Come see what happened when I went boating this past weekend!

This past Memorial Day weekend, I traveled with some friends to my house in Seal Harbor, Maine. One of the highlights of being in that beautiful corner of the world is to spend a little time on the water. We went for a rather chilly cruise aboard my Hinckley Picnic boat – Skylands II. While off the coast of Mount Desert Island, we were paid a surprise visit from the US Coat Guard! Come see my photos.

Here we are being approached by the U.S. Coast Guard, who asked us to prepare for an inspection-boarding. The sea was a bit rough and they granted us permission to motor into Seal Harbor for the procedure.

Kevin was all wrapped up and napping soundly when the Coast Guard stopped us.

The Coast Guard has many boats like these patrolling the coastal waters - I always feel very safe when I see one of these very fast, well-equipped vessels.

The Coast Guard circling Skylands II, as I prepare to restart and move into the calmer waters of the
Harbor.

 

My 'Captain' Bryan Dow, talking to the officers.

Strong, handsome, and friendly - they were doing their job, inspecting pleasure craft, as well as fishing and commercial vessels for appropriate safety equipment and licenses.

Francesca could not figure out what was going on - I think she wanted to make sure she had her life jacket aboard - we always keep the halters and leashes on the dogs, just in case.

As we pulled up to one side of the Seal Harbor Yacht Club dock, the Coast Guard vessel pulled up on the other.

here they come

 

Bryan is also my property manager in Maine and is a retired coast guard officer himself.

This was our first day out in the boat this season and fortunately, I had carefully checked the safety equipment - the life jackets, the life preserver, the survival suits, and flares before we took off that afternoon -  Bryan had done an excellent job of readying the boat for the summer's outings.

Brian is discussing the EPIRB - Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon - with one of the officers.  If needed, this location device uses satellite signals so that rescuers can find you.

My friend, Charles Simonyi, smiling during the boarding process - he has a boat, also, and understands the necessity of proper safety equipment, drills, and procedures.

The inspection was successful - we were not in violation and we passed muster.  As owner, I had to sign an electronic form.

 

Brian discussing more details

 

Notice that Francesca has watched the entire procedure with great interest - luckily, she didn't bark.

The Coast Guard left us in good humor and said it would be okay to post the experience on my blog.

 

Comments

[JulieAnn]

Cool! My husband is a Coastie :) I'm glad you had a good experience with them! Good job for having everything set :)

And you're right - strong, handsome and friendly are good words to describe Coasties!!

[MMC from San Diego]

Hi Martha!

It's nice to see the stars and stripes against a bright blue sky on Memorial Day weekend. Glad the inspection went well.

[Gladys Marie]

Wow! Glad you could post! Really pretty scenery..love the water..respect the USCG..Great going Martha, Boat Owner! :-)

[michael anthamatten]

Martha I wish I had the sense of ease that Francesca has. She is so cute. As you said during Paw Paw's loss she is a little 'grand gargoyle'. This experience is a good reminder of boat safety, and being a responsible boat owner. Enjoy your summer, and continue to surprise and amaze us.

Michael
Muskogee, Oklahoma

[Peter Stinson]

Ms. Stewart, glad to hear your experience with the Coast Guard boarding team was a positive one. Over at AN UNOFFICIAL COAST GUARD BLOG, I posted about your post... I also "lifted" a picture from your post (with attribution); hope that's okay. If you'd like me to take it down, just let me know. Best comms to me is at http://www.contactify.com/9931a.

Keep safe out there... and consider buying inflatable PFDs and wearing them whenever underway. Life jackets don't do much good if you're not wearing them, and the water off the Maine coast is quite cold; you'd be surprised how little time it will take to do you in.

[Geri]

Well your life is certainly never boring! LOL

[Hardboiledegg]

What colorful photos so much red white and blue. I'm proud to be an American. You know Paula Deen 's husband is a tugboat captain. You cook book authors have the bounding main in common

[Kathy]

Hi, Martha,
Thanks for taking us along aboard Skylands II and showing us the steps of the inspection process. I'm glad you passed! Knowing the Coast Guard is patrolling the waters is reassuring. Francesca certainly does look interested.
Kathy

[Maureen]

Enjoyed reading your blog first thing this morning with a cup of coffee. You had an interesting cruise to say the least!! Great pics as usual.

[Trish]

It does not surprise me that your boat is up-to-par and that it passed inspection with the coast guard; you are not a substandard type person! Francesca is so inquisitive; I love the way she just watches everything. And you make me smile the way you say Charles 'has a boat too'. What did you bring for lunch; lobster sandwiches maybe? Trish

[Ellen]

HI Martha,
Great post, the picture of little Francesca really made me smile! Glad you had a good and safe trip. My husband and I are thinking of going up to Maine for our anniversary this year.

[Linda Carson]

Martha, you didn't tell us what the Coast Guard's reaction was when they realized you were on the boat! Imagine the conversations with their families when they got home that night..."Hey, Hon, you'll never guess who I ran into today..."

I'm lovin' those pictures of adorable, well-behaved Francesca.

http://the7msn.blogspot.com/

[Darrell White]

I'm surprised the coast guard allowed pictures to be taken. I'm sure they were as surprised to see you as you were to see them :)

[Jon]

Hi Martha,
What an exciting adventure at sea! It made for a very interesting posting. The funny thing is. . .I can not begin to imagine your boat NOT being in compliance with ALL rules and regulations.
Have a great weekend.

