All of us were aware of the unusual weather. In a month when we normally begin enjoying the blossoming of the trees and the warmth of the spring sun, about the time we are packing up our winter clothes and pulling out our summer clothes, we were still pulling our coats snugly around us and walking with our heads down to avoid the sting of the rain and the cold wind.
By Ed & Pam McGrath
Published: June, 2006
All of us were aware of the unusual weather. In a month when we normally begin enjoying the blossoming of the trees and the warmth of the spring sun, about the time we are packing up our winter clothes and pulling out our summer clothes, we were still pulling our coats snugly around us and walking with our heads down to avoid the sting of the rain and the cold wind.
After one of these very unusually cold, wintry nights, we awoke the morning to find snow pack on the aft deck of our boat. We had to step very carefully to make our way up the ice covered dock. The sound of sirens the night before had been barely noticed and regarded as nothing out of the ordinary, but the morning news brought awareness to the astonishing events of the night before.
On March 10, as we slept peacefully, warm and cozy, some not-so-peaceful things had happened in the form of ice and fire.
There had been a horrible 28-car pile up on highway 101 above Sausalito. Temperatures had dropped and caused the road surface to freeze, and drivers unsuspecting of these conditions, and inexperienced in driving in them, were seriously caught off guard. The same night, there was a fire on the tugboat Liberty. Flames danced all over the water that snowy night, but thankfully, the couple who lived aboard along with their dog, were rescued by firefighters. Unfortunately the boat was uninsured and is no longer live-able.
So, after a night of tragically unfortunate incidents, we witnessed the waterfront community rally to help those in need. A family of friends and neighbors joined forces with other folks around Marin to organize a fundraising event to help the Liberty couple purchase a new boat where they will live. No surprise here.
Throughout our years of helping people acquire boats, we have been impressed by the caliber of people who love this way of life. Whether they are behind the helm of a luxury yacht or on a weathered watercraft, boaters are family. Just as our ferry boats are at the ready to launch a rescue, or give aid along with the Coast Guard when needed, when a member of the boating family is in need, there is a response that makes one realize they are members of a unique community.
We’ve experienced firsthand the willingness to lend a hand. Toss a line and someone will help you dock. Mention that you’re thinking about installing a new, well, anything, and you’ll get all kinds of offers of help.
Seriously though, there is a strong tradition of responsibility and obligation for any available vessel to render aid when another vessel is in distress. Boaters customarily demonstrate a willingness to step up and assist in any way they can wherever and whenever there is a need. Yeah, it makes us feel pretty proud to be a member of the family.
