got stranded 60 miles out

[datasuspect]

in the gulf of mexico for two days.

the boat motor blew up.

we saw lots of vessels and were about 400 yds from one seagoing tug, but we were adrift.

we shot pistols in the air, flares, waved life vests and whatnot, but they didn't render aid.

what really sucked was not having the VHF or any communications for the first night (pitch black). we rigged up a smaller motor to give us power and the coast guard finally towed us in.

it really sucked.

[reyd reid reed]

1. Damn...

NO ONE stopped to help you?

That's criminal...that's....that's....RUDE.

I'm glad you're okay...and it sounds like you had quite the adventure...

[datasuspect]

4. we saw some vessels,

but they were too far away, however the one tug seemed like it ignored us.

still, we drifted pretty fast.

we're gonna get some flags.

[reyd reid reed]

6. You fired flares and they still didn't see you?

Logic tells me that if you could see them, they could see you.

Especially with the flares....

[datasuspect]

9. it was bogus

i think they just ignored us.

which is something i didn't think would happen.

the report from my .45 probably didn't help.

[nerddem]

2. dang

i've always wanted to take out a sailboat on a somewhat isolated trip but always feared what would happen in a situation in which i'd need help.

the closest experience i've ever had was getting stuck in some really heavy underwater forest in the potomac just off national airport in a little daysailer.

[Suich]

3. Wow!

I would think the flares would have attracted SOMEONE!

How big a boat were you on?

[datasuspect]

7. we were pretty far from the sea lanes

once we unhitched from the abandoned rig.

we stayed up all night drifting, but rigged up the VHF the next day.

not an extremely large craft, about 28 - 30 foot.

[swag]

5. Good to see you, man.

Welcome back to keyboard.

[datasuspect]

8. 10 roger

been pretty busy lately fishing.

i'm turning into a caveman.