I almost called 911 on a buoy

Biking across the bridge in the late afternoon at a time when the winds are kicking up – actually they are often like that all the time – and I look down in the water and see what looked like a small sailboat with a red sail.

Given the intensity of the wind and the height of the waves, he did not look in good condition. It actually looked like water was coming up over the hull onto the deck. I worried and wondered if he had some way to communicate. I know that boats often have beacons that can be activated and there are cell phones provided that there’s a signal in that location.

As I continued biking across the bridge I wondered if should call 911 immediately. I wondered if the sailor can swim. He was not too far from land and the swim was doable although it would be pretty chilly. I decided to wait till I got across the bridge to call.

As I reached land after crossing the bridge here happened to be a guy taking photos of the sunset with a really long telephoto lens. I asked him to please check the red sailboat out in the water and he said “I don’t see a sailboat.” I said: “That one right there, just outside the bridge” and pointed my finger. He pointed the camera at it and said “That’s a buoy.” I laughed with relief and thanked him.

If he hadn’t been there I would have called 911. I wonder if other people have ever called 911 before to report the red sailboat in trouble on the water?