Tom,

You didn't invite them to have a gas cocktail? I'm sure that they would have
liked that. Even if you had missed it might have scared the hell out of them
enough to back off. I know that it is rare, but that is one of the things
that makes me want to have a firearm on board and yet I know that it can
cause trouble at check in.

Van...

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-baba-l@ballreich.net [mailto:owner-baba-l@ballreich.net]On
Behalf Of Tom Beard
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 4:41 PM
To: baba-l@ballreich.net
Subject: RE: [Baba-L] Bimini & Dodger

Jim,

The helicopter was probably ship-based on one of the cutters patrolling the
region. These ship/helo law enforcement units usually lurk, leaving their
presence unknown, for ease in catching the bad guys.

We had an otherwise experience from yours, now a bunch of years back, while
sailing up from Granada to St. Thomas. We were south of St Croix near sunset
when four locals in a fishing boat tried to board us. I hauled off on a
broad reach, and with six-foot beam-seas, it was impossible for them to
maneuver their twin outboard powered boat alongside. They kept attempting on
both sides without success-many times. I kept them at bay this way while all
the time trying to contact the Coast Guard I knew was in the area. The Coast
Guard did not respond to either of my VHF or HF transmissions. I finally
contacted Herb (the weatherman) on HF, then in Bermuda, and he relayed my
message via VHF to the Bermudian harbor control who in turn called the Coast
Guard in Virginia. They contacted a station in Florida who called me
finally, an hour after this episode began. I then yelled to the encroachers
that I had contacted the Coast Guard. That was the magic words. The mystery
boat instantly backed off and disappeared. A search was conducted throughout
the night for this boat but it was never found-nor was there ever a "fishing
boat" missing. I had a long talk with the Coast Guard after my arrival in
St. Thomas.

It was always my pleasure to "hold the flashlight" for you and others. That
was a most rewarding and life-fulfilling job. I'm sure the crew that lighted
up you life that night was equally pleased they could help. We might just
find out who they were now that I contacted the Pteros and might even get
their side of the story.

Tom

MOONSHADOW

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-baba-l@ballreich.net [mailto:owner-baba-l@ballreich.net] On
Behalf Of Jim Swallow
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 11:40 AM
To: baba-l@ballreich.net
Subject: RE: [Baba-L] Bimini & Dodger

Tom- I hope they enjoyed the story. I was wondering
where they were based? They were on us within 15-20
minutes from the time our progress slowed. Is there a
helo base on Great Inagua or nearby? Thanks for all
you guys do, from real rescues to just "holding the
flashlight" for us!
Jim

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