June 2006:

• A Santa Barbara 41 named Miss Jasmine, disabled near Arch Rock, Anacapa Island, called Vessel Assist for help. It was Captain Paul, on Retriever, who went to the aid of the mariners aboard, towing the boat to Ventura Harbor.

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• The mariners aboard Do Ra III lost their mainsail, their engine, the sun, the wind, and apparently, their luck, but not their sense of humor. They called Vessel Assist for a tow and Captains Bev and Paul, on Retriever, along with Veda, Maddie, and Butterdog, went to their assistance. The boat was towed in to Ventura Harbor and safely tied up to the Harbor Patrol longdock.

• A Pacemaker 37 went from one slip to another in Ventura West Marina, Phase II. It was Captains Bev and Paul and Maddie and Butterdog, on Retriever, who did the move. (PHOTO)

• Suzie C, a Horizon 37, ran afoul of luck just inside the Channel Islands Harbor detached breakwall. The mariners aboard the disabled vessel were able to anchor safely until Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands could respond. Captain Kris towed the boat back to its home slip in Vintage Marina.

• A Catalina 42, named Wind Dancer, underwent engine removal at Anchor's Way Boatyard and needed a tow back to the Ventura Keys. It was Captains Bev and Paul, along with Maddie and Butter who towed the boat.

• Patti Ann, a 40 foot Richardson, lost steering in the main fairway in Ventura Harbor and called Vessel Assist for help. Captains Bev and Paul, and Maddie and Butterdog, responded, towing the boat back to Ventura Harbor Village. Retriever was the tow boat of the day.

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• Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands moved a 26 foot Campion, named Canada Goose, from its slip in Anacapa Isle Marina to the launch ramp in Channel Islands Harbor. The boat was going on a Lynn's Heavy Hauling trailer, bound for disposal.

• Captains Bev and Paul moved a 60 foot Grand Banks trawler from the Ventura Harbor Boatyard slips to the big haulout ways. Retriever was the tow boat.

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• Captains Bev and Paul moved Pangea, a 47 foot sailboat, from its slip in Ventura West Marina, Phase II, to another slip. Retriever was the tow boat.

• Long Tow Tom responded to the call for assistance from a 42 foot power boat anchored in Cojo Anchorage. Captain Tom left base at 8:30 for the thirteen and a half hour tow, arriving at Point Conception approximately four and a half hours later. The boat was bound for points north, but in order to effect repairs Tom towed the big boat into Santa Barbara, a nine and a half hour tow. Retriever was the tow boat.

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• Captain Paul responded to the call for help from a 25 foot Farallon, disabled in position N 34 deg 01.533, W 119 deg 37.286 (Chinese Cove, Santa Cruz Island). The vessel originally hailed Sea Tow, but the confusion was finally straightened out and it was determined that the mariners were indeed members of Vessel Assist and a boat was dispatched immediately. Assist Channel Islands was the tow boat.

• It was Captain Jon's turn to go out to Chinese Cove, Santa Cruz Island, and drag a boat back to Channel Islands Harbor. Sweet Melissa, an 18 foot Davis, suffered starter failure while at the island. Assist Channel Islands was the tow boat.

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• Captain Tom and Retriever were the heroes who responded to the disabled Sheriff's Department boat, towing it in to Ventura Harbor.

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• Here are some typical hazards encountered on a channel crossing. While towing a vessel into Channel Islands Harbor Captain Paul encountered this tug, which had two barges in tow. It's important to be vigilant, it's not always easy to spot a vessel with a tow since the distance between the tug and the tow is often great. It's also crucial to know the rules of the road, and to observe them. A vessel in tow always has the right of way over pleasure craft, even sailboats under sail. (PHOTO 1) (PHOTO 2)

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• Again, the heroes were Captain Tom and Retriever. A 27 foot Catalina, named Vujaday, was disabled near the entrance to Ventura Harboar and called Vessel Assist for help. Captain Tom towed the boat safely in to the harbor.

