Out of Options - Captain Walks Out to Me | Grounding 27ft Boston Whaler

When you hit a sandbar going 25kts, you tend to end up in very shallow water. In this case, the water was so shallow that the chart showed the boat was in the green, which is more or less so shallow the chart treats it as dry land (less than 0ft at low tide). I wasn’t getting in the water tonight, and the other captain wasn’t either until he realized he was going to have to stay on the boat until the next high tide which was 4.5 hours away. Suddenly, getting in the water seemed like an ok option!
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AI-Generated Description:
The AI really struggled with one and couldn't figure out I wasn't on the boat that got stuck, but here it is anyway 🤦‍♂️
Join me on this thrilling journey as a towboat captain navigating through treacherous waters at high speeds. When you hit a sandbar cruising at 25 knots, the consequences are immediate and intense. The sudden impact propels us into incredibly shallow waters, so shallow that the chart indicates we're practically on dry land, registering less than 0 feet at low tide!
In this gripping tale, you'll witness the pivotal moment when our options become limited. With the boat seemingly stuck until the next high tide, which is a daunting 4.5 hours away, the situation demands quick thinking and decisive action. Initially reluctant to venture into the water, both myself and the other captain hesitated at the thought.
However, as the reality sinks in and the urgency of our predicament becomes undeniable, a daring plan emerges. Despite the risks, we realize that getting into the water is our best chance for a timely resolution. Join us as we embark on this unexpected adventure, navigating not only the physical challenges of the environment but also the mental and emotional hurdles of an unforeseen setback.
Don't miss out on this riveting account from the perspective of a towboat captain facing the ultimate test of skill, resourcefulness, and determination amidst the unforgiving waters. Subscribe now and stay tuned for more captivating tales from the high seas!

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

It’s tows like this that make me rethink my aspirations of being a TowBoat Captain. Lol

[@CaptKenO]

Hahaha 😂 These ones aren't too bad. It's the ones in foul weather and/or the middle of the night that suck. That and just being on call 24/x are the reason there aren't too many of us around

[@MichaelBrown-xb6pp]

Boating is so awesome that I can sit through 20 minutes of a Tow Boat captain trying to find a deepwater river in a sandbar then idling in a channel waiting for a knot to be tied. Life is good!

[@CaptKenO]

Lol 😂

[@rla1000]

I'm somewhat amazed that so many people run aground in these areas. Having chartered sailboats out of St. Pete over many years, I can't fathom going anywhere without a chart, and paying close attention to it and available channel markers where applicable. My earlier sailing days were long before the advent of computerized charts, advanced nav, and even the internet. Essentially had paper charts, a compass, and depth sounder. I can understand shifting sand bars etc. within channels, but to find oneself in the middle of undredged flats is mind boggling.

[@CaptKenO]

Yeaaahhh...but these people keep me employed, so 🤷🤣

[@53Peterbilt]

I always enjoy your videos. I Love boats and like seeing the tricks you come up with for getting folks back to safety. I must say, that I wouldda thought that getting in the water would be a thing that could happen at any time, and that a towboat operator would always be ready for this scenario. Water shoes and a wetsuit would be standard items aboard, plus maybe even a mask. I'd definitely never leave the dock without a towel. I live in a very rainy coastal town, and for our local towtruck operators, they know that at any time they may need to climb through, over, and around a vehicle that's off the road in the mud, brush or snow to hook onto...so they always carry raingear and good boots. I guess I was just surprised as I've never seen you balk at the idea of going over the side and running a line out to a stranded boat...especially one with passengers on board. Heck, I've watched you practically swim under a boat stuck out in the mangroves Well, keep up the good work, and keep these videos coming!

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Peterbilt! We're not required to get off our boat to assist since that's outside the scope of our work...but I usually do it because I don't mind when it's warmer out. There are some times (and this is one of them) that it just wasn't worth it to me to get in the water. If it had been a couple of days earlier when we were in the 80s and sunny out, I would've been in shorts and probably would've walked out to them

[@donkovacik5312]

Yet another successful mission for Captain Ken! Funny but we watched you do this rescue in real time from our balcony overlooking the bay last night, then recapped via your video today. As a boater fairly new to these precarious waters your videos are a great learning tool for where "NOT" to go. Thanks for the education as well as all the entertainment. Crazy but just seen you a few minutes ago, towing someone passed our building.....you're one busy guy!

