Thursday, April 28, 2011
Friday, May 28, 2010
The Humble Hero
May 13th, 2010
Opening day for Halibut fishing! How few and far inbetween these days are my husband headed to Newport with 2 buddies for a Thursday, Friday, Saturday go at the ugly butt! Weather seemed to be okay, as usual the ocean would be rocky but I know my man, and he would not risk it if there was any doubt in his mind. I get a text at 5:15am that the ocean looked good and they were heading out. Througout the morning he sent me his coordinates via Spot, this way I knew all was well and could log on and see his progress via satelite.
Just a little after 12pm my phone rings, it was him already! I was elated he was back to port so soon, anticipating news of a full boat of Halibut. So I ask for the fishing report in my usual sarcastic way, and get a quick almost somber reply of 1. I am of course joking around assuming he is tired, not only did his day start early but riding the tide, and fishing the bottom of the ocean with the baited weight equal to that of a 2lb sugar bag takes it out of you. Plus he was the Captain/pilot. I was like come on you're kidding. I get a short reply back of no, just the 1, the day turned into a rescue operation. Immediately my brain starts wheeling and asking questions. All I get is, we are back safe and sound, we got 3 guys out of the water and the USCG took them off the boat, I will call you later.
Well, later turned into alot later. I did not hear from him until after 8pm that night. That was the longest 8 hours. Given very limited details, I am surfing websites looking for details, I am starting to wonder if he is okay, what really happened out there, did it scare him etc. Finally I get his version of the details. Nothing big, there was a boat out there within view all of a sudden it was capsized, he drove over there immediately and got the 3 men into the boat. Holy crap was the word of the day. I ask for details, and more details, but nope that was it. It was a 25' boat the ocean was soupy, but no biggie. Wow, is all that is going threw my mind. He calls me at 10:30p to say goodnight as they are heading out again at 5a the next day. Well between 8p and 10p they were at a bar for happy hour for dinner and all the talk of the town and dock is about the crew that rescued the capsized boat. The Captain of the other boat had posted an email to Naeem thanking him and the crew for he was on dry land and in his bed safe and sound. He was having a hard time going to sleep and wanted to tell him thanks. It was then that I was curious of what exactly happened out on the Pacific Ocean. I find these recounts from the members of the capsized boat at I-fish.net:
1 week later Howard pops up on Facebook chat. He was on the boat that day and was asking if he should reply to all the comments and threads on I-fish because what Naeem did was more than heroic. He implemented and deligated a rescue plan without blinking an eye and went immediately bucking into the tide to the adrift captain and crew members of the overturned boat. I was shocked, I was like what are you talking about. Come to find out all the details of that day and that not only did he rescue them and get them in the boat, he was facing unbelievable elements. Howard told me he would never fish with another captain on the ocean again. That the acute and minute manuevers and quick and calm thinking made the rescue a success. At that moment I had never been more proud of my husband, my friend, my children's Father. What a humble man, a hero to the 3 men who's boat went belly up on the beautiful beast we know and love as the Pacific Ocean.
Opening day for Halibut fishing! How few and far inbetween these days are my husband headed to Newport with 2 buddies for a Thursday, Friday, Saturday go at the ugly butt! Weather seemed to be okay, as usual the ocean would be rocky but I know my man, and he would not risk it if there was any doubt in his mind. I get a text at 5:15am that the ocean looked good and they were heading out. Througout the morning he sent me his coordinates via Spot, this way I knew all was well and could log on and see his progress via satelite.
Just a little after 12pm my phone rings, it was him already! I was elated he was back to port so soon, anticipating news of a full boat of Halibut. So I ask for the fishing report in my usual sarcastic way, and get a quick almost somber reply of 1. I am of course joking around assuming he is tired, not only did his day start early but riding the tide, and fishing the bottom of the ocean with the baited weight equal to that of a 2lb sugar bag takes it out of you. Plus he was the Captain/pilot. I was like come on you're kidding. I get a short reply back of no, just the 1, the day turned into a rescue operation. Immediately my brain starts wheeling and asking questions. All I get is, we are back safe and sound, we got 3 guys out of the water and the USCG took them off the boat, I will call you later.
Well, later turned into alot later. I did not hear from him until after 8pm that night. That was the longest 8 hours. Given very limited details, I am surfing websites looking for details, I am starting to wonder if he is okay, what really happened out there, did it scare him etc. Finally I get his version of the details. Nothing big, there was a boat out there within view all of a sudden it was capsized, he drove over there immediately and got the 3 men into the boat. Holy crap was the word of the day. I ask for details, and more details, but nope that was it. It was a 25' boat the ocean was soupy, but no biggie. Wow, is all that is going threw my mind. He calls me at 10:30p to say goodnight as they are heading out again at 5a the next day. Well between 8p and 10p they were at a bar for happy hour for dinner and all the talk of the town and dock is about the crew that rescued the capsized boat. The Captain of the other boat had posted an email to Naeem thanking him and the crew for he was on dry land and in his bed safe and sound. He was having a hard time going to sleep and wanted to tell him thanks. It was then that I was curious of what exactly happened out on the Pacific Ocean. I find these recounts from the members of the capsized boat at I-fish.net:
"I want to begin by saying thank you to Naeem and his crew, The USCG and all of the other boats that came in to offer help. It was incredible to see than many fisherman so fast.