• Captains Paul and Jason, on Assist Channel Islands, towed a 49 foot Motoryacht, named Carlita, from Channel Islands Boatyard to Ventura Harbor Boatyard.

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• Captain Kris responded to the distress call from a 45 foot Hardin, named Blythe Spirit, disabled at the entrance to Channel Islands Harbor. The boat was headed to Ventura Harbor Boatyard so Captain Kris obliged, towing the mariners the rest of the way. Retriever was the tow boat. (PHOTO)

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• Captain Kris and Retriever were the heroes again. A 30 foot sailboat, named Red Witch, ran out of fuel near Anacapa Island and called for a fuel drop. The mariners were headed to Channel Islands Harbor when their fuel ran out. Unfortunately - since the mariners were non-members - the fuel drop did not cure the problem, and this case turned in to a tow at retail rates.

• Vessel Assist Ventura welcomes two new captains aboard! Captain Kris Emery (yikes, another Captain Kris!), who is also a Ventura Harbor Patrol Reserve Officer, began working with us in June. Jason Davis, a fixed wing pilot in his spare time, joined our staff in May. With the addition of these two capable skippers we'll be better able to serve the Vessel Assist/BoatUS members. If you see Captain Jason or Captain Kris out on the water give 'em a wave to say hello.

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• Wind Dancer, went back to Anchor's Way Boatyard for engine installation. The captains were Bev and Paul, along with Maddie and Butterdog. Retriever was the tow boat.

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• Retriever was the tow boat, Bev and Paul were the Captains, Querida was the tow, Anchor's Way Boatyard was point of origination, and the Ventura Keys were the final destination.

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• Tackle Box, a Stamas 28, went from a slip in Anchor's Way Marina to Anchor's Way Boatyard. The moving crew were Captains Bev and Paul, along with Maddie and Butter, on Retriever.

• Captains Paul and Jason, onboard Retriever, delivered fuel to a Coronado 45 sailboat in position N 34 deg 00.048, W 118 deg 54.046. (PHOTO)

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• Captain Kris was dispatched to help the mariners aboard a Four Winns powerboat at Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island. The boat had apparently suffered a fire onboard and National Park Service Rangers were involved in assisting the mariners with securing the boat to a mooring in the anchorage pending the arrival of Vessel Assist. Captain Kris put all three of the mariners from the Four Winns aboard Assist Channel Islands with him for the tow back across the Santa Barbara Channel to Ventura Harbor.

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• Captains Paul and Jason, onboard Retriever, went to the assistance of a 37 foot sailboat named Spellbound, just outside the Ventura Harbor entrance. The boat was towed to Ventura West Marina. (PHOTO 1) (PHOTO 2)

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• Captains Bev and Paul, aboard Retriever, went after the SeaDoo boat disabled near the Carpinteria Pier. The boat did not have a GPS or a VHF radio onboard so the mariners were lucky to be found just as the heavy blanket of fog rolled in to the coast. It would have been virtually impossible for anyone unfamiliar with the coastline to find the way back to Santa Barbara, in the fog, without running aground. The boat was towed to the Santa Barbara launch ramp.

• Captain Kris was dispatched to assist the mariners aboard a Catalina 27 named Haole Boy, disabled near Goleta Point. The mariners were able to get their problem fixed however, and stood down Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands.

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• Captain Jason on Retriever, heading out to assist a mariner. (PHOTO 1) (PHOTO 2)

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• Uh oh, is that Assist Channel Islands at the end of that towline behind Retriever? Even Vessel Assist boats break down. (PHOTO)

• Captains Paul and Jason went to the aid of a pickup, submerged at the launch ramp in Channel Islands Harbor. Captain Paul suited up and got in the water to attach the towing line to the vehicle. Lynn's Heavy Hauling, on scene with a heavy duty tow truck and winch, pulled the truck up the ramp. (PHOTO 1) (PHOTO 2) (PHOTO 3) (PHOTO 4)

• Captains Bev and Paul, on Retriever, were the moving crew for the Westsail 32, Destiny. The boat went to Ventura Harbor Boatyard for engine installation.

