Just after departing Bimini this morning for Nassau as part of the second-year Nor-Tech Bahamas adventure, one of the center consoles in the fleet pulled off the planned course and stopped. One of its four Mercury Racing outboards had quit, and the owner and his crew stopped to check it out. The problem turned out be a weird little glitch that no could explain.
The Nor-Tech community takes care of its own.
The good news was that the engine started and the boat made it the Andros Island for lunch without any further issues.
Want to know the coolest part of the moment? All of boats in the fleet stopped, and several captains and their crews headed back to see if they could help.
The is kind of community that is essential during a 100-mile open-ocean crossing.
Yes, most of the folks on this trip know each other by name. Some of them are dear friends. And Stu Jones of the Florida Powerboat Club, which organized this adventure, is one hell of a den mother.
But even he was impressed enough to get on the radio and commend the group for sticking together.
I expect trips like this one to be remarkable, as do the 16 Nor-Tech-owning club members signed up this year. Of course, they are bonded through the Cape Coral, Fla., brand, and through their shared love for it they have become a true community.
And as such, theis remarkable group looks after its own. Especially in the open ocean.