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Don! This job was from the 22nd, so you probably saw one of the other captains working a different job. It's starting to get a bit busier out there as the weather is finally warming up, so let's hope it keeps going in this direction !🤞

[@dannyduncan3181]

Having a kayak on board in this situation would probably work, easy way to get the line to him.

[@CaptKenO]

It could work, but it goes above and beyond the scope of our job. We're not required to get off our boat

[@dannyduncan3181]

Is the scope of your job to do as little as you can or is it to figure out what needs to be done and do it. A lot of situations are different. If you limit yourself to "this all I will do" your not in the right business. Think a little outside the box.

[@CaptKenO]

Go watch my other videos like this and tell me if I do as little as I can. We get paid to do a job, not fix every problem.

[@johns8771]

When pulling from the stern, aren't you concerned about the line parting and snapping straight back at you?

[@CaptKenO]

Not really. The line is designed not to have much stretch, so if it did break (which this won't because it has a 37k pound breaking strength), it would come back a bit and then fall into the water

[@iceman9549]

Man captain, That’s what I call dedication going that at night ! Love your videos brother!👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Iceman!

[@karon7199]

Love these videos How’d he end up way in there. Wow Great job getting him out

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Karon! That's what happens when you go too fast in a place you shouldn't be going at all!

[@pittmanfh]

That guy's voice sounds just like the old man from Bevis and Butthead. "Y'all ain't the same kids that painted my dog, are you?"

[@cigarsgunsandgasoline8032]

"I tell you hwhat"

[@timexironman100m]

Maybe you should get an electric R/ c boat that could bring a light tow line connected to a heavier line to stranded boats you can't reach ?

[@CaptKenO]

I've thought about that, but it's really too much work, and still has the issue of them needing to tie off the towline, and probably requires them to get off their boat to do it

[@texastowman233]

Or a drone.

[@piercedriver1]

Captain Einstein here, some people shouldn’t operate a car let alone a boat. , asking a tow company if they have a heavy enough line, if it’s long enough , we need to get off this boat, I guess he needs a friggin helicopter then not a tow boat . Should I stay with the boat…….well he can’t get to you so unless you evaporate and re appear somewhere else I guess you are staying with the boat. Some people OMG, Wtf !

[@CaptKenO]

Hahaha 😂 That was the most interesting conversation I've had in a while with a customer. You can even hear the moment in his voice when he realized how screwed he was 😂

[@squiggyg.8415]

I live in Florida beach town and visitors shouldn’t be allowed to operate their feet. They can’t seem to stop jaywalking out in front of cars and me on my bicycle.

[@rcdogmanduh4440]

He's on a boat with 4 women? What do they call that oh " death wish" !

[@nickrshorts]

I’m a 13 year old and I drive a 34 seavee (with my dad ofc) and not bragging but I drive it really well. I take it in and out inlets and dock it. And I have seen people who should not be on boats essentially drive them.

[@CaptKenO]

Good for you nick! Keep up the good work and maybe you'll never have to call me to come save you 😉

[@keithkennedy2725]

Good show… From Venice Louisiana

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Keith!

[@PatrickHoodDaniel]

Didn't even think of someone running across your towline. That would have been interesting. You have to hope the cap can tie a bowline or some other knot that will hold and still be able to untie easily.

[@CaptKenO]

Unfortunately, most of them can't, which is why I prefer tying it whenever possible

[@JerryGadson]

Hi Captain Ken! Another great video. I like seeing rescues done at different times of the day. Just curious, Would a kinetic rope or a step strap such as a Yakum rope work for jerking out a heavy boat that has ran aground? Always love watching your videos.

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Jerry! I've thought about it before after seeing it used on Matt's offroad recovery channel and have had it suggested to me multiple times...but it doesn't float, so all the kinetic energy would be wasted pulling it back up through the water

[@JerryGadson]

Oh that makes perfect sense, I never thought about it not floating. I also watch Matt’s off road recovery and numerous others! Thanks for the reply, Captain.

[@thomaswaldorf9141]

21:34 Wounder if a large RC boat would help to pull small line to pull big line to them. Also need a electric rope winder that drops rope in 5 gallon bucket. We had whole made winder to retrieve rope and pull cable to slip line sewer lines.

[@CaptKenO]

It might work, but they're expensive and we don't need one all that often...plus, it would still require them to get off their boat to tie the line to their trailer eye

[@vanseventy]

Avionics is your best bet. I heard you say Navionics. We never had anything like that yrs ago. Game changer. Great app! That life preserver that has a motor on it would have been great in this situation to get a line to the stuck boat but, he wouldn’t be able to pull him out of there. I used to keep a kayak on the side of my boat to get in shallow water. Depends how far away the boat beached is from deeper water. And most of the time waiting for tide to come up is the best so no damage is done to the hull. You could have had your yellow light and most would not know what that meant while your line was out.

