Geared up for 2015
2014 was a very busy year for Vessel Assist San Diego. We added Vessel Assist “Coronado,” a new high-speed response vessel with an extended fuel range, in order to make more short-range cases without having to re-fuel as often. As most people know, the fishing was epic in 2014, often sending most of Vessel Assist San Diego’s eight boat fleet running offshore to assist disabled boaters. Continue reading →
What turned out to be a leisurly day boating off the coast of Mission Bay turned into a boaters nightmare. While attempting to enter the Mission Bay Chanel a large set of swells pushed the small vessel into breaking surf. The operator, knowing the vessel would flip in the huge surf if he turned around, throttled up and rode the huge wave several hundred yards to the beach. All of the passengers were able to get off the boat without injury. Continue reading →
During the sixties private boats started popping up on lakes and waterway making boating an American favorite for relaxing on the water, fishing , or just sightseeing. Most if not all of these boats were made out of Wood. Made from high quality wood and hand craftsmanship they were built to last a life time, or so the builder thought. The late sixties brought a new type of boat Fiberglass. Continue reading →
Once again faulty wiring looks to be the cause of another boat fire. This one was at the Lowes Coronado Marina. A 55’Cabin Cruiser and a 45’ Trawler were burned beyond repair Thursday night. Vessel Assist San Diego deployed an 8 man crew with two boats and two truckloads of equipment, to secure and remove the first boat, a 45’ Trawler. The second boat, a 55’ Cruiser was sunk after it burned to the decks. The night before, Coronado Fire Department responded in full force, keeping water on the fire from land. The new, million dollar San Diego Harbor fire/police boat, was put into real action and performed as expected. The new 32’ Metal Craft and and its well-trained crew, used its high powered water cannons to attack the fire and keep it from destroying other boats. Continue reading →
Often time’s boats lose power and the boat survives to see another voyage. This was not the case for a 38’ shock sail boat after the operator reported to be out of fuel was repeatedly slammed against the giant sea wall that protects LA/Long Beach Harbor from the Ocean. Life Guards were able to get a line on the boat but the line parted. The giant swell and pounding waves made the conditions too dangerous for even the most experienced Life Guards. Continue reading →
Often times when the call comes in to raise a boat after it sinks in its slip, two things are pretty common. One, Vessel Assist San Diego’s crew are usually on scene and working within an hour or two of mobilizing. Two, the boat is usually less than 40 feet long. Continue reading →
Vessel Assist San Diego specializes in raising boats after they sink. Weather the boat is in a slip or in 400’ of water Vessel Assist San Diego can raise it. Most boats that sink in slips are under 40’. The Cathy Ann was a steel commercial fishing vessel 80’ long and weighed over 150 tons with the cement ballast added inside the hull to stabilize her for the rough Pacific Ocean. Vessel Assist San Diego was given the task of raising the monster vessel from 50’ of water. The steel vessel offered many challenges. One, the sheer weight and steel hull with cement inside offered zero buoyancy. Two, the vessel was resting on a steep slope bottom leaving only the roof out of the water and the only accessible hatch 7’ under water on the lowest tides. Three the salvage had to be done on a negative tide making the start date of the job New Year’s Day. Continue reading →
The first major winter storm sinks several boats while flooding local streets. It was reported that over 8 inches of rain fell in areas of San Diego flooding several roads and business. Vessel Assist San Diego responded to almost a dozen sinking or sunken boats. “Boaters really need to respect the volume 8 inches of rain and the effect it has on a boat.” Robert Butler, President of Vessel Assist San Diego, Says “Boaters need to prepare for storms with their boats.” Continue reading →
As the busy Sunday for Vessel Assist San Diego was winding down, Captain Reggie Curry was tying the Vessel Assist Boat “San Diego” to the Vessel Assist San Diego Headquarters Pier, when he heard the call come in for a helicopter that had just crashed. As he got underway he located the crash site just a couple hundred yards from the pier. San Diego Harbor Police arrived on scene just seconds before Captain Reggie. Continue reading →
Thousands of fish suddenly died and are floated to the surface in Puerto Salinas. Just 40 miles south of San Diego Harbor a tragic finding of literally thousands of fish. Mackerel, Halibut, Sardines, Spotted Bass, and White Sea Bass were all found floating and rotting in the little harbor. There are no answers to why this happened. Sources in the harbor reported catching mackerel the night before and storing them in their boats bait tank for a future fishing trip. Continue reading →