I will stop this flame war.  Bob, you still missed my point.  I 

I will stop this flame war. Bob, you still missed my point. I apologized to you. I heaped preaise upon the Coast Guard.....well deserved praise. Still doesn't cover the fact that they screwed up. That was my point. When I find the energy and time, I just may get to the very bottom of this......until then, Trawler on, John

Below are links to websites that are probably old hat to many of the listees but there may be some new people who'd like more info available from these sites. I especially appreciate detailed info about local area modifications to ship channels that directly affect the safety of boaters in an area. http://www.uscg.mil/news/cgnews.shtm For up to date safety and news affecting boaters and boating. Can easily identify specific boating areas from this page. http://www.uscgboating.org For a variety of info but attention to safety statistics http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/ This site is for the Houston area but can be used to locate other areas for quick forecasts of any specific area. http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/trawler-world-list

 I will stop this flame war.  Bob, you still missed my point.  I

> I will stop this flame war. Bob, you still missed my point. I > apologized to you. I heaped preaise upon the Coast Guard.....well deserved > praise. Still doesn't cover the fact that they screwed up. That was my > point. I don't think I missed the point and your apology to me is not necessary, but thanks. This is not a flame war as far as I am concerned....it is an exchange of opinions and a presentation facts and theories of a CG rescue attempt. Those reading have to decide for themselves what position they will take, just as the threads on twins vs. single engine, trawlers vs. sailboats blah blah blah. John, if you took it personally, I apologize. It is my aim to say that I support the CG and it's attempt to complete it's many varied missions as copied below. This is a group of only 30,000 or so *volunteers* that need our support...not bashed when things go wrong. I know they make mistakes. So what, we all do, and don't they always happen when we least desire...like someone else watching? When the negative is the only thing reported, we tend to assume that the whole ball of wax is tainted. For the question asked......do they know what they are doing?.........I say all are trained well....most make excellent decisions under extreme pressure and some make incorrect decisions from time to time. That's life. Their numerous accomplished missions speak for themselves. Maritime Safety ______________ Search and Rescue Marine Safety Recreational Boating Safety International Ice Patrol Maritime Mobility _______________ Aids to Navigation Icebreaking Services Bridge Administration Vessel Traffic / Waterways Management Maritime Security ________________ Drug Interdiction Alien Migrant Interdiction EEZ & Living Marine Resource Law / Treaty Enforcement General Maritime Law Enforcement National Defense __________________ General Defense Duties Homeland Security Port and Waterways Security Polar Icebreaking Protection of Natural Resources ______________________ Marine Pollution Education, Prevention, Response & Enforcement Foreign Vessel Inspections Living Marine Resources Protection Marine and Environmental Science Capt. Bob Clinkenbeard http://dreamwater.net/twinscrews/ M/V Twin Screws 1964 Chris Craft Roamer 56'