Not Panicking, even when in Deep Trouble

Tony,

I just bought a single section home, 20' x 72', three levels.

But it is not an MH, it's a motor yacht, the Spy Sea. We live on it in Miami Beach during the winter. As I found out recently, the most simple acts in life can have life-altering consequences. Careful! The below episode is one such occurrence.

I think I had two closings Feb 13th. First on the 72' Tecnomarine Italia Pilot House Motor Yacht, Spy Sea, and almost closed on my life. We closed the purchase of the boat in the early afternoon and my wife Pat and I went to be on the boat.

Around 6 pm, Pat had gone to the car to bring our dog over. It was very rough at Sunset Harbor Marina in Miami Beach where the boat was berthed, almost gale force winds blowing. The boat was really moving around, being pushed away from the dock. After following Pat, in trying to get back onto the boat, all I remember is starting to take a very long step from the concrete dock to the boat's swim platform, then next, being in the water, at the transom with my head above the water, not how I got there.

I don't remember hitting the water or going under, which I must have, or anything else about the fall.

I could swim, but was struggling, bogged down by wet sweat pants and shirt, and had taken several bad hits to my legs, my shoulder, and worse, had very badly banged my head, temple and ear. There was no way to get out of the water, no ladders and the boat's transom was high above my reach. I was alone and in trouble. No one was around or saw me fall.

I was struggling holding on to the trim tabs on the transom waiting for Pat's return, as there is no dock ladder there to get out of the water.

Finally, after several minutes, Pat returned to find me in the water, far below her. She quickly beckoned a passing lady who threw me a rope. The rope was behind a locked gate and Pat couldn't get to it. 

I grabbed the rope and the lady steered me towards the boat next over. The captain of that boat finally lowered his hydraulic swim platform to water level so I could get on. I was bleeding pretty badly from a chopped up ear and head bang. I was so wozzy I could barely stand.

I have no recollection of what happened that sent me into the water, but know I was taking a very long step to the swim platform from the dock and didn't make it. My front foot must have slipped on the side of the swim platform, and I must have tumbled in to the water. Then I hit my head and body against something hard, probably the concrete wall behind me or swim platform (less likely).

Why I didn't get knocked out and go under, I do not know. Had that happened, no one would have known what happened to me, as no one saw me fall. Pat would have assumed I was off visiting. Geezuz!

Only the gods saved me to be with my wife on our new boat.

Its the little unexpected occurrences that happen in life that can be big life changers. I dodged a bullet. Just wasn't my time yet, but it was close. Can I take any solace? I never panicked though I knew I was potentially in deep trouble. ##

MARTIN V. (“Marty”) LAVIN
attorney, consultant & expert witness
350 Main Street Suite 100
BURLINGTON, VERMONT 05401-3413
802-660-8888 off / 802-238-7777 cell
marty@martylavin.com

Nov. 2013-May 2014 Address
C/O Bill Bird Haulover Marina
10800 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33154