Article by Capt. Franky Pettolina
It was just moments after I had secured the port side outrigger (right rigger - looking toward back of boat - in fishing lingo) to the side of the flybridge and wound the slack out of my teaser line when the jet powered, rigid bottomed, inflatable boat slammed into the side of the “Last Call”. Seconds later two armed men were telling my charter party to stay put in the cockpit and confining my father and myself to the bridge. They told us to hold our course and this would all be over shortly.
No, this was not some act of piracy on the high seas. Capt. Jack Sparrow was not commandeering the “Last Call” for some great adventure and I was nowhere near Somalia! This was a routine “At Sea Boarding” by the United States Coast Guard. The fact that we were fishing in the Canyon Kickoff Tournament in the deep behind the Poorman’s Canyon was the only thing that made it kind of unique.
I have been boarded numerous times at the dock. The Ocean City Fishing Center requires that the members of their charter fleet undergo an Uninspected Passenger Vessel (UPV) courtesy exam at the beginning of each season. During my days of commercial fishing for giant bluefin tuna in Morehead City, Dad and I would seek out the local inspector and get the Fishing Vessel Courtesy Inspection. Some guys dread when the Coasties come down the dock. Personally, I welcome it. I am responsible for the safety of my charters and double checking safety equipment is never a bad thing. Getting boarded while at sea is a different animal though. Don’t get me wrong, I am not against it. It just doesn’t happen very often and there is a level of concern when traveling at seven or eight knots and coordinating a personnel transfer in three to five-foot seas.
The first time I remember being boarded while underway happened back in the 1980s. Mom, Dad and I were bringing the “Last Call” home after a winter of fishing in Islamorada in the Florida Keys. The first leg of the trip took us up to Fort Pierce. As we were nearing the harbor, Dad heard the Coast Guard hailing us on VHF Channel 16. While he was responding, a helicopter came into view as well as the inflatable boarding vessel. Dad requested that they allow us to continue into port so we could begin fueling. Those of you who have seen the movie “Captain Ron” will remember the storm scene when Captain Ron told Martin Harvey, “The good news, Boss, is we are almost there!” And Mr. Harvey exclaimed, “That’s Great! How do you know that Captain Ron?” To which his captain replied, “I put in just enough fuel to get there. And we are out of fuel.” (sidenote- those of you that haven’t seen “Captain Ron” have to watch it this week. That is your homework. You will thank me for it later).
The “Last Call” holds plenty enough fuel to get from Islamorada to Fort Pierce, allowing for a safety margin too, but Dad didn’t want to take any chances after a long day of traveling. While the boarding party was conducting their inventory of safety equipment and also making sure we didn’t have any illegal contraband (it was South Florida in the 80s - think Miami Vice!) I was told to remain in the cockpit, seated in the fighting chair. Dad was not allowed off of the bridge.
Mom was charged with providing the requested documents and pointing out where the required safety equipment was stowed. At the end of the inspection the Chief Officer asked Dad for a photo ID. Back in those days the state of NJ did not provide photo ID for people holding a CDL (commercial driver’s license). The USCG Merchant Mariner Document did not have a photo on it in that era either. Dad’s passport was at home. Just as it seemed like we were not going to be able to prove that Dad was, in fact, Dad, Mom came up with an idea. She picked up our fishing scrapbook album from the counter. She flipped through the pages that held clippings from the Coastal Fisherman newspaper. The Chief Officer accepted the captions of Captain Frank Pettolina under the pictures as proof enough to conclude the boarding. I wonder if that would work today?
On this most recent boarding, it took about an hour for the officers to conduct their inspection. We were allowed to keep half of our spread out while they were working. I was really hoping for a big bite while they were with us. Alas, it did not happen. How cool would it have been for us, and the USCG officers, to have to put the inspection on hold to chase down a blue marlin?!?! When they had all of the information they needed we thanked them and offered them some bottled water as they were leaving. They politely declined and wished us luck with the rest of our trip. We ended up catching a few mahi for the day, but nothing big enough to place in the tournament.
It does give a reassuring feeling to know that the women and men of the USCG are able to reach us out in the canyons. I hope I never need them while I am out there, or anywhere else for that matter, but it is good to know they are there. Thank you for your service Ladies and Gentlemen, and maybe next time you are riding with me offshore we will get a bite!
Capt Franky Pettolina is Co-Captain of the charter boat, “Last Call”, owner of Pettolina Marine Surveying, Inc. and multi-term President of the Ocean City Marlin Club. If you would like to book a charter on the “Last Call”, please call 443-783-3699 or 410-251-0575.
