Turtle rescuing and sea boots

August 1, 2010   


Yesterday Charlie the super spotter saw a large fishing net and entangled inside of it was a sea turtle about 3.5 feet long. So this time it was Charlie’s turn to do a MOB drill and sail up to the net (I didn’t want to have our engine on and possibly end up with net entangled in our prop). I got in my harness once again and put on my neoprene gloves. Luke and Ed dropped the main and we tied a sheet through the net to hold it close to the boat. The turtle not knowing we were rescuing it was trying desperately to dive deep while I was trying to hold it at the surface to cut it out of the net. Thanks to Micheal Redmonds present of my SOG knife which is a little rusty but as sharp as ever we got the turtle lose and he dove quickly to the depths.

Next consideration was whether to leave the net in the sea or bring it aboard to take and dispose of on the mainland. We decided after some deliberation that it was just too big for the petite RB to carry it looked about 400 lbs and would have been a very very large mound on the foredeck. So with heavy hearts we set sail again and headed NE leaving the net behind hoping nothing else would get caught in it.

Last night started to turn a little nippier and with 25 knots on the nose we were beating into it so I went from being barefoot and fancy free to kitted up in seaboots. However, this morning has dawned bright and sunny so I might get away with shorts and tshirt for another day!

Position is 34 13N 148 13N it is a struggle as usual to continue on the northerly course. At about this point you always want to turn east and although it would feel great at the time we would be sure to regret it later!

Henry the turtle was as big as the ones at the aquarium in Bermuda that you take me to when I visit you!

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