PART 5 HIS GUIDING LIGHT

" DAD,--DO SOMETHING QUICK,--THE WAVE HAS WHITE WATER ON TOP OF IT AND  LOOKS TO BE THIRTY FEET TALL--POWER US OUT OF HERE BEFORE IT CRASHES ON  US.!!"" I reply, " I'M DOING ALL I CAN DO--BALE SOME WATER OUT --THE ENGINE IS BEING FLOODED OUT AND WE ARE RUNNING ON ONLY SIX CYLINDERS,--I AM LOOSING POWER.!!"---"HANG ON,--I'M GOING BACK OFF SHORE AND CIRCLE SOUTH."

The breaker crashed about two feet behind the boat but still broached us side ways to where it felt like we were going upside down. The boat is tilted and leaning over so far that the ocean water is pouring in over the gunnel,--we are about to turn over. I give more throttle and turn the wheel to bring it up-right again. We look at each other with that blank look as much as to say; THAT WAS BIG AND BAD,--IT COULD HAVE ENDED RIGHT THERE.  

Dan is even busier now getting more safety gear together and I tell him,   " TIE ANOTHER LIFE PRESERVER TO EACH OF US,--THROW EVERYTHING OUT OF THE BLUE ICE CHEST AND PUT THE SAFETY ITEMS IN IT,--STRAP THE COVER DOWN WITH BUNGEE CORDS,--GIVE ME THE LOOSE END OF THE ANCHOR ROPE AND THE WATER JUGS." Every time we hit a wave it is like hitting a stone wall--our bodies lunge forward and items in the boat bang around and hit us. The waves and breakers have cracked the windshield and side window,--the windshield wiper is gone--the bow railing is broken loose and I don't know what's left of the top bridge. Dan yell out;-" DAD, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THE WATER JUGS AND ANCHOR ROPE?"" I yell back; " I'M GOING TO TIE THESE EMPTY JUGS TO THE ROPE AND IF THE BOAT FLIPS OVER OR SINKS THE JUGS WILL FLOAT TO THE SURFACE,--THAT WAY THERE WILL BE A MARKING AS TO WHERE THE BOAT IS,!!" " NOW REMEMBER WHAT I'M TELLING YOU,--IF WE GO IN THE WATER TRY TO STAY TOGETHER,--IF THE BOAT IS STILL PARTIALLY FLOATING THEN STAY WITH IT,-KEEP ALL SAFETY GEAR CLOSE AT HAND AND KEEP A PRAYER ON YOUR LIPS AND IN YOU MIND,--GOT IT?!." He shakes is head yes and looks away.

The heavy lightning and rain have moved off shore and we are still faced with high winds and rough seas. I continue to move slowly toward the sea buoy as I fight the ocean. I turn the boat more west and am heading to it. We can see cars and people on the beach and they look like little ants moving about. We are now within 50 yards of the buoy and entrance to the inlet. We look out beyond the bow to the inlet and it is all white water. It is covered over with white breakers and they are as high as large hills. The breakers are blocking out the outline of town and we can only see the top tower of Flagler College and the Great Cross.

"SON,--WE CAN'T MAKE IT THROUGH THAT WHITE WATER,--THERE IS NO UNIFORMITY TO IT,--THERE WOULD BE NO CONTROLLING THE BOAT." Waves are coming off the sand bars that are on each side of the inlet. The waves are crashing together in the middle of the inlet and creating breakers. "DAD-DAD;-WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?"  I reply: "WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER,--HERE'S MY PLAN.!!" " I AM GOING SOUTH OF THE SAND BAR AND COME IN ON THE BACK SIDE OF IT,--BETWEEN THE BAR AND CONCH ISLAND BEACH,--THAT WAY THE ISLAND WILL BLOCK SOME OF THE WIND AND LARGE BREAKERS." "IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG WE'LL GO TO CONCH ISLAND AND BEACH THE BOAT,--REMEMBER TO JUMP CLEAR OF THE BOAT IF I SAY SO,---I'M GOING TO BE IN FAIRLY SHALLOW WATER AND WILL CUT REAL CLOSE TO THE SOUTH JETTIES--BE READY FOR ANYTHING TO HAPPEN.!!""

I start my plan of action and know where there is a deep cut that will allow sufficient water to run the boat. We are easing along and the engine is hardly running,--I still have time to beach the boat before I have to commit to entering the Inlet. The area we are in is still rough but smoother than the White Water Inlet ahead of us. I explain to Dan that I've got to time the waves coming across the sand bar and try and get on top of one and ride it in. I remind him if things goes wrong to jump clear of the boat and lay on his back as much as possible. Grab anything that you see floating and be careful of being slammed into the jetties. We aren't talking but silent words of LOVE are being spoken with our eyes.

I hand Dan the keys to the truck and tell him to crank it up and turn on the heater,---I will tie the boat up. We sit in the truck shivering and shaking,--not saying a word. Daddy rides up to check on us,--he had been trying to reach us by radio. He points to Dan and says, " WELL- HOW DID YOUR CO-PILOT DO?" I reply; " THAT MY FIRST MATE AND HE DID GREAT,--MY CO-PILOT IS UP THERE." as I point to the GREAT CROSS.

Jerry Delany

Stories copyright 2001