 1979.  In 2008 these sturdy "workhorse" boats began to be replaced by the response boat-medium over a 6 to 10 year period.  This particular "41" was stationed in New York.  The sad fact is, these were the "new" boats over 1/2 way through my Coast Guard career - - - -

FIRST, I WANT TO THANK THE ACADEMY - - - ?

The BOATU.S. Press Release this morning came at a rather interesting time as all the Academy Awards are being played out in the media.
At the recent Annual TOWBOATUS conference, my company; TowBoatU.S. Lake of the Ozarks, had the privilege of being awarded "Tower of the Year" by BOATU.S.  I accepted the award for the company from BoatU.S. Vice President of Towing Services Jerry Cardarelli.
I had no idea it was coming and I did a poor job of thanking those responsible for the award, so I will take a minute to do so.  First, this award could not be possible with out the efforts and dedication of a great group of Captains who make this happen: Capt Delton Jones, Capt Dwayne Johnson, Capt Dave Anderson, Capt Tim McNitt and of course my wife Laura, who sometimes acts as "dispatcher" and fields calls.  She also watches any plans she may have for dinner, or a day out, go out the window on a regular basis, and somehow puts up with the phone ringing @ 2:00a.m. yet, she is still married to me - -.  Laura and I attended the recent Virginia conference in the company of Captains Delton Jones and Dwayne Johnson along with part time crewman Todd Fischer.  
We are all very proud to be part of BOATU.S. Towing Services and thanks to Jerry Cardarelli,  Adam Wheeler,  Richard Schwartz, Chairman of BOATU.S.,  Bill Oakerson, CEO  and Nancy Michelman, President  and the entire BOATU.S. Team.

Accepting the Award from Vice President of Towing Services Jerry Cardarelli. (right) 

Left to right - Arlington, VA, January 2010,  Crewman Todd Fischer, Captain Dwayne Johnson, Captain Delton Jones (who looks like the cat that just swallowed a canary) - Laura, (who has just probably learned something about me she shouldn't know from Jones and Fischer)  - These guys are hard to control - -

THANKS TO ALL - CHARLIE

The Queen is Dead - "Long live the Queen"

Saturday, March 6;  After a two month "vacation" and a rather unusually cold and long winter, things broke loose yesterday with sunshine and temperatures near 60 degrees.  Of course the Lake water temperature still remains quite cold at around 37 degrees - but things are starting to happen.  As typical when the temperature begins to rise - the results of the "freeze/thaw" cycle begin to become apparent resulting in some unfortunate consequences.  Yesterday brought on the "Death of a Queen", an old 32 foot steel hull "River Queen" houseboat met her fate and slipped below the surface, nearly bringing the owner's dock with her.  Her stern now rests on the bottom, as she awaits recovery and disposal later this morning.

 

"River Queen" rests on the bottom, her demise was the result of neglect, no bilge pumps, engine hatch had not been opened in over a year and of course - No insurance -

Captain Delton Jones, TowBoatUS (right) and Captain Steve Coursey of Atlantis Dive, prepare to deploy 160 ft of oil boom around the vessel while arrangements are made for salvage and disposal.

Boom off nearly completed, she will be raised later  this morning

UPDATE; 3-8-10 - The "QUEEN" is back on TOP!!!

TowBoatUS / Atlantis Dive LLC -

Local USCG Auxiliary Basic Skills and Seamanship

I had the privilege to teach the USCGA Boating Safety Course "Equipment for Your Boat" chapter last Tuesday evening (3-2-10)  to a great group of students - with heavy concentration on wearing your PFD!  This 8 week class (one evening a week for two hours) on "Basic Skills and Seamanship" is presented by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.  Click logo below to see additional local USCGA course information and schedules.  

Successful completion of this course also qualifies you for the Missouri Boating Safety card required for all persons born after January 1, 1984 and operating a boat on Missouri waters.

CG Nominee Wants to Cut Terror Mission

Military.com news is reporting:
February 25, 2010

Associated Press

WASHINGTON --- President Obama's pick to lead the Coast Guard wants to make major cuts to the agency's counterterrorism mission over the next five years.

An internal memo from Vice Admiral Robert J. Papp Jr., Obama's nominee to become Coast Guard commandant, says that starting in 2012, he would slash funding for programs in the agency's homeland security plan, including patrols and training exercises.

The memo, marked "sensitive --- for internal Coast Guard use only," was obtained by The Associated Press. --

READ ENTIRE AP ARTICLE HERE

GOIN FISHIN? may be a little chilly - Wear Your Jacket -

THEY MAY HAVE 10,000 LAKES IN MINNESOTA - BUT  - IT ONLY TAKES ONE -

FISH SAFE  /  BOAT SAFE