July 2006:

• It was a midnight case that took Captain Kris and Retriever offshore looking for a small sailboat disabled near Platform Gail. The mariners were enroute to the Ventura Harbor Keys from Smugglers Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island, when their outboard failed. There was no GPS onboard so Captain Kris had his work cut out for him finding the vessel in the dark. Captain Kris always finds his man so the boat and its occupants were soon safely delivered to their home slip.

• Kookaburra called Vessel Assist for help in getting to the docks of Ventura Harbor Boatyard after crossing the Santa Barbara Channel on one engine. It was Captain Kris and Retriever who went to the assistance of the mariners, meeting them inside the harbor and helping them tie up at the VHBY docks where their boat will undergo repairs to the shaft that was bent in the anchoring incident at Frys Harbor, Santa Cruz Island on 6/29/06.

---

• Felicity, a 44 foot Van de Meer steel sailboat, lost its engine while at Santa Cruz Island. The mariners sailed the boat across the channel and called Vessel Assist to help them get back to their slip in the Ventura Keys. Retriever, with Captains Bev and Paul, met them outside the harbor entrance and follwed them in, hipping up in order to hold station while the sailboat dropped sail. The boat was then safely hip-towed back to its private slip and tied up.

---

• Lauri Sue, a Searay 32, disabled in position N 34 deg 10.1, W 119 deg 13.5, called Vessel Assist for a tow back in to Channel Islands Harbor. Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands responded.

---

• Wind Spirit, a Catalina 30, lost its engine in position N 34 deg 00.8, W 119 deg 14.2. The mariners sailed the boat back to Channel Islands Harbor and Captain Kris assisted them into their slip.

---

• A 24 foot Searay in position N 34 deg 01.910, W 119 deg 31.260, called Vessel Assist for a fuel drop. Captain Kris responded on Assist Channel Islands.

---

• Captains Paul and Jason, on Retriever, went to the assistance of Onasai, a 32 foot powerboat disabled in Channel Islands Harbor. The boat was safely towed to its home slip in Mandalay Bay.

---

• A Larson 28 suffered transmission failure at Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island. National Park Rangers relayed for the disabled vessel since their VHF radio was inoperable. It was Captain Kris who responded, taking the vessel in tow to Channel Islands launch ramp.

---

• Yet another Searay fell by the wayside today. Captains Paul and Jason, on Retriever, answered the call for help from the Searay with engine failure approximately 13 miles out of Ventura Harbor, towing it back to a slip in Ventura Isle Marina.

• Captain Jon assisted a mariner on a 24 foot Bayliner from his slip in Vintage Marina, Channel Islands Harbor, to the launch ramp. Assist Channel Islands was the tow boat.

---

• Captain Kris and Retriever responded to the Crealock 37, 35 miles out of Ventura. The boat was making two knots under sail and asked for a tow into Santa Barbara Harbor. By the time Captain Kris got to the boat, got it in tow, delivered it to Santa Barbara, and returned to base it was 3 am.

---

• Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands assisted Sunday Delight, an electric boat disabled in Channel Islands Harbor, back to its home slip in Mandalay Bay.

• A 43 foot powerboat, named Pinnacle, lost its engine about 15 miles south of Channel Islands Harbor. It was Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands who went to the rescue, towing the boat back to Channel Islands Harbor.

---

• Captains Bev and Paul went out to Frenchy's Cove, Anacapa Island, to retrieve a custom powerboat with a failed transmission. National Park Rangers assisted the mariners to a protected location and helped them anchor so that they would be safe until Vessel Assist boat Retriever could get on scene. The disabled boat was towed to the launch ramp in Channel Islands Harbor. (PHOTO)

• Bayliner 35, Love 2 Cruise, lost one engine while transitting from Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, to Channel Islands Harbor. The mariner called Vessel Assist for help getting back into her slip in Channel Islands Harbor Marina since it was a tricky location, right next to the rocks. It was Captains Bev and Paul on Assist Channel Islands who responded.

---

• A 42 foot Silverton, The Other Office, went from its slip in Ventura Isle Marina, to Ventura Harbor Boatyard. It was Captain Jason and Retriever who moved the boat, along with Captain Paul as deckhand.

---

• Restless Heart, a Cal 34 out of Channel Islands Harbor, called for assistance. The sailboat was out of fuel and had sailed across the channel from Santa Cruz Island and needed help getting back into its slip in Channel Islands Harbor Marina. Captains Bev and Paul, on Assist Channel Islands, gave them a hand.

• Captains Jason and Paul moved a CT-41, named Sea Dragon, from the Larry Dudley Yacht Sales docks to Anchor's Way Boatyard, where it was scheduled for a buyer's survey. The tow boat was Retriever.

---

• Captains Bev and Paul moved a Catalina 30, named Stella Luna, from its slip in Ventura Isle Marina to Anchor's Way Boatyard. Retriever was the tow boat.

