No attempts at humour, sly hidden messages or skewed relevance through song lyrics this time, folks.
It was so late it was early.
In the wee hours of Saturday morning bad news darkened the Dock.
I've been pondering whether to document the event, whether I have any place even mentioning what had occurred, or acknowledging that anything had happened.
I'm still not sure.
What I do know is that rumours and innuendo and supposition always fill the vacuum created by a scarcity of facts.
We on the Dock and our guests deserve better than that.
I'll stick to the facts and not offer any editorial opinion.
Early Saturday morning a cascade of small bad decisions led to tragedy- A guest on our Dock was assaulted on our dock by a guest of boatowners from another dock.
The police and an ambulance were summoned.
Crime scene tape was strung. Pictures, prints and statements were taken.
Rubberneckers from other docks cruised past throughout the day, with one loathsome individual touring past repeatedly offering his (inaccurate) opinion of what he thought went down to the multiple boatloads of guests he guided past (his words) "the crime scene."
The laughter was a classy touch.
On Sunday we learned an arrest had been made.
This incident prompted a discussion of Dock etiquette, and a review of
Dock Do's and Don'ts.
DO have fun.
DO treat others with respect.
DO take responsibility for your guests.
DO be good guests, not mooches.
DO look out for each other.
DON'T bring trouble home. If you don't feel safe getting back to the Dock, call one of your fellow Docksters- we'll help. It's what we do. Better yet...
DON'T talk to strangers. It was good advice when you were a kid, it's good advice now.
DON'T boat crawl. It sounds like fun to wander from boat to boat mooching drinks and hanging out, but there are few places where a free drink doesn't have an implied string attached.
DON'T leave your guests. You brought them to the the Dock, if you leave the Dock it's your responsibility to ensure they make it back to the Dock safely.
DON'T Drive. Check your keys with another Dockster.
DON'T damage the reputation of the Dock. We work hard to maintain the unique idyll we have created by demanding little from the Marina and receiving little scrutiny in return. If that changes, it won't be for the better.
Our thoughts are with the victim, and wish her a quick and full recovery. And we hope it never happens again.
Sorry to hear about this Brian. I understand your reluctance to post anything but, others will hopefully learn from this. Hopefully all concerned will make a speedy and full recovery.
ReplyDeleteWow, this sounds pretty serious! Wishing the best for all concerned, and hoping the message you've posted gets out. Every year, the folks on our dock make sure we have each others' cell phone numbers and email addresses "just in case." I usually think of this as a need to contact your neighbor "just in case I'm away from my boat and remember I left the hatches open and it might rain." Sadly, your story has reminded me of a darker need.
ReplyDeleteWow it seems like I am missing out on a lot of excitement.
ReplyDeleteHope there aren't too many strings on your boat Brian.
Thanks for the supost to be UN-spoken rules
ReplyDeleteAre NOW said in black and white
I think you've left out some. How about:
ReplyDeleteDO leave the liquor at home when going boating. Boating and drinking seldom mix to a positive result.
DO go to a bar instead of a dock if drinking is more important to you than boating.
DO visit a local meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous if you can't imagine having a good time boating without drinking.
DO question the general character of anyone with an adults-only social atmosphere. Generally boating and children go together.
DO question your own motives and character if boating to you involves getting so drunk that you have to check your keys.
Thanks for the input, brehm62.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about this incident and endlessly glad that I missed it. The dock is sort of a sacred oasis in an otherwise convoluted, crass and uncaring world. Rest assured I am your side on this one. If this happens again, there could be silly rules imposed and I for one don't want any of those.
ReplyDelete