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• Again, Captains Bev and Paul and Retriever were the moving crew. A Harco 40 powerboat went to Ventura Harbor Boatyard.

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• FNC, a Custom 32 foot powerboat, called Vessel Assist for a fuel drop. The boat was in the separation zone of the shipping lanes so Captain Kris hustled out there on Retriever to make sure the mariners had fuel to get safely out of the way of the merchant fleet.

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• A 45 foot Sea Ray at the Channel Islands launch ramp needed to go to its home slip in Penninsula Yacht Anchorage. Captains Bev and Paul took Maverick to do the job since all the boats were either out on calls, or in Ventura.

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• After returning to Ventura Harbor from Channel Islands with Maverick, a call came in from a Vessel Assist member disabled at the pump out station at Ventura Isle Marina, Ventura Harbor. The mariners needed a tow back to their home slip in Ventura Isle Marina, J Dock. Captains Bev and Paul won the coin toss and stayed late to get it done. Retriever was the tow boat.

• Captain Paul putting Maverick through her paces. (PHOTO) (PHOTO 2) (PHOTO 3) (PHOTO 4)

• Captain Paul responded to the mariners aboard a disabled Cheoy Lee powerboat, named Seal, just outside Channel Islands Harbor. The boat was towed back to its home slip in Channel Islands Harbor Marina. Retriever was the tow boat.

• Double Vision, a 26 foot Radon disabled at Chinese Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, called Vessel Assist for a tow back to Ventura Harbor. It was Captains Paul and Jason, on Retriever, who responded. (PHOTO)

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• Off the Hook, a 26 foot Skipjack, called Vessel Assist for assistance. The boat was anchored in position N 34 deg 03.887, W 118 deg 59.742, between Point Dume and Port Hueneme. Coast Guard responded since the vessel was precariously close to the beach but the mariner was able to get his engine started so he made it back to Channel Islands Harbor under his own power - with a Coast Guard escort. Captains Paul and Jason, who were just finishing up with Double Vision and making preparations to get under way, were stood down.

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• Captain Paul enjoying the ride on Retriever while on the way to help a mariner. (PHOTO)

• The mariners aboard a 17 foot Boston Whaler named Cat Nap became aware of a problem with their boat while anchored at Anacapa Island, near Arch Rock, and called Vessel Assist. Captain Tom responded on Assist Channel Islands, towing the boat back to Channel Islands Harbor.

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• A Hunter 30 named Calypso suffered an overheated engine in Ventura Harbor. It was Captains, Bev, Paul and Jason who responded, towing the boat to its slip in Ventura West Marina, Phase II. Retriever was the tow boat.

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• Captain Tom responded to the vessel, named Starry Night, disabled in Channel Islands Harbor. The boat was towed back to its slip in Peninsula Yacht Anchorage. Assist Channel Islands was the tow boat.

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• Double D, a Wellcraft 24, suffered engine failure in position N 34 deg 10.24, W 119 deg 20.21. Captain Tom responded on Retriever, towing the boat back to Ventura Harbor launch ramp, a 2 hour case.

• Outdrive failure claimed a victim at Smuggler's Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island. The Bayliner 24 was assisted back to the Channel Islands launch ramp by Captain Paul on Retriever.

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• Captain Jon drew the short straw and ran the long case to the mariner disabled in position N 34 deg 01.9, W 118 deg 58.1. The seas were short and steep, making the tow sloppy, but Captain Jon and Assist Channel Islands were up to it, delivering the Saberline 34, named Blue Skies, safely back to Channel Islands Harbor.

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• Captain Paul, on Retriever, responded to the scene of the Searay 21 in danger of running aground on Anacapa Island. The mariner had managed to get out a cell phone call for help, giving his position, before he lost communications. Vessel Assist Center in Newport Beach was unable to re-establish communication so Vessel Assist Ventura was dispatched. The disabled boat had been assisted to a safe location by a good samaritan, and was securely re-anchored by the time Captain Paul arrived on scene. The boat was towed to Channel Islands Harbor launch ramp.

