WATCHING US WATCHING WHALES!

    SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1ST., 2017
WATCHING US WATCHING WHALES!

    A funny thing happened as we sailed out
into the Atlantic in search of whales the
other day. Well, maybe not so funny.
     Our excursion first required a Ferry
Boat ride to Martha's Vineyard. That's
where our whale watching boat was
waiting.
      I've sailed aboard a number of
Ferry Boats over the years. But this
was the first time I was ever followed.
Or "escorted."
      When I first saw the Coast Guard
boat pull out of port I figured it just
happen to be leaving the same time as
us.
        But then noticed it was running a
course right next to ours. Then I realized
the sailor standing on the bow was
manning a rather large machine gun!
         The old newsman in me immediately
began to wonder. Had I missed some kind
of Terrorist Alert? Or was it possible one
of the cars we were hauling was carrying
more than tourists?
         My curiosity increased when I
crossed over to the other side of the
Ferry and saw another matching Coast
Guard vessel there too.
          Both eventually sailed away from
us and picked up another Ferry headed in
the other direction.
         Locals said it was likely the base
was just conducting some training
exercises. And, if there was any problem
it felt pretty good having the Coast Guard
so near by. And ready!
          Hope those Coastguardsmen
get an "A" for their efforts and that
all their, and your, NEWS is good!