[@CaptKenO]

You got that right! Have our required yellow over white towlight as well as a flashing amber/red light like on a tow truck...basically make ourselves as visible as possible and hope people pay attention 🤞

[@jeffreydickson4373]

Adults that can’t figure out how to handle a situation drive me nuts. Don’t ask someone else what to do. Take action and figure it out.

[@CapeAnnImages]

I had a similar problem trying to tow a buddy that was stranded. I simply stern anchored up wind then trimmed up the engine and drifted next to his boat. Tied him up and pulled on the anchor rode into deep water(kedged). From there I lowered the engine and towed him out.

[@CaptKenO]

My boat was hitting bottom not just the engines

[@Bierdaddy1]

Guy loses a captain point for not checking charts & tide. He recovers that captain point for doing what he had to do by walking out for the line. His voice with “but I’ve got four women” betrayed his fear of being trapped with them until high tide. 😆 I wonder if they all had been a bit younger and got out of the boat (5 adults =? 1000lbs) they could have floated the boat and walked it out some. 🤷‍♂️ Nice save again.

[@CaptKenO]

Hahaha 😂 No amount of people removing was going to make that boat light enough to push by hand off that sandbar. They were way to high and dry for that

[@joshlindemeier2434]

Might be beyond your scope of work but we use an inflatable standup type paddle board as a dinghy plus we have a small inflatable to person raft…everyone makes mistakes…at the end of the day I would hope you would treat people as if it were your family or friends in need of help…I understand that it is a business and that sometimes bad decisions come with financial obligations/penalties…I am sure they would gladly pay a couple hundred dollars to not have to wait till high tide…looks like a nice night though so I would wait it out…life is about the journey and the memories made along the way…would be 5 hours of memories you would never forget lol

[@CaptKenO]

We don't have room to store one at the dock or on the boat, and it's a rare situation where we need it anyway. You're going to get wet with a paddleboard, so that kinda defeats the point of trying to use it

[@deniseapple1946]

Long rescue!!

[@johnsalter6417]

Gm you need a drone to search bottom and big enough to carry line to other boat

[@CaptKenO]

And where am I going to store and launch/recover a drone that big on this boat? Besides, that's going way above and beyond the scope of our job

[@tmarlatte]

Why not use vhf? Both to communicate with rescued boat and to announce to other boats?

[@CaptKenO]

Because a lot of boats don't have a vhf, and of those do, most boats don't monitor the vhf

[@texastowman233]

I have actually pulled a few grounded boats into the water from a tow truck on shore.

[@CaptKenO]

How the heck did that work?

[@cowlumbus]

I’ve watched a dozen of these videos this week. I’m amazed at how dumb so many of these people he helps sound. He’s got some serious patience. I wouldn’t suffer some of these fools.

[@carter_saunders]

Do you ever carry around soft shackles for towing? I could see it being helpful for the client to use rather than hoping they know how to tie a good bowline. They could just attach a bowline to their tow eye with that instead.

[@CaptKenO]

I've thought about it, but I'm not sure people could use them properly, and those could become flying objects if they break/come undone

[@chrishidalgo5998]

Yes I do like the squeaky helm😂😂

[@CaptKenO]

Lol 😂

[@LTTUSA]

A drone with a polarizer filter might have helped in finding a cut to get you in closer.

[@CaptKenO]

Maybe, but it's above and beyond the scope of our work. Besides, there's an airport nearby, so we probably wouldn't have been able to fly anyway.

[@DonaldRak-ku6bi]

Ohhh boy you will rest tonight after pulling 400+ ft tow line in bet you need so muscle cream on you arms after that mess, you did great job

[@CaptKenO]

Hahaha. Thanks Donald! I was a little sore the next day for sure!

[@MCAS1924]

I'm just curious, how long do you spend organizing all that tow line after the tow. That has to be labor intensive!

[@CaptKenO]

Depends on how tired I am...but not too long...only a couple minutes if I'm quick

[@CaptainRon1913]

People like this keep people like you in business... "Bowline? whats a bowline?... I've got this $4000 Garmin chart plotter but never took the 10 minutes to figured out how to use it"

[@CaptKenO]

They sure do!😁

[@johnnys8822]

New viewer, like the show but how about a estimate on distances,

[@CaptKenO]

Distance on what?