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• Black Dog, a Skipjack 24 with a wrapped prop, called Vessel Assist for help. There was no communication with the vessel after the initial call however, so the search was a challenge for Captain Jon and Assist Channel Islands. Since darkness was approaching, and the boat apparently did not have a VHF radio, the Coast Guard got involved with the search. Captain Jon found his man in the nick of time and the mariner was safely assisted back to Channel Islands Harbor.

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• Recreational boaters are not the only people plagued with fouled props. Brusscoe Tug wrapped an industrial hose around all three blades of one of their enormous props while maneuvering a ship into Port Hueneme. The tug was forced to continue assisting the ship, minus a prop, until they could return to the docks and call Vessel Assist for a diver. Captain Tom was the diver on call so he drove to Port Hueneme and suited up for the challenge. Tom was successful in freeing the prop using an old-school method, a sledge hammer. The Lulapin was back online to serve the port before the night was over.

• Broadbill, a 125 foot crewboat, was the first order of business. It was Captains Paul, Bev and Jason who moved the big boat from the ways at Ventura Harbor Boatyard to an adjacent slip. Retriever was the tow boat.

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• Ashton Tide went from a slip to the big ways at Ventura Harbor Boatyard. The moving crew was Captains Paul, Bev and Jason, on Retriever.

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• A Grand Mariner 43 went from the Ventura Village Marina to Anchor's Way Boatyard for engine installation, and then back to its slip. It was Captains Paul, Bev and Jason, on Retriever, who moved the boat.

• The Major Engineering Barge asked Captains Paul and Jason to stand by on Retriever while the barge and crane were maneuvered into position near the entrance to Ventura Harbor. The dense fog made conditions hazardous and the Major Engineering crew was unable to complete the task of removing scaffolding from the breakwall.

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• E Sea Living went from its slip in Ventura Keys to Anchor's Way Boatyard for engine installation. The moving crew was Captains Paul, Bev, and Jason, on Retriever.

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• Deliverance, a Cheoy Lee sailboat, went from its slip at Ventura Yacht Club to Anchor's Way Boatyard for engine installation. It was Captains Paul, Bev and Jason, on Retriever, who moved the boat.

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• A fuel delivery took Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands offshore to Little Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island. A Downeaster 38, named Casa Blanca, needed 20 gallons of diesel.

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• A Schock 35 sailboat lost its engine while motoring in Channel Islands Harbor. The mariner called Vessel Assist for help and Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands came to the rescue, towing the boat back to its slip in Vintage Marina.

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• After putting the Schock sailboat away, Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands went offshore to assist another mariner. A 20 foot Trophy powerboat, named America's Cup, lost power about five miles out of Channel Islands, needing a tow back in to the harbor.

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• Captains Paul and Jason, on Retriever, went after the mariners disabled on the 21 foot Pursuit, outside Port Hueneme. The boat was towed back to Channel Islands Harbor.

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• It was Captain Paul who lost the coin toss and went on the long tow to Santa Barbara after a day of towing. Miss Devon broke down about 30 miles out of Ventura and needed to go back to Santa Barbara Harbor. The ocean conditions were sloppy, with a steep, wind driven sea with a short period. The slow going made it a long case and it was after 3:30 am before Captain Paul got to bed. Retriever was the tow boat.

• Two large power boats, Kookaburra and Great Wave, fouled their props while anchored in Fry's Harbor, Santa Cruz Island. The boats were buddy boating out of San Diego. One of the vessels fouled someone else's anchor rode while attempting to set its stern anchor, and the other vessel wrapped its own line while attempting to set a stern anchor. Captains Paul and Jason, on Retriever, responded, with Captain Paul suiting up and getting in the water and Captain Jason standing by on Retriever. One vessel suffered a bent shaft from the wrapped prop, and sought repairs at Ventura Harbor Boatyard. (PHOTO)