It was supposed to be a surprise 50th birthday party cruise for Liz Sharer. As soon as we arrived at the pier the entire Lantern Queen crew new it would be an interesting evening on the Susquehanna. It wasn't windy anywhere else, but on the river the winds were whipping up whitecaps. As we pulled away from the Havre de Grace pier at 6:30 PM, Capt. Dave Gainey noticed a 16' sailboat, capsized mid-channel between Hutchins Park and the Amtrak Bridge. As we approached, I went inside and gave the passengers a VERY quick safety briefing and basically told them to watch as we put some rescue practices to work. Capt. Dave Gainey quickly approached the boat upwind to create a lee so that they would have a better chance of righting the boat. Deckhand George Henderson and Becky positioned themselves on the foredeck to ready the gangway and boathooks if needed. Tom Hopkins kept an eye from the upper deck so that someone would be able to see them regardless how the boats moved.
Becky & George shouted an offer of help, and the sailors asked for the Lantern Queen to stay with them. We had no intention of doing otherwise!
Three people were in the water and their boat completely on its side, with at least one sail detached and floating away. With the Lantern Queen providing shelter from the wind, two sailors managed to get the boat righted and get aboard, and finally managed to help the third man aboard.
The little sailboat was sitting VERY low in the water and continued to take on water with every wave. Two of the sailors got a sail up, and started turning the boat in a large arc to head toward Tidewater Marina. The third sailor frantically bailed water out of the boat as it limped toward home. The Lantern Queen stayed with the little sailboat until it had safely entered the marina.
Our own docking was difficult, with a south-west wind pushing us away from the pier. But due to the skill of Capt. Dave and Deckhands George Henderson and Tom Hopkins made it seem like business as usual! Thanks guys for all you do! You're the best!
Later our birthday party folks thanked us for "dinner and a show!"
And of course, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Liz Sharer! Thank you for celebrating it with us!
