bbelongie
Active member
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2009
- Messages
- 25
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C (Sterndrive)
- Hull Identification Number
- fmlr2102a203
- Vessel Name
- Queen Bee
- MMSI Number
- 338089601
Well, it was interesting. Brenda and I are now certified as Crew in the USCG Aux. With any luck we will have the QB certified as a facility within the next month, although we will have to have someone else as Coxswain if we want to patrol in our own vessel. No matter. It was challenging and fun and I recommend to anyone who wants to tap into a huge storehouse of knowledge to consider the Auxiliary.
We did take the QB up to show it off and to take her out in our off time. We ended up answering lots of questions, including "So, what 'cha gonna do with that bathtub toy?" This was asked in jest, they already have plans to use us for shepherding Kayaks on moonlight paddles. Besides, we get the last laugh at the fuel dock...
Anyway...
The OPTREX took place at Antlers Resort at Lakehead on Shasta Lake, and it rained non-stop from Thursday afternoon through this morning. (Sunday) Some of the certifications and exercises took place in the rain and wind, adding to the fun.
One thing that I sure learned...the auto-bilge pump does NOTHING unless the switch is actually in the AUTO position...We came down to the dock Saturday afternoon to get ready to take QB out for a little spin to find about 1" of water sloshing around the deck of the wheelhouse. GULP!!! I realized to my horror that I had failed to turn on the pump after mooring and about 6" worth of rainwater was in the bilge and overflowing. So after getting the electric pump going and realizing that I had a LOT of dewatering to do, I got on the Whale manual pump and got to work. 10 minutes of hard labor later she was dry and riding a bit higher. Lesson Learned!
We did take the QB up to show it off and to take her out in our off time. We ended up answering lots of questions, including "So, what 'cha gonna do with that bathtub toy?" This was asked in jest, they already have plans to use us for shepherding Kayaks on moonlight paddles. Besides, we get the last laugh at the fuel dock...
Anyway...
The OPTREX took place at Antlers Resort at Lakehead on Shasta Lake, and it rained non-stop from Thursday afternoon through this morning. (Sunday) Some of the certifications and exercises took place in the rain and wind, adding to the fun.
One thing that I sure learned...the auto-bilge pump does NOTHING unless the switch is actually in the AUTO position...We came down to the dock Saturday afternoon to get ready to take QB out for a little spin to find about 1" of water sloshing around the deck of the wheelhouse. GULP!!! I realized to my horror that I had failed to turn on the pump after mooring and about 6" worth of rainwater was in the bilge and overflowing. So after getting the electric pump going and realizing that I had a LOT of dewatering to do, I got on the Whale manual pump and got to work. 10 minutes of hard labor later she was dry and riding a bit higher. Lesson Learned!