---

• Captain Paul, on Retriever, was dispatched to Chinese Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, to tow a Wellcraft 23, named Family Man, back to Ventura Harbor. It was sloppy conditions across the channel, making for a long tow. (PHOTO)

• CT-41, Sea Dragon, went back to the Larry Dudley Yacht Sales docks from Anchor's Way Boatyard. Retriever was the tow boat and the captains were Bev and Paul.

---

• Phase II, a 28 foot powerboat, went from a slip in Ventura Isle Marina to Anchor's Way Boatyard. Captains Bev and Paul, on Retriever, were the moving crew.

• Gypsy, a Catalina 30 with no engine, needed a tow out of its slip in Ventura Habor and out to the wind line. Captain Tom, on Retriever, obliged the mariners onboard. The boat was a donated vessel and was headed to Southern California.

---

• Turbo Teri, a Searay 46, lost engine power about 4 miles out of Ventura Harbor. Captain Paul, on Retriever, responded to the call, towing the boat back to its slip in Ventura Isle Marina.

---

• A 26 foot Bayliner found itself disabled just outside of Santa Barbara Harbor. Captain Tom and Maverick responded, towing the boat into Santa Barbara for repairs. The vessel's homeport was Channel Islands Harbor.

• Headhunter, a 25 foot Bayliner, lost power just one mile off Port Hueneme. Captain Tom responded on Assist Channel Islands, towing the boat back to Anacapa Isle Marina.

---

• A Searay 25 suffered engine failure just off Carpinteria Pier and called Vessel Assist for a tow back to Santa Barbara. It was Captain Tom's turn so he responded on Retriever. Dense fog rolled in, slowing the trip home and making it a lengthy case.

---

• A Columbia 52 sailboat, Victoria, lost the wind and called Vessel Assist for a tow to Santa Barbara. The wind returned though, blowing away the fog and giving the sailboat some lift, so the mariners stood down Captain Tom and Retriever and continued under their own power.

---

• Engine failure claimed another Bayliner. A 26 footer found itself disabled in position N 34 deg 24.674, W 119 deg 38.430 and called for assistance. Captain Tom and Maverick answered the call, towing the boat in to Santa Barbara Harbor.

• Captains Bev and Paul moved a Carver 36, Ruby Pearl, from its slip in Ventura Isle Marina to Ventura Harbor Boatyard for an engine pull, and then back to its slip again. The tow boat was Retriever.

---

• A 28 foot Bayliner went from Vintage Marina, Channel Islands Harbor, to Ventura Harbor Boatyard. It was Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands who dragged the boat between harbors for the three hour tow.

---

• Captain Kris went after the Cruisers 22 disabled in the surf line just outside Channel Islands Harbor. The boat lost its engine with five people on board and called Vessel Assist for help. The mariners had just purchased the boat a few days prior to the incident.

---

• A 21 foot Martin ran out of gas in the separation zone of the shipping lanes in the Santa Barbara Channel. The mariners were not members of Vessel Assist so the tow was a costly one, it took Captain Kris five hours to deliver fuel and return to base on Retriever.

• Captain Paul and deckhand Michael Hall went to the assistance of a Searay 30 named Grandpa Rocks, disabled near Anacapa Island. The boat suffered a steering malfunction and had been wandering around in the fog, after leaving Chinese Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, attempting to steer by using the engines alone. Assist Channel Islands was the tow boat for the tow back into Channel Islands Harbor.

---

• A small powerboat named Annihalator called for a delivery of starter fluid when one of its engines failed to start while anchored at Albert's Anchorage on the backside of Santa Cruz Island. All communications were subsequently lost, cell phone coverage on the backside of the island is not consistent, and the mariner's radio was malfunctioning, so preparations were made to get underway to assist them at the their last known position. Subsequently, the mariners were able to get their problem sorted out, but they did not notify Vessel Assist of the fact. Captain Paul was dispatched, on Maverick, and it was only when he happened to pass by the previously disabled boat, on his way to the islands, that he became aware that it had been able to get the problem handled and make way under its own power.

• It was Captain Paul again, who in the early morning hours was dispatched to the backside of Santa Cruz Island. A 22 foot Grady White named Tideline needed a jumpstart. Retriever was the response boat.

---

• Captain Paul surveyed the scene of the grounded vessel, Five G's, at Chinese Harbor, Santa Cruz Island. The vessel mysteriously took on water Tuesday, July 11th during the night, causing the loss of two crew members. The accident is currently under Coast Guard investigation. (PHOTO)

---

• The mariners aboard sailboat Blue Swan, disabled in Channel Islands Harbor, were happy that they had completed their trip to the islands before their boat developed an electrical problem. They made it almost all the way back to their home slip before suffering the malfunction. Captains Bev and Paul, on Assist Channel Islands, helped them back into their slip in Channel Islands Harbor Marina.

