Over the course of my career as a guide, it’s surprising how many times I’ve had to render assistance to power-boaters while in my kayak. I’ve towed at least a dozen craft back to their moorings when they unable to start their engines. I’ve kept a couple of the rocks or jetties till they could drop a hook or just the reverse, in un-fouling an anchor or two.

Last weekend I got to play a slightly different role.

Steve returning the runaway skiff after she was unable to row herself back to the powerboat. Photographer: Theresa Weileman

Theresa and I had packed a picnic lunch and paddled over to McMicken Island for the day. Although Sunday’s forecast called for a front to move into the area, the current weather was sunny a clear with light variable winds. McMicken is located just off the east side of Hartstine Island and is a favorite with all boaters; and Saturday was no exception with  half a dozen power boats anchored just offshore.

A Nootka Rose (Rosa nutkana) found along the shore line of McMicken Island. Photographer: Steve Weileman

As we enjoyed our lunch, we watch a lady row ashore in a small dingy. It was a bit comical to watch as she only had one oar which she used in the manner of a canoe paddle. Of course, she made little progress but alternated in clockwise or counter-clockwise circles.  Finally reaching shore, she went off beach combing the high tide mark for treasure.

It was later, after Theresa and I had returned from our own stroll around the island that we noticed she was going to attempt to paddle out to her power boat; this in spite of the fact that the wind had backed to the SW and was blowing around 10-15 knots. It took all of 60 seconds for me to realize that her circle paddling was never going to get back to her party, who seemed to be unaware of her dilemma as she was quickly being blown northward toward the opposite side of Case Inlet!

The runners from the old boat shed on McMicken Island. Photographer: Steve Weileman

Handing my lemonade to Theresa I jumped in my boat, raced after her, and then proceeded to tow her back to her vessel. It wasn’t till I was directly astern that her party realized that one of their members was in trouble, and gave me a witty, “Put your back into it!” as I handed her painter off to them.

I wished them a good afternoon, but pondered just how many, lets be politically correct here and say “inattentive” boaters are out there. Considering the number of times I’ve come to their assistance you’d think we’d be afforded a title a little more worthy then “speed bump”.