The boat we were on was an '02 25' Trophy Alaskan Cabin. The boat belonged to a friend of mine. I hooked a fish and was bringing it in. All three of us were in the back corner of the boat where the transom door is. Me fighting the fish, one with the poon and the other observing. There was some water splashing around the transom door, but I did not think much of it as we were all in that corner and the deck was self draining. We boated the fish and moved to the middle of the boat. When I turned around it looked like it was leaning to that side. We started investigating and saw that the fish box was full of water. I then opened the hatch over the batteries and water was almost to the deck. We did not have life jackets on at this time. The boat owner saw the water and ran to the controls to try and get it up on plane. As soon as he gave it throttle the motor died. We knew we were in trouble. He retrieved the life jackets from under to bow and I called the mayday to the Coast Guard. From the time we noticed we were taking on water to this point was approximately 30 seconds! I gave the Coast Guard our coordinates and another boat broke in saying they were close to us. The only boat I could see close to us was about 1/2 mile away so I thought I was talking to them. Later I found out it was another boat about a mile further out! Water began coming into the cabin where I was on the radio and the boat started to tip over. I got to the bulkhead door and was immediately swimming. The other two were already in the water. I went in with my life jacket around my neck and had to strap it around my waist in the water. As the boat completely rolled two of us made our
way back to the boat and the third was floating about 50 yards out. We kept watching the boat that was closest to us which ended up being Naeem, but they were not coming. Our boat was submersed except for the bow. We found out later Naeem's gear was snagged on the bottom and they were all at the back of their boat getting it free. They did not see us until they were free and turned around. They immediately came to our rescue upon seeing us. They had a line bag they used to retrieve us from the water one at a time. We were very happy to be in their boat. The Coast Guard arrived about 30 minutes later and took us back to South Beach.
To those who came to our rescue words cannot say enough. Thank you and hopefully you can pass it on." ~Brett
"The captain of the Trophy was indeed away from the boat. Tim and I were disoriented when we got in the water, we got seperated from the boat while Brett managed to stay with the boat. Brett and I did talk in detail about going after him, we communicated with him every few seconds and he was not 50 yards from the boat he stayed drifting along with the overturned Trophy, about 50 feet. Tim stayed very calm and laid on his back while we waited. Now I can tell you that being in Grunden's bibs and having knee high rubbers on, swimming in a pool would be hard enough. I only had to swim about 25 feet back in that 49 degree water, it was really tough to make that swim back to Brett and the boat. Tim (captain) decided that he would not burn the energy as long as he was drifting with the boat. From all of us, we can't tell you all how much we appreciate those guys in the Striper and the other 2 boats that came as soon as they could. If you know any of those guys, I would sure appreciate if you could forward my email on to them. " Sincerely, Joel
1 week later Howard pops up on Facebook chat. He was on the boat that day and was asking if he should reply to all the comments and threads on I-fish because what Naeem did was more than heroic. He implemented and deligated a rescue plan without blinking an eye and went immediately bucking into the tide to the adrift captain and crew members of the overturned boat. I was shocked, I was like what are you talking about. Come to find out all the details of that day and that not only did he rescue them and get them in the boat, he was facing unbelievable elements. Howard told me he would never fish with another captain on the ocean again. That the acute and minute manuevers and quick and calm thinking made the rescue a success. At that moment I had never been more proud of my husband, my friend, my children's Father. What a humble man, a hero to the 3 men who's boat went belly up on the beautiful beast we know and love as the Pacific Ocean.
"I am a crew member of the "Striper" on this eventful day. First of all I am glad I got hung up on the bottom. We might have picked up and moved farther away from the fishing boat, Trophy, if I was able to retrieve my gear in a timely manner. There is a lot of space to fish out there...when we spotted the capsized boat, Naeem expedited getting us over there in a safe manner. He approached the capsized boat from the south with bow headed into the wind and swells. We did not know how many fishermen were in the water. I communicated with the crew hanging on to the capsized boat while our third person assembled the rescue equipment. Naeem elected to use the throw rope and retrive the person adrift first. He piloted our boat not too far and not too close while I threw the rope bag. Once the swimmer secured the rope we pulled him in, as he approached our transom and swim ladder, Naeem pulled the boat out of gear and killed the engine. Shaun and I assissted the swimmer into the boat and secured him into a seat and we proceeded to circle the capsized boat and retrieve the next person with the same routine. Not too close, not too far, throw the rope bag, once rope secured pull him to our boat, once the swimmer was close to the transom place the boat out of gear, kill the engine, assist to secure seat. (When helping swimmer to get on board, we locked wrist not hands, they were not going to fall back into the water!) When all hands were on our boat we contacted USCG gave coordinates, checked the health of all and waited for CG instructions...Note Naeem's boat is well equipped to fish in navigable waters, EPR, life raft, radar GPS, handheld GPS, compass, SPOT, throw rope and all hands wore life vests (inflatable, float coat, maywest) whatever you preferred, but "you will wear a LIFE vest when we cross the bar and anytime the weather and water warrant wearing!"
Personally this was my best day of fishing and fishing with Naeem. I have had many great days of fishing...thanks again Naeem for the invite, God Bless all..." ~Howard
"Sounds like a perfect retrieve! Nice job guys! Way to keep your heads! You guys are heroes for sure" ~Anonymous
In the days after I had found the "Facebook" if you will of fishermen. And found some of the survivors comments to Naeem and his crew, as well as that of perfect strangers posting what a heroic act that was. In my eyes, there is nothing ordinary about that day, and to this day when he reads all the comments posted in relation to the rescue he can't believe how many fishermen and women have thanked and praised him. He truly is the most caring and considerate man I know. My husband, the Humble Hero.
May you always have fair skies, calm seas, fair currents, following winds and tight lines!
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