• Captain Kris started early this Saturday morning. He and Retriever moved a Westsail 32, named Destiny, from Ventura Harbor Boatyard back to its homeslip in Ventura Isle Marina.

---

• Captain Kris was off again, after finishing up the dock to dock in Ventura Harbor, to assist a Searay disabled near Platform Gina. The disabled boat needed a tow back to the launch ramp in Channel Islands Harbor. Assist Channel Islands was the tow boat.

---

• It was 24 Searay day for Vessel Assist Ventura. Captain Kris was off after another one anchored at Little Scorpion, Santa Cruz Island, in need of a jump start. The jump was a joy so the mariners were able to make way under their own power back to Santa Barbara Harbor. Assist Channel Islands was the tow boat.

---

• Captains Jason and Paul were dispatched on a search and recovery mission. A 23 foot Parker which had been anchored near Point Mugu went adrift while the owner was surfing. When the owner came back to the location where he had left it the boat was missing. By the time Captains Paul and Jason got underway to begin the search it was dark and a difficult search was made more challenging. Additionally, radar was useless due to the small size of the missing boat and the rough sea state. A thorough search of the surfzone in a southerly direction was conducted and the missing boat was eventually found. It was 2 am before everyone was back at base and the missing boat was secured to the docks. (PHOTO)

• Captain Kris and Retriever went after a 20 foot Skipjack, disabled just outside Ventura Harbor, towing the boat back to Ventura.

---

• Celtic Traveller, a Mayflower 48 sailboat, disabled in position N 34 deg, 21.1, W 120 deg, 10.7, northwest of Santa Barbara, called Vessel Assist for a tow to the harbor. A Sea Tow member, the boat was dependent upon Vessel Assist for the tow since there are no Sea Tow boats north of Marina del Rey. Captain Kris and Retriever responded.

• A Stealth Cat 42, suffered engine failure and called Vessel Assist for a tow. Captains Jason and Paul reponded, towing the boat back to its slip in Anchor's Way Marina. Retriever was the tow boat.

• A 36 foot Carver named Olac was about 3/4 mile outside Ventura Harbor when it suffered a short in the engine compartment. The skipper believed he had an engine fire due to the smoke, and placed his passengers, including a four year old girl, in a skiff for safety before placing a radio distress call. Captains Jason and Paul responded to the call with both RIBs, Maverick and Retriever. Coast Guard station Channel Islands also responded with a boat, as did Ventura Harbor Patrol. Ventura Harbor Patrol Boat 19 was the first on scene with the mariners. When the situation had been stabilized and the fire was out, Captain Jason took the disabled boat under tow and brought it into the harbor, hipping Retriever to it, and then putting it away in its slip at Ventura Yacht Sales.

• Captains Paul and Bev moved the National Park Service landing craft, Surf Ranger, from the Park Service docks to Ventura Harbor Boatyard for haulout. Retriever was the tow boat.

---

• Captain Kris went to the assistance of Idle Time, disabled in position N 34 deg, 01.784, W 119 deg, 28.882. The boat lost an engine belt and needed a tow back to Channel Islands Harbor. Assist Channel Islands was the tow boat.

---

• Captain Paul went to the aid of Union Jack, a Skipjack 20, with a starter problem disabled in position N 34 deg, 01.6, W 119 deg, 31.0. The boat was headed to Ventura Harbor. Maverick was the tow boat.

---

• Before Captain Paul could finish up the case with the Skipjack, a second call came in from a sailboat, named Minnow, out of wind in the middle of the Santa Barbara Channel. The boat was headed to Channel Islands Harbor so it was a long case for Captain Paul who didn't get home until 7:30 in the morning, after towing all night. Retriever was the tow boat.

• A Seaswirl Striper disabled approximately 13 miles out of Channel Islands Harbor called for assistance. Captains Paul and Jason responded, on Assist Channel Islands.

---

• Captains Paul and Jason, after finishing up the Seaswirl, responded to the call from Weekend Hooker, a 25 foot Grady White, disabled in position N 34 deg 06. 900, W 119 deg, 25. 165. The disabled boat needed to go to the Ventura Harbor launch ramp so Retriever was the tow boat.

• Captains Jason and Paul moved Catalina 30, Stella Luna, from Anchor's Way Marine Center to its slip in Ventura Isle Marina. Retriever was the tow boat.

---

• Mouse Pad called for assistance at the entrance to Ventura Harbor. Captains Jason and Paul responded on Retriever, towing the boat back to its slip.

---

• Smoke coming out of the engine compartment was the problem for Uniflite 28, Gus Gus. The vessel had just left Ventura Harbor when the smoke became apparent to everyone onboard. Fortunately, Captains Jason and Paul were already at the entrance to the harbor on Retriever getting ready to put Mouse Pad in tow, so they diverted to render immediate assistance to the smoking vessel. The boat was safely towed to Anchor's Way Boatyard.

