Those of you who followed the saga of last summer’s “Rescue at Sea,” may be interested in the note I received from David, one of my shipmates:

“Ten days ago the Trustees of the Humane Society of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts voted to award its Bronze Medal to the Captain and Crew of Sparky and a Certificate and award of $1,000 to each of the five for their role in the rescue of the Captain and Crew of Restive on July 1, 2015.”

“Founded in 1785, the Humane Society was formed for the purpose of reducing the loss of human life from shipwrecks off the coast of Massachusetts. Its activity eventually led to the formation of the US Coast Guard, which in time took over all the activity of the Humane Society’s lifeboat crews.

“Today, the Society recognizes the saving of human lives not just at sea, but from accidents of all sorts.”

It’s a story of courage and kindness, friendship and competence.

By contrast, my daughter, Gayley, sent me a People magazine article, “These 71-Year-Olds Trying to Sail Across the Atlantic Have Been Rescued at Sea 9 Times in 7 Months – and They've Only Made It to England.”

“Most recently, the pair managed to accidentally set fire to the Nora in the tiny harbor of Hayle, Cornwall, when the yacht tipped over at low tide and a burning candle set their clothes alight.”

Presented to All Aboard S/V SPARKY

                                                                                   

For the Rescue of All Aboard S/V RESTIVE

 

 July 1, 2015

185 NM East of Cape May, New Jersey

 

Rob McAlpine, Captain

Jack Duggan

Bob Kostyla

Nancy Skawinski

Eric Wassermann

 

Helping others in need with extraordinary seamanship, strength and skill,

careful preparation, selfless commitment, warmth, generosity and kindness

 

By the Trustees of The Humane Society of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts