A Whale and a Heart Attack

6/14/13
We finally left Viking Marina this morning at 0630 and headed for the tricky Little Egg Inlet.  After getting local knowledge from a Sea Tow Captain, we were assured that exiting was doable.  Just a couple of problems:  we ran aground once and were flagged off of a shoal by some boaters who were stuck on it......but we made it!  The weather was bright and sunny and the winds and waves were no problem. 

(You know it's calm when Duke is this relaxed)
We had just passed Barnegat Inlet when saw a disturbance in the water about 30 yards in front of the boat.  Once we realized what it was, Ron quickly shifted into reverse and the 30+ foot whale went right under our bow.  I looked out my side of the helm and looked down and swear I saw a baby whale down under the mother.  WOW...What an experience.  By the time we found the camera, the whale had disappeared. 

On our last leg of the trip, we were rounding Sandy Hook and a mayday call came through on channel 16.  Because it was an emergency, the entire call was transmitted on 16 for all to hear.  Apparently, a passenger on a 50 foot boat had just had a heart attack and they were seeking help from the Coast Guard.  We realized that the boat was in our vicinity by the description of its location.  The boat flew past us heading for the Sandy Hook Coast Guard Station where EMS personnel were waiting.  The Coast Guard did a great job helping these boaters. 

Our destination today was Great Kills Yacht Club (Staten Island) where we had stayed twice last summer.  What a nice group of members they have.....we alway feel welcomed there.
They have recovered quickly from Hurricane Sandy because the members did the work of replacing docks, fences etc.  Other marinas in the area have not recovered.  This was evidenced by the absence of boats in most of their slips.

This is one of hundreds of boats washed up on shore.