• Captain Tom started this weekend early. On Assist Channel Islands, he responded to the 22 foot Grady White named Wicked Walu, disabled in position N 34 deg, 06.561, W 119 deg, 18.655, towing the boat back to Channel Islands Harbor.

---

• 24 Skipjack , disabled in position N 34 deg, 00.59, W 119 deg, 32.59, called for assistance. Captain Tom, on Assist Channel Islands, responded towing the boat back to Channel Islands Harbor.

• 56' foot powerboat, Mariselle, ran out of fuel in position N 34 deg, 14, W 119 deg, 28. Captain Tom, on Assist Channel Islands, dropped 30 gallons of diesel for the mariners so that they could complete their trip to Channel Islands Harbor under their own power.

---

• Captain Jon, on Assist Channel Islands, went to the aid of the boat disabled at Smuggler's Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island, towing the boat back to Channel Islands Harbor.

---

• Captain Tom and Retriever went to the aid of the boat named Valhalla anchored at Willow's Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island. The mariners were headed back to Channel Islands Harbor so it was a long tow for Captain Tom. Ten hours had passed by the time he returned to the docks in Ventura.

• Vietnamese fishing boat, Than Tung, suffered engine failure while on a voyage from Long Beach to Ventura requiring Coast Guard assistance. The Coast Guard would only tow the boat to Channel Islands Harbor, however, so the boat owner had to call Vessel Assist for a tow the rest of the way to Ventura Harbor. Captain Kris, and Assist Channel Islands, towed the boat to Ventura, a three hour tow, but the big fishing boat's helm was locked hard over to port, so once inside the harbor, close quarter maneuvering became tricky. Captains Jason and Paul, on Retriever, showed up to lend a helping hand, pushing the boat around and helping Captain Kris get it in the slip without incident.

• Captains Jason and Paul moved a Catalina 38, named Talaria, from its slip at Ventura Yacht Sales to Anchor's Way Boatyard. Retriever was the tow boat.

• Captains Paul and Jason, on Retriever, moved the Cheoy Lee sailboat, Deliverance, back to its slip at Ventura Yacht Club. The boat had been hauled out at Anchor's Way Boatyard for some maintenance.

---

• Captain Paul suited up and dived on a boat just launched from Anchor's Way Boatyard, to have a look at the prop. The problem was soon sorted out and the boat was on its way to a new home slip in Channel Islands Harbor.

---

• Captains Jason and Paul went to the assistance of a 27 foot Searay, out of fuel south of Ventura Harbor. Retriever was the towboat.

• Captain Kris went after the 26 foot Formula, out of fuel in position N 34 deg, 07.214, W 119 deg, 25.385, towing the boat back to Channel Islands Harbor. Assist Channel Islands was the tow boat.

• Captain Kris and Retriever went to the assistance of four mariners aboard a Catalina 25, disabled at the entrance to Ventura Harbor. The mariners had managed to anchor while awaiting help, and once Captain Kris arrived on scene the boat was safely towed back to its slip in Ventura West Marina.

---

• A mariner called and requested a tow for his Bayliner 25, from a slip in Channel Islands Harbor Marina, to the launch ramp. Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands were the moving crew.

---

• Pai Keya, a Beneteau 36, suffered engine failure a few miles out of Ventura Harbor. The mariners aboard called Vessel Assist for help in getting back in to their slip in Ventura Isle Marina. Captain Kris and Retriever met them at the entrance and assisted them.

---

• Captains Bev and Paul, on Retriever, went to the aid of Bobby V, a 26 foot Radon disabled off of Emma Wood State Beach. The boat was towed to the Ventura Harbor launch ramp.

---

• A 25 foot Wellcraft, named I'm Easy, anchored at Cueva Valdez S.C.I., lost its engine and called Vessel Assist for a tow back to Ventura Harbor. It was a long case for Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands, nine hours had passed before the mariners were safely delivered to the launch ramp and Kris and the boat were able to return to base.

---

• Captain Paul responded to the call for help from the Searay 40, Family Jewels. The vessel had suffered engine failure a few miles out of Channel Islands Harbor and needed a tow back to its home slip in Mandalay Bay. Retriever was the tow boat.

• Captains Jason and Paul moved a 26 foot Bounty from a slip in Mandalay Bay to the Channel Islands launch ramp. Assist Channel Islands was the tow boat.

---

• Sundancer, a Searay 28, called for a tow after suffering an overheated engine. The boat did not have a GPS onboard, but Coast Guard located it and relayed a position of N 34 deg, 00.749, W 119 deg, 21.02. The destination for the tow was Channel Islands so Captain Jon was dispatched on Assist Channel Islands.