Tales from the Dock Side: Search and Rescue

It's 1975 and recreational boating is at an all-time high. Thousands of people with absolutely no boating experience-who don't have a clue how to operate, navigate, or maintain a boat-are buying them. Large cabin cruisers, family day boats, speed boats, and ski boats-it doesn't matter, as there is no license or training requirements to operate any of them. Besides, at this point, the Coast Guard will tow you in, no matter what the problem, for free! During his first rescue in bad weather, Steven Weigand describes his experience. As a Coast Guard deckhand assigned to a small boat station he can't help but notice every boat they pass is headed inland to safety from the rapidly approaching storm, we're headed out to sea. "What's wrong with this picture?" he asks. His captain, John, replies, "We have to go out; we don't have to come back." Tales from the Dock Side is a treasure trove of daring rescues and lighthearted anecdotes from one man who experienced it all firsthand. You'll love these true accounts from Weigand's unique perspective-from his side of the towline!