August 2006:

• A Bayliner 20 went from its slip in Channel Islands Harbor Marina to the launch ramp in Channel Islands Harbor. The moving crew was Captains Bev and Paul, and Assist Channel Islands.

• A Bayliner 26 suffered a fuel problem just east of Anacapa Island and called for help. The vessel had no GPS or VHF radio aboard, and the only means of communication, a cell phone, was losing battery power. Captain Tom responded, on Assist Channel Islands, to try to rendezvous with the vessel before darkness. Coast Guard asset 47275, out of USCG station Channel Islands, responded, in effort to monitor the safety of the mariners in the sloppy sea conditions until Vessel Assist could arrive on scene. The mariners were successfully located and safely towed to Channel Islands Harbor.

• Bada Bing, a 38 foot Californian, lost an engine in Channel Islands Harbor and called for Vessel Assist. The boat was headed back to a slip in Mandalay Bay so Captain Paul and Assist Channel Islands gave them some help.

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• A Wellcraft 27, lost engine power between Port Hueneme and Channel Islands Harbor and called for assistance. The Channel Islands Harbor Patrol determined that the boat was in immediate danger due to the close proximity to the beach and responded, rescuing the boat from the predicament and towing it to the fuel dock. Captains Paul and Jason, on Assist Channel Islands, moved the boat from the fuel dock to the launch ramp where it was placed on the owner's trailer.

• Vessel Assist Butter. (PHOTO)

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• Captain Paul and deckhand Michael Hall, responded to the call for assistance from the Bertram 26, Flora Vista, anchored at Smuggler's Anchorage, S.C.I., with a dead battery. A jumpstart from Vessel Assist boat Retriever got the disabled vessel going again, and the mariners were able to make way back to Santa Barbara under their own power.

• An 18 foot Arima lost power near the entrance to Channel Islands Harbor and called Vessel Assist for a tow. The mariner indicated that he was within 50 yards of Hollywood Beach and feared his anchor was dragging so Captain Bev decided that what he needed was not a tow but emergency intervention and asked the Channel Islands Harbor Patrol to render immediate assistance. Since the Harbor Patrol office was within a few hundred yards of the incident they were able to arrive on scene with the disabled boat in the surf within minutes, rendering aid, and preventing this from becoming a life threatening situation.

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• Captain Paul was the long tow guy today, along with Captain Randy and Assist Channel Islands, he responded to the call for a tow from a 29 foot sailboat off of Point Purisima, above Point Arguello. The boat needed to go to Ventura Harbor so the distance made this case a 24 hour run. The mariners picked a good day to round Point Conception, the conditions were flat and calm. (PHOTO)

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• Captain Tom made the run out to Smuggler's Anchorage, S.C.I. to assist Baby Rooster, disabled and unable to make way back to Channel Islands Harbor. Retriever was the tow boat.

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• A 24 foot Searay lost battery power at Goleta Pier and sent out a call for assistance. The boat was able to get a good samaritan to help them out so the tow ended up being a standdown for Captain Tom and Retriever.

• Captain Tom was the Santa Cruz Island guy again. A vessel named Sea Minnow, disabled at Albert's on the backside of the island, called for a tow to Ventura Harbor so Captain Tom and Retriever responded.

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• Captain Randy made the run out to the Anacapa Passage to rescue the Cobalt 19 disabled near the shipping lanes. Captain Randy and Assist Channel Islands safely towed the boat back to Ventura Harbor.

• Captains Paul and Jason went to the rescue of the vessel disabled with dead batteries in the shipping lanes. Without batteries the instrumentation was inoperable, the boat had no GPS, no VHF radio, and no lights. As night approached the mariners launched flares in effort to attract attention, but unfortunately they were never spotted. They then placed a call for help to Vessel Assist on their cell phone, reporting that they were in danger of being run down by commercial shipping traffic. Cell communication was spotty so it was impossible to gather enough information to determine a location for the vessel. At approximately 1900 hours a commercial tug and tow passed close by the boat and was able to report a position so Coast Guard launched their 65 foot cutter to locate and stand by the mariners until Vessel Assist could arrive on scene. It was a Small Craft Advisory so conditions were a little rough, but Captains Paul and Jason, on Retriever, were able to tow the boat safely to Ventura Harbor.

