We arrived in Clearwater on January 31st just as the sun was coming up. The USCG escorted us to Clearwater Harbor Marina where another crew was there to come aboard the boat for inspection. The original plan was to arrive at Long Boat Key around 10 am so that we would be able to see the crab pots and avoid them. We weren’t so lucky that morning. We were following the Coast Guard boat and apparently, they ran right over a crab pot, and so did we. We wouldn’t know the damage until the next day when they pulled the boat out of the water. We were fortunate to find a marina that could take us. We also managed to finally find a boat yard that could pull the boat quickly (thanks to a friend.). We were physically and mentally exhausted after being up for 24 hours and going through everything that happened during the night. I thought we would collapse but I guess our adrenaline was still going and we actually stayed up all day. By the way, the Clearwater USCG are amazing! All 3 crews that we worked with! Our heroes! The team on the dock came aboard and made sure our boat was safe and secure. They did a complete inspection and we passed with flying colors.
The next morning, we headed to Viking Boat Works in St. Petersburg. We cruised along the coastline and it was a beautiful day. We did have to dodge a lot of crab pots though. The boat yard was only about 15 minutes by car, but 4 hours by boat because we had to go all the way down past Fort Desota to get to Tampa Bay, go under the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge and back up north to St. Petersburg. Our daughter, Brittany, met us at the boat yard. She and her husband had driven all night to get to us.
We discovered that the boat was leaking at both rudders. What made it worst was a hose clamp broke and all the water the bilge pump was pumping out, was actually coming right back into the boat. We don't know what caused the initial leak, but it wasn't leaking before we left Mobile. They also had to repack the shafts. Once they pulled the boat out of the water, we saw where we apparently ran over a crab pot and the rope was around the prop. The rope cutter did its job and prevented some major damage like shutting the motor down, but the rope got into the brand new cutlass bearing that was installed at Dog River and damaged it. So we had to get a new one installed. We think we probably hit the crab pot as we were coming into Clearwater Monday morning because it was around 8-10 am and we were coming into the sun, following the coast guard and couldn't see anything on the water. We also had some damage to our props. They had to send the props off to be fixed.
Honestly, even with all the expenses, we were just thankful to be alive and to still have our boat…our home. It could have been much worse. We have been through many things in our lives, and we know through experience that God will always bring us through anything we face.
My sister got a flight back to Tennessee that day (she was already packed and ready to get off the boat) and we rode back with Brittany and Chris the following day. We needed to be with our family. We were still recovering mentally and were doing very well considering all that we had been through. It was such a relief and comfort having our daughter and son-in-law there with us. We got a condo at John’s Pass/Madeira Beach and met up with our friends Troy & Shelley (and grand-baby Sophia) for dinner that evening. And then we drove home the next day to be with our other daughter and son-in-law and six grand-babies! Our girls and grandkids had been so worried about us that night. They had been contacted by the Satellite company and the Coast Guard, but they didn’t have any real details until later in the night. They were up all night as well. It just felt good to be with them. We just hung out and spent a day at the park before our flight back to Florida.
On February 4th, I came across this amazing Daily Devotional that was printed for January 31st…the night/morning of our terrifying ordeal and rescue):
I AM YOUR STRENGTH AND SHIELD. I plan out each day and have it ready for you long before you arise from bed. I also provide the strength you need each step of the way. Instead of assessing your energy level and wondering about what’s on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with Me. My Power flows freely into you through our open communication. Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.
Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your Shield. But unlike inanimate armor, I am always alert and active. My Presence watches over you continually, protecting you from both known and unknown dangers. Entrust yourself to My watch-care, which is the best security system available. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
—Psalm 28:7
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
—Matthew 6:34
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
—Psalm 56:3–4
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
—Genesis 28:15
On February 7th, we flew down to St. Pete. Our boat wasn’t finished so we decided to rent a car and head to the beach for a few days of rest.
The Daily Devotional was spot on again for February 7th:
COME TO ME FOR REST and refreshment. The journey has been too much for you, and you are bone-weary. Do not be ashamed of your exhaustion. Instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your life.
Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be. You will get through today one step, one moment at a time. Your main responsibility is to remain attentive to Me, letting Me guide you through the many choices along your pathway.
This sounds like an easy assignment, but it is not. Your desire to live in My Presence goes against the grain of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Much of your weariness results from your constant battle against these opponents. However, you are on the path of My choosing, so do not give up! Hope in Me, for you will again praise Me for the help of My Presence.
"We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose."
—Romans 8:28 amp
On February 10th, we picked the boat up. The bad news is that it cost us a lot more than we were expecting. The good news is that our insurance covered most of it, less our deductible. Praise the Lord!! It was late when we left the boat yard, so we found an anchorage just a few hours away at the North Tampa Bay Skyway (Maximo Park Anchorage.) We moved to an anchorage in Bradenton the next two nights. We met up for dinner with our good friends Troy & Shelley on the 11th. The Regatta Boat Races were held right next to our anchorage on February 12th and that was a special treat. They had amazing fireworks that night as well.
Brittany meeting us at Viking Boat Works
Viking Boat Works