[@johnsalter6417]

How much does a 50lb fishing line weigh then attach it to tow rope

[@CaptKenO]

The jokester in me would say 50lbs...but I know that's not what it is 😂 I'd still need a way to get it to them though, and then they'd still probably have to get off their boat to tie it to the trailer eye

[@seawench555]

That's why u need an electric winch Ken, Mate think of ur back. Great job

[@CaptKenO]

Funny you should mention that...I work on a parasail boat on occasion, and we had another parasail boat break down once. Being the one with the towing experience, I offered to be the captain of the towing boat. It was so nice being able to adjust the length of the tow from the helm with a lever 😁 Unfortunately, the weight of something big enough to pull a boat and hold enough line would probably sink these boats...but still cool!

[@seawench555]

@@CaptKenO oh awesome, but I just mean a Windless to pull in the Lines when the jobs done, to Save ur back. I love parasailing.

[@CaptKenO]

Hahaha. Gotcha. The worldcat (this boat) had a hand cranked reel for the line under the helm seat...we took it out because it was more of a pain in the ass to unwind and rewind the line than it was to pull it in and dump it in a bucket. My back isn't the problem. It's my arms that get tired 😂

[@Indigo4711]

Why not tie the tow line to a carabiner/hook in a case like this so that the captain only has to hook it onto their vessel instead of relying on them to tie a knot... ?

[@CaptKenO]

Realistically it would probably be fine, but I don't trust it not to break and fling back at me. I don't know how much force is actually generated doing a job like this, but I know some other tow operators have had hooks rated to 4k lbs break on them...

[@Indigo4711]

@@CaptKenO A ship chandler should be able to set you right or a company that sells lifting gear for industry. I have some Bonatiti climbing carabiners with a screw gate that are rated to 2500kg (just under 5,512 lbs). Keep in mind that the gate must be screwed in place for that rating to be true. 😁

[@vancity2349]

Cant win em all Cap. On the video the sandbar or area looked massive. The tide and length of time you had were against you.

[@CaptKenO]

It was. I'm just guessing, but I'd say the actual bar is probably about 500x1500ft, and the shallow area (

[@stunick1573]

Couple things you could do if you don't mind a bit of critic? Carry one of those New England type boating knives with the spike in it for knots. Also a buoy on the end line then drag it across as you circle the sand bar, it might work never have tried that my self, only because you could circle around him. And from the start I wondered why one of you didn't just walk over as you said somewhere in the video it was a foot deep? People play on those sand bars so I was wondering why that didn't happen once you made your loop around. And lastly a small dingy or paddle board for just this type of thing.

[@CaptKenO]

A marlin spike works good on twisted line...not so great on loose braid like this since it just tears it apart. The sandbar was is about 1500ft long, so to get up current I would've come up about 1000ft short, but it is a viable option if you can get closer on the up current side of them. As far as the paddleboard/kayak, we don't have one nor have the room to store one at the dock or on the boat, so that doesn't work for us

[@stunick1573]

@@CaptKenO Forgot what the spike was called. I carried one for a while up north just bass fishing helped with untangling of dock lines a few times. Yeah I thought about that up current drift the line to them, but figured there wasn't much current with only a one foot rise in tide or wind from the wave action. I know you said you didn't want to get wet, but my first thought was just walk over to them. It all worked out it is part of the video seeing how things get solved.

[@CaptKenO]

@stunick1573 oh yeah. They work great! So does a small screwdriver in a pinch 😂

[@TheOldBailey4135]

There should be a drivers license for boats like cars, they register boats right?

[@CaptKenO]

Yes. Boats are registered just like cars (at least in Florida)...and yes, I do think they should have a practical test for operating a boat

[@SMGPERFORMANCE16]

You should get a cheap rc tug boat, and toe the line over for those jobs,sounds stupid but it would work if the line doesnt sink

[@CaptKenO]

If thought of this before, but I'm not sure something that's small enough to store on the boat would be stable or strong enough to drag the towline. Plus, we don't run into this type of situation all that often, so doesn't really make sense for us

[@SMGPERFORMANCE16]

Even to send a radio for those at shore, or no VHF boat. Any reason not to leave the boat im going to do lol stay safe dude! See you on the waters🤙 @@CaptKenO

[@user-rq7qt8qf7g]

👍

[@ForesterFire]

Have you considered a r/c boat to drag your tow lines out?