• Captains Bev and Paul moved crewboat, Patrick, from a slip to the large haulout ways at Ventura Harbor Boatyard. Retriever was the tow boat.

• It was Captain Randy, on Retriever, who was off on the rescue of a 26 foot Seaswirl Striper disabled in the shipping lanes. The boat suffered a fire in the engine compartment and the mariners aboard called Vessel Assist for a tow back to Channel Islands Harbor.

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• Captains Randy and Paul, on Retriever, moved a 28 foot Newport sailboat from a slip in Ventura Isle Marina to Ventura Harbor Boatyard.

• Captains Randy and Jason, on Retriever, moved a Newport 30 sailboat, named Querida, from a slip in the Ventura Keys to Anchor's Way Boatyard.

• Captains Randy and Paul were dispatched to bring a 31 foot Hunter sailboat from its private slip in the Ventura Keys to Anchor's Way Boatyard. Maverick was the tow boat.

• It was Captain Randy, along with a boatload of deckhands, who moved the CT-41, Sea Dragon, from the Larry Dudley Yacht Sales docks to a slip in Ventura Harbor Village. The tow boat was Retriever.

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• Captain Kris went to the rescue of the 33 foot Hunter, named Wind Hunter, out of fuel just outside Channel Islands Harbor. The mariners took 5 gallons of diesel but the case turned into a tow anyway and Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands towed the boat to Anacapa Isle Marina.

• Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands responded to the disabled Larson 27 in front of Channel Islands Sport Landing, towing the boat to the Channel Islands launch ramp.

• Captain Paul, on Retriever, went to the rescue of Roughian, a 33 foot Roughwater, disabled in the shipping lanes. By the time Captain Paul got on scene the boat was in imminent danger of being run down by a large commercial ship. The mariners had radioed the Coast Guard to apprise them of the situation but since Captain Paul was already nearby, and a witness to the dangerous scenario developing, he intervened, radioing a warning to the master of the freighter about the little boat in his path, asking him to alter course. It was a lucky outcome, the big freighter managed to miss our guy and the disabled boat was successfully towed back to Channel Islands Harbor.

• Captains Jason, Paul, and Randy moved a 43 foot powerboat, named Genie, from a slip in Westport Village to Anacapa Marine Services Boatyard. Assist Channel Islands was the tow boat.

• Captain Randy went to the rescue of Bobby V, a 26 foot Radon, disabled just south of Pitas Point. The boat had suffered an outdrive failure and called for a tow back to Ventura Harbor. Retriever was the tow boat.

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• Captain Jason, on Maverick, moved the 43 foot Gran Mariner from its slip in Ventura Harbor Village to Anchor's Way Boatyard.

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• Katana, a Newport 30 sailboat, encountered engine failure near the Whale's Tail in Channel Islands Harbor and called Vessel Assist for help. Captain Randy and Assist Channel Islands responded towing the disabled boat back to it's slip in Channel Islands Marina.

• Outboard failure was the problem for the 19 foot Wellcraft near Platform Gina. The mariners were members of Vessel Assist so their situation was soon remedied by a tow back to Channel Islands Harbor from Captain Randy and Assist Channel Islands.

• A Skipjack 20 with starter failure called Vessel Assist for a tow. The boat was in position N 34 deg, 59.197, W 119 deg, 36.460 when the mariners realized the boat would not start. Captain Tom went to their aid, on Assist Channel Islands, towing the boat back to Channel Islands Harbor.

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• Dead batteries were the reason for the call for help from the Blackman 26 in position N 34 deg, 55.742, W 119 deg, 12.681. Captain Paul, on Retriever, got underway to that position but the mariners aboard the disabled boat were able to fix their own problem and continue on their way. Captain Paul stood down and returned to base.

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• A Columbia 22, named 4 Fishermen, suffered engine failure just outside Channel Islands Harbor and called for assistance. Captain Paul, on Retriever, got underway to that position but the mariners were able to handle their problem and stood down Captain Paul and Retriever.