[Bill (From Mount Desert Island, Maine)]

Dear Martha,

Neighborly Island greetings from Mount Desert Island and Northeast Harbor ... where on the day that you had your picture-perfect (yet chilly) day boating around the Island ... and of course, where you had your exciting rendezvous with the US Coast Guard, I just happened to be sitting in my LL Bean wilderness recliner chair from the other quiet (commercial) dock in Seal Harbor quietly soaking up the sun, listening to the cries of the sea gulls and the melodic sounds of waves lapping up against the dock ... hoping for an unscheduled (but sometimes during the weekdays, typical) mid to late afternoon return of some of the lobster boats so to buy a Memorial Day lobster.

Unfortunately (as I later learned from your "Captain" Bryan who brought your beautiful "Skylands II" Hinckley boat to the dock where I was sitting (so to hose down/off the salt water), it being a Sunday, no lobstermen apparently were fishing that day and although I later left the dock minus a hopeful lobster dinner, I did take with me a wonderful memory of that beautiful spring day ... and of course, briefly seeing you and later, a close-up view of your stunningly beautiful "Skylands II" Hinckley picnic boat!

As I almost always carry my digital camera (in my "Life Is Good" backpack) everywhere I go (mainly for nature and scenic images ... particularly here in beautiful Acadia National Park), I luckily had my camera with me on that beautiful Sunday afternoon and was able to (with your "Captain" Bryan's kind permission) snap a couple of pics of your beautiful "Skylands II" on the dock where I was sitting ... as well as some (earlier) of you and your party (from a distance at the other dock) with the US Coast Guard (which out of respect for your privacy won't be shared with anyone) ... and would be happy to give those to you for your photo memories album (if you are interested, of course). I gave Bryan my card and some contact information.

And yes, I too (and we all must) commend the untiring and protective efforts of our US Coast Guard ... not only here on Mount Desert Island in the Gulf of Maiane, but also those who patrol all of our coastal borders. I once closely worked with the son of a former US Coast Guard's Admiral (Yost) when I worked many years ago on the Hill in DC for a US Congressman and these brave (and sadly, sometimes forgotten) sentries and protectors of our borders deserve our heartfelt thanks ... especially during these unsettling times. Thank you for highlighting and sharing your positive US Coast Guard meeting and weekend experience with us!

Again, Martha, it was wonderful seeing you again. Take care, have a wonderful, relaxing (and well deserved) summer vacation (although we all know that you are always creatively at work on multiple projects) both here in Maine and wherever your travels may take you.

Warmest best wishes,
Bill
Northeast Harbor, Maine

[Lori Stewart]

I love to get away from it all and go boating. Getting an impromptu inspection would have sweetened the pot for me. Something about a man in uniform!

I would mention to others that everyone who goes boating should consider taking the U.S. Power Squadron Course.

[ShopLittleGifts]

What a nice day to be outside. We live in the Bay Area and sometimes go out for catamaran rides by the Golden Gate bridge. On a bright sunny day - it's just so beautiful. The coast guards seem nice :) I wonder if Francesca knows how to swim.

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, What a beautiful day you had on your first boat outing of the season! Your photos are absolutely gorgeous and the colors are absolutely stunning! It looks like everyone on your boat had a fantastic time, especially Francesca. It's nice to see the Coast Guard doing their usual good job. Thanks again for sharing. Jan

[Jill]

Love the orange upholstery on the boat.

[Tall Clover Farm]

We've been enjoying added Coast Guard patrols with our ferries in Puget Sound. I commend the Coast Guard for not commandeering your vessel and confiscating your picnic basket. I can hear it now, "Those crabcakes look suspicious Ms. Stewart. We better check those out." No doubt, the best meal in Maine that day.

[April Jackson]

What a successful day you all had with weather and the Coast Guard inspection. Looking at the photo of Kevin the waters looked mighty wavey. Just a suggestion and don't take it wrong but have ALL your lifejackets out within reach or better yet on in case of any unexpected accidents and have one on that little cutie pie Francesca at all times-before she hits the dock to board. Just a Mom looking out for you.
Please and thank you.
April

[Louise]

Oh my gosh, Martha, your comment: "My friend, Charles Simonyi...has a boat..." made me laugh. Are you referring to SKAT? Yeah, I'd say he has a boat. His yatch is bigger than most people's homes!!! Anyway, glad you had a nice time with the coast guard. Your blog is fun. I read it often.

[Tracey]

Love your blog Martha. Francesca is adorable. Might I suggest life jackets for the dogs. Most people I know who boat with their dogs have them and one in particular was glad she did.

Thanks for sharing all your adventures!
Tracey

[Phil Sweeney]

Hello Martha,

Glad your inspection went well...you have to love the coast of Maine...one of the handsome young men that boarded your vessel was my son, Petty Officer 3rd Class Taylor Sweeney. He has been on watch there at SWH for a little over a year. I am a native of Maine, and enjoyed seeing your pictures on your blog. Brings back plenty of memories...I certainly hope your summer sailings are full of adventure...with any luck at all you will not see the Coast Guard until next year for another inspection...Enjoy!

[michele]

Hello Martha,

As always anything you blog or write about is like poetry.

Now when i go boating on my small yacht :) I won't be paranoid if the coast guard come calling.

And now thanks to you Martha I know what the yacht has to have to be in compliance.

By the way you really deserved that Franklin award. Because you are as smart as Ben Franklin that's for sure.

And you show today about the Nantucket baskets, OMG I want one.
I so want one. But it wouln't be the same unless i also lived in that venue. Someday :)

Also loved the pickle making, the bird painting, stamps, it was a really fun show.
as they all are.
But how do you never age?
you never do.
Thats so cool :)

regards,
michele
the crafty cameleon