Lucky to be alive today (Lake Michigan)

[Gambler Bob]

Maybe some of you heard about the boat that got washed into the beach yesterday, (Sunday). That would have been me, i was fishing a breast cancer charity tournament on the Calumet River and Lake Michigan, and i was fishing in Cal Park (95 th street) area. I decided to go to Hammond Marina about 1 mile away got there no problems waves were about 2-3 footers fished there about 2 hours and the wind had changed directions coming straight out of the east and the waves were 5-6 footers. I trim the motor up to keep the bow high and get out of the big waves, now im thinking no problems great. About 5 minutes later i am doing about 15 MPH in 2-3 footers and my motor takes a shit, i am inside the breakwalls at 95th street and the waves are not that bad, but all i got is my trolling motor and it is not enough to fight the wind and the waves and get back to the Calumet River probally about a mile away from were my motor broke down. I decided that the safest thing to do is head towards the beach between State line Plant and Hammond Marina and wait it out after about a hour and a half on the trolling motor i get to a somewhat safe area, i made few phone calls while i was trolling to the beach area to a buddy that was also fishing and the Coast Guard, i am talking to the Coast Guard and they make sure that i am not in a life threating situation, i tell them no we are not. The next thing i know there is a Coast Guard helicopter flying over us, just keeping a eye on the situation. Well after awhile my friend shows up to try to tow us in but we cannot get a tow rope connected with such big waves coming in to the beach. At this time i decide that i need to beach my boat so i head towards the beach and pull up my trolling motor and let the boat go to shore. There is 6 lifeguards waiting for us and they help me and my wife getting my boat tied off to one of things that life guards sit on top of when they are on duty. Everyone is fine and i get all my valuables out of the boat. So i get in touch with my insurance company and a tow company and work everything out them. Today the tow company had to go get my boat and there is 10 feet of sand between my boat and the water, so they pull the boat off the beach and i meet them at Hammond Marina, the boat is fine but the motor still does not work.


Modified by Gambler Bob Rourke at 10:02 PM 3/18/2012

[luigisbass]

WOW! I am so glad you guys were in that beach area or it would have been a lot worse for you and your wife. Thank God both of you are ok.

[dtaylor]

We are glad you made it out safely to Bob.

[basscla]

[Bwell]

Glad you're okay man!

[Mikekylake]

Thats a scary story.Glad you and your wife are ok

[Jon G]

Glad you and the wife are ok.

[bhougham]

WOW that's scary... glad you guys are ok

[local16]

Sounds like you got lucky there..

[sgt93]

I'm glad you guys are alright

[bassindon2]

I am glad to hear that things worked out as they did. You are right with your statement in the subject line. With Lake Michigan you always have to be on your toes as it can change in the beat of a heart.

In any case it is a good read and hopefully someone else will benifit from reading of your ordeal. Thanks for posting.

[BassManGuy]

Bob, thank God you and your wife are safe. Those winds were terrible that morning, my trolling motor barely lasted the day on the river. I was wondering where you were going in the morning at take off. You were right in front of me and I went left towards lake calumet and you kept going up river. Hope its nothing major with your engine. My boat is in the shop too, my trim went out when I was loading the boat on the trailer.

[JDoyal]

Sorry to hear that Bob. I know right where you beached it, I think it's called "Beer can Beach" right? You are lucky it happened where you were able to beach it, it would been worse if you were on on the other side of the river opening, all rock over there. Yesterday was a bad day for boats. My boss is a rag bagger. He was coming into Hammond, he dropped sail and went to fire up his diesel and the throttle cable snapped. He had to be towed in as well.

[dutch boy]

you made a smart choice my friend . SAFTY FIRST glad the family is ok