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• A fuel problem was the reason for the call for help from the Bertram 28, Noelle Marie, in Channel Islands Harbor. Captain Tom on Assist Channel Islands towed the boat to Channel Islands Boatyard.

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• A wrapped prop foiled the trip for Mainship 30, Real Owl. The boat was in position N 34 deg, 00.480, W 119 deg, 24.661 when the mariners aboard realized they needed some assistance. Captain Jon, on Assist Channel Islands responded to the call for help. The seas were sloppy but Captain Jon safely towed the boat back to Channel Islands Harbor.

• A ProSport 22 named Catch 22, out for a day of fishing at Smuggler's Anchorage, S.C.I., ended up the wrong way up and in need of assistance. The boat was rolled in the surf and it took the expertise of Captains Randy and Paul, to successfully right it and raise it, and tow it back to Ventura Harbor where it was placed on the owner's trailer. (PHOTO 1) (PHOTO 2) (PHOTO 3) (PHOTO 4)

• It was a dock to dock for Talaria, Catalina 30, from Anchor's Way Boatyard to Ventura Isle Marina. Captain Jason, on Maverick, was the escort for the day.

• Poco Mas, a Columbia 57 sailboat, ran out of fuel six miles out of Santa Barbara Harbor and called Vessel Assist for a fuel drop. Captain Jon got out of bed at 12:30 in the morning and drove down to the boat to do the case. After delivering the fuel, he escorted the sailboat into Santa Barbara Harbor in order to ensure the safety of the mariners aboard. It was 6:30 am before Captain Jon and Assist Channel Islands got back to base.

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• A 21 foot Wilson got Captain Jon out on the water again this afternoon. On Retriever, he left Ventura base bound for Yellow Banks, S.C.I. The mariners were able to fix their problem and make way under their own power back to Channel Islands Harbor so it was a stand down for tired Captain Jon who went home to get some rest.

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• Captain Paul, on Retriever, responded to the Searay 30 disabled in the Anacapa Passage. The boat had lost electrical power so had no GPS or VHF radio and no idea of its position. Good Samaritan, Odyssey, relayed coordinates to Captain Paul and he proceeded to the last known position. A jumpstart remedied the problem so the mariners were able to make way under their own power back to Channel Islands Harbor.

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• A 28 foot custom built sailboat, Astray, ran aground at about midnight just south of Ormonde Beach near Port Hueneme. The mariners aboard the boat which was being battered in the surfzone were rescued by the Coast Guard and transported to the hospital for treatment of head injuries. Vessel Assist was not contacted until late in the afternoon so the boat was left to pound in the surf throughout several tidal fluctuations. Preparations were made to attempt to recover the boat at the low tide early Wednesday morning but the boat was discovered to have been buried in the sand by high tides, so a water recovery was deemed not feasible. Lynn's Heavy Hauling was contacted to remove the boat by land and preparations were begun to move heavy equipment on to the site. The owner of the boat reported that he was confused the the lights at Port Hueneme and thought he was entering Channel Islands Harbor entrance, driving his boat right up on to the beach. It isn't known if a GPS was onboard. (PHOTO 1) (PHOTO 2) (PHOTO 3) (PHOTO 4)

• Captain Randy, onboard Retriever, was the hero of the day responding to the 20 foot Key West disabled south of Platform Gail. The boat was safely towed to Ventura Harbor launch ramp.

• All captains - with the exception of Captain Bev who stayed behind to do a dock to dock - were committed to the salvage and recovery effort for the 28 foot sailboat that went aground near Port Hueneme on August 22nd (story and photos above). Lynn's Heavy Hauling was on scene with earth moving equipment, four wheel drive vehicles, and trailers. The day started early, about 3 am, and the crew worked hard to extricate the boat from its predicament. By noon the little sailboat was successfully liberated from the sand trap it had fallen into. (PHOTO 1) (PHOTO 2) (PHOTO 3) (PHOTO 4) (PHOTO 5) (PHOTO 6) (PHOTO 7) (PHOTO 8)

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• Captain Bev and crew, Maddie and Butterdog, moved the Chriscraft 30 from its slip in Ventura Isle Marina to the Ventura Harbor Boatyard where the boat was scheduled to have its engines pulled. A couple of hours later it was the same trip, in reverse, Ventura Harbor Boatyard to Ventura Isle Marina.