[@CaptKenO]

I have, but it's probably too much drag for it

[@ForesterFire]

@@CaptKenO couldn't hurt to try. Just an idea. Nice work helping people out. 👍👍👍

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks! If I had one I would try, but I don't want to spend several hundred dollars on something I really don't need often or know if it would even work 😕

[@ForesterFire]

@CaptKenO stand up paddle board. Maybe in the same price range, but it would work 100% of the time. The compromise of feet and legs wet would offset time wasted trying to motor around looking for a way to get closer.

[@CaptKenO]

@ForesterFire the whole point is that I didn't want to get wet. It was shallow enough to walk, so I didn't need to float to them

[@jaxboy3436]

one thing is certain u may have to spend the night if u go boating in any type of boat

[@CaptKenO]

Unfortunately that's true...too bad a lot of boats aren't really setup for that

[@jaysonlima7196]

About 20 years ago I worked Tow Boat US out of New Bedford. Pretty decent gig, one that sticks out was I was the on call boat (of 3) and phone rang at about 0230, boat aground west side of quicks hole. Ok sure be right there. Get to the boat, haul ass across buzzards bay and I’m searching the weather side of quicks with the spot light, back and forth, back and forth… nothing, call dispatch they call the boat, they can see me, so they had them shine lights to get me to see them, they were so far up the beach that they were in the tree line. Nope can’t get you off tonight, not a boat that big (about a 40 foot Formula, I’m 90% sure it was a 38 foot fast tech but I’m old now) well I came to the beach and said sorry guys not a thing I can do for yah tonight except give you a ride to your car. And I’ve smelled some intoxicated people before (and been one, maybe once or twice) and holy shit when the skipper came into the cabin with me I thought my eyes were going to water… I’d love to say that the story has a happy ending but it doesn’t, cappy sprouted silver bracelets and the boat was so stove in she had to be barged off the island. Kinda miss that job though

[@CaptKenO]

I had a similar situation, but much smaller, end up in the mangroves a few years ago. I bet you don't miss those middle of the night calls though 😂

[@kittyztigerz]

you need get flashing yellow light that way they can tell that you where working in that area of water so they dont drive into rope just letting you know there are few coast marines boat over here have 4 way yellow n white flashing light so other boat dont come near by it just letting you know in cause of upgrade of helpful inform and i worked on few coast marine boat they have jet drive engine v8 inboard engine

[@CaptKenO]

We have our required yellow over white towlight as well as a flashing amber/red light...doesn't mean people know what it means though

[@kittyztigerz]

@@CaptKenO they have seen them on tow trucks too i have few on mine and make it easy to see in dark n helpful

[@capeangler]

I'm trying not to bash that captain, And I really don't know the answer to these questions. Do you need to take a test to captain a vessel that size in Florida? A 27-foot Whaler couldn't possibly be his first experience boating, or could it? Can anyone just buy a boat that size and just wing it? He sounds like he has never captained a boat of any size.

[@CaptKenO]

If you owned a cruise ship and didn't take any paying passengers on it, theoretically you could operate it without a license...most states now require you to pass an open book written test if you're born on or after a certain date (FL is 1/1/88), but that's easy enough to do...

[@hearsejr]

You should hire a diver to swim out with a tow rope... I'm a diver that just happens to be retired, and need the exercise.. lololol.

[@CaptKenO]

Lol 😂 I don't think I really need a diver to swim in 1ft of water...but thanks for the offer 😂

[@hearsejr]

@CaptKenO lolololol I am certified to 260ft, deep sea diving and do shallow water work... 😆 hahahaha. I am wondering how he got the far aground......

[@CaptKenO]

@hearsejr running 25kts makes you skid pretty far 🤣

[@hearsejr]

@CaptKenO hahahahahaha... yeah that would do it.... hahaha

[@brianlull-bv2pf]

Why would you not anchor your boat and walk the tow line out to them? I don’t think I’d trust the customer to know how to tie a knot that wouldn’t part and come snapping back.

[@CaptKenO]

I said why I wasn't getting off the boat in the video. That line is designed to not snap back, so I wasn't worried about that

[@DanHubbert-uw2vi]

How do you run a tow boat if you won’t get off the boat to tie your line on? Get some waders and get the job done.

[@CaptKenO]

@@DanHubbert-uw2vi not can't. Chose not to. We're not required to get off, so when I do, I'm going above and beyond my required duties

[@lynnmoser6918]

Big deal, wait for high tide. They aren't going to suffer, actions have consequences. Didn't they have charts?

[@CaptKenO]

Don't know about charts on the boat...but most people don't want to stay out on a boat longer than they were planning