Aug 28, 2021

Black and silver ripples coated my view as I cruised the dark waters of Okanagan Lake. The sky overhead was filled with sparkling stars that lit the night. The shore in front of me was lined with the artificial lights of humanity. I felt freedom, and exhilaration as I powered my Biltmore over the rippled water. 

It felt surreal, it felt free. I had a connection with the universe under the sparkling stars of the moonless night.

Then I saw a shadow off the port bow of my vessel. I had a deep shadow inside my mind while I skimmed across the rippling water. What if someone was out there on the lake with no lights on? What if I didn’t see them until it was too late? I saw a shadow on the water and my thoughts of danger crept to the surface.

The dark shadow morphed into a boat floating a mere 15 metres to my left. Were they in trouble? I slowed my boat and decided I should turn to go see if they were ok. With a crank of my arm, I turned my boat around and headed toward the floating shadow.

That’s when a light finally appeared on the surface of the lake. 

I drifted closer and slowed my engine to a purr. I shouted to the mysterious boat, “are you ok?”

“We’re fine.” came a muffled reply.

“Just making sure. You know that you have no lights on?” I called back, a little worried that these people would be on the lake in the darkness floating. An obstacle in the black of night.

“Ya, we have one light the other is burnt out.” Came a terse voice. Obviously a little miffed at being disturbed.

“Ok, you know that is how people die at night on the lake. It’s very dangerous out here with no lights on. I only saw you at the last minute.” Not wanting to get into a debate, I turned my steering wheel and powered back up.

I knew I was safe. I had all my nav lights on. I shook my head and thought about all the possible dangers of the water and the ignorance that some people have. The huge body of water is a tomb for more than one fool that didn’t respect the inherent dangers of boating.

Earlier that day when I was on a tour I rescued a boat that was in distress. They also were without the proper safety supplies. At least they were floating on the water and it was a calm, beautiful day.

I was with four lovely ladies from Manitoba on the tail end of their tour when we noticed a pontoon boat floating with its hood lifted up. I looked over at the girls and they looked at me.

Sarah the leader of the group commented to me “It looks like they might be in trouble.”

“Could be broken down,” I replied as I slowed Serendipity and steered my boat in the direction of the wayward boaters.

“Are you ok?” I hollered to the man at the helm of the older looking pontoon boat.

“Can’t get it running, if you could help that would be great.” Came the slightly distraught voice of the man on the other boat.

I looked questioningly at my guests. Sarah piped up, “you have to go help them, it’s the marine code isn’t it?”

“Ya, you can’t leave them stranded now that we know they are broke down,” Monika, one of the other ladies on the tour, spoke up.

“All right, let’s go see if we can help.” I turned my boat and came in close.

“What’s the problem?” I asked the guy as we came up alongside.

“I don’t know, she won’t turn over now. It was working fine but now, nothing.” The guy seemed a little perplexed.”Thanks for stopping we have been drifting for the last half an hour, no one stopped.”

“Do you have any paddles?” I looked at the group on his boat. There were four kids around eight or ten years old and two women. They probably could have paddled somewhere. But where? Dockside marine wasn’t very far…

“No paddles.” The man shrugged sheepishly.

It amazed me how many people can be on the water without the required safety stuff.

“Ok, I can tow you into Dockside and they should be able to help, if not you can get home from there.” I turned and looked at my charges on the boat. “You don’t mind if we tow these folk to shore do you?”

I knew the answer without asking. It was all part of the adventure and the girls were happy to be involved in the rescue.

Twenty minutes later we pulled them to the dock behind Dockside Marine. The guys at Dockside were really helpful, there were three of them waiting when we pulled in. I called ahead and asked where to bring these stranded folks. After a bit of direction and assistance, they were tied to the dock and the mechanic hopped aboard to see what was amiss. My guests smiled broadly and we wished them luck. 

I extended the ladies’ tour by half an hour and was rewarded with a very nice tip for my efforts that day. I felt good that I was able to rescue those folks who were drifting on the calm waters of the Okanagan. 

I felt even better when I saw them on my return trip across the lake on my way to pick up my wife and friends in Westbank. I slowed when I saw the familiar boat stopped on the water. The kids were on the tube and the smiles were glowing all around.

I waved at the stranger perched at the helm of his pontoon boat. “Glad to see the nice people at Dockside got you going.”

“Ya, it was a corroded wire. They fixed us up and gave me an appointment for two weeks from now.” The guy was practically beaming. “How can I repay you? I am very grateful you stopped and helped us out.”

“Just pay it forward.” I called back, “If you see someone else that needs some help just stop and do the same.” 

I waved and felt a warmth inside. Helping out each other is what makes us humans. It has its own reward.