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• Not only did Captain Randy get up at 3 am to work on the salvage of the sailboat, when he was done with that he responded to the mariner disabled just a mile and a half outside of Channel Islands Harbor. The boat was safely towed to the launch ramp in Channel Islands, Assist Channel Islands was the tow boat.

• Captain Randy, on Assist Channel Islands, responded to the call for assistance from Yellowtail, a 20 foot Searay out of luck inside the breakwall in Channel Islands Harbor. The boat was towed to the launch ramp.

• Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands were the rescue team for the Donzi out of Channel Islands. The boat needed assistance in getting back to Channel Islands Harbor Marina.

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• Captain Randy moved the 40 foot Searay from the Ventura Harbor Boatyard small slip to the large hoist. Retriever was the tow boat.

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• Dead batteries were the problem for the 25 foot Chaparral disabled in position N 33 deg, 59.820, W 119 deg, 24.760. Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands responded to the situation and the jump was a joy so the mariner was able to make way under his own power.

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• The Century 24 with engine failure just inside the detached breakwall in Channel Islands Harbor called Vessel Assist for a tow. Captain Kris, on Assist Channel Islands, responded, towing the boat back to the harbor.

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• Vitamin C suffered engine failure in position N 34 deg, 15.108, W 119 deg, 17.869. Captain Randy, on Retriever, answered the call for help towing the boat back to Ventura Harbor.

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• North Sea, a 21 foot Seaswirl lost an engine starter in position N 34 deg, 01.242, W 119 deg, 20.602 and called Vessel Assist. Captain Kris, on Assist Channel Islands, brought the boat back to Channel Islands Harbor.

• Searay 22, Slow Starvation, lost its starter at the Channel Islands Boatyard. Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands towed the boat to the Channel Islands launch ramp.

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• A dismasted Catalina 30 sailboat was the object of Captain Kris' attention. While under sail in moderate seas near Point Mugu the boat lost a backstay, bringing down the whole rig. Bolt cutters were produced by Captain Kris and the debris was jetisoned, enabling the sailboat to continue on under its own power. Captain Kris and Assist Channel Islands escorted the mariners back to Channel Islands Harbor where they safely tied up in their slip in Channel Islands Harbor Marina.

• Captain Randy suited up and used his diving skills to assist a boat at Anacapa Marine Services. The yard crew was unable to place the lifting straps on the boat without the assistance of a diver guiding them to the correct placement.

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• Captains Paul and Randy were the heroes of the day, saving a Catalina 27 from certain destruction on the beach near Channel Islands Harbor. The mariners were adrift in the surfzone and called for assistance, but it was too late and before help could arrive the boat ended up on the beach with everyone onboard swimming to shore. Ventura Harbor Patrol boats 17 and 19 responded as well as boats from Channel Islands Harbor Patrol. Captain Randy suited up - for the second time today - and swam a line in to the beach and attached it to the stranded boat while Captain Paul held station on Retriever just outside the surfzone. Once the line was secured a steady strain was taken and the boat was inched seaward until it finally floated free. It was then towed to Anchor's Way Boatyard for haulout and inspection for damage. (PHOTO 1) (PHOTO 2) (PHOTO 3) (PHOTO 4)

• Our hero, Captain Randy, was the long tow guy today. A 53 foot Carver, Irene the Angel, lost power south of Point Dume on a voyage from San Diego to Ventura Harbor. The mariners aboard the boat called Vessel Assist for a tow at 0430 and Captain Randy got out of bed and drove to Channel Islands Harbor, got onboard Assist Channel Islands and got underway shortly thereafter. It was late afternoon by the time the ultimate destination, Ventura Isle Marina in Ventura Harbor, was achieved.