As a follow-up to the Capt's original email Dan, father of crewmate Nate, contacted the Capt. To thank him for the picture and ask a couple questions. A portion of that reply from Capt. John is shown below.....
Those thinking of rafting down the Mississippi like the crew of the Bear Naked take head!
Re: Dad of
one on the Bear Naked
Date: Sun 8/03/08 1:15 PM
From: Capt John
To:
Dan Oligmueller
Dan,
... In the past 19 years as a pilot, I have seen people on things that I
guess you could call rafts, at least they floated, and were death traps or
accidents waiting to happen. Earlier this year I passed a bicycle powered
raft with 3 people aboard around mile 315 or 320 on the lower Mississippi
River. Not only were they in the way, but they were also in danger of being
pulled along with the current into the Old River Control Structure canal.
Not someplace they would want to be. I had 15 loaded barges at the time (24
thousand tons) and I had to work to miss them. If we had had more barges in
tow I probably would have hit them simply because of the forces at work
involved in steering barges down the river. The bad thing is is that they
didn't have a clue they were in any danger as they smiled and waved at us as
we passed. I saw the same raft a week or so later tore up pretty good and
tied in the trees at about mile 184 LMR. I hope that the people I saw on
board were home at the time because the raft was abandoned. That is just one
of many I have seen over the years.
Now I didn't tell you that to worry you. Your boy has good maneuverability
and common sense. That should see them through o.k. Now for the important
stuff. From Baton Rouge on down there will be ships and harbor tugs. BIG,
BIG SWELLS!!!!! This is unavoidable and the Bare Naked will not be safe. I
am also a father and as on to another, tell your son and his mates they will
literally be taking their life in their hands at that point. Knowing what I
do, I can tell you that under no uncertain terms would my son, or me for
that matter, be on that raft below Baton Rouge. Just my opinion, but one
based on 21years on the river.
...
Capt. John
Subject:
picture of bear naked
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:02:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: capt
To:
nateo@bearnakedrafting.com
I passed the raft just above Caruthersville, Mo.
They fired up the engine and moved out of my way. I thought ya'll might like
a view from my perspective. This is one of the better rafts I have seen
through the years. Just keep out of the way like you did and you should be
o.k.
You guys have no Idea how much concern you cause us river pilots out here. We talk about you miles before we get to you on the VHF radio to make adjustments and try to prepare to NOT run over anybody. This is not always an easy thing to do depending on where we meet at. This goes for all rafts, canoes, kayaks ect.
Having said
that, I admire your sense of adventure and wish you the best of luck. What a
story to tell the grandkids one day.
Capt.
