Splash and Dash Searey Seaplane Delights
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 Photo Info
Posted By: Hal Brown
Date Posted: Aug 9, 2011
Description: Probably the most famous Pan Am poster shows a Clipper landing in Tahiti in the 1930’s. In the 2011’s, it’s not so easy. The local aviation bureaucrats are having serious reservations about letting a SeaRey touch these waters.
Date Taken: Aug 9, 2011
Place Taken: Marina Tiana, Tahiti
Owner: Dan Nickens
File Name: Clipper_Lane.jpg   - Photo HTML
Full size     - <img src="/show.php?splash=SZOVX0000h">
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Thumbnail - <img src="/show.php?splash=SZOVX0000s">
Category: 485, Yacht Tending FP
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Read what others had to say:

Dan Nickens - Aug 09,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    The boys sitting on the dock were a lot more patient than I am waiting on the bureaucrats. The helicopter pilot easily got his approval in one day. My application is being kicked upstairs for review. Unfortunately my French is not good enough to argue. If I don’t get approved soon, I’ll tell them all the French I know. Or maybe I'll just chill and go dive on the Catalina that rests near the Papeete airport.      Attachments:  

Catalina Wreck
Catalina Wreck

       Attachments:  

Watchful Waiting.jpg
Watchful Waiting

    
  
Eric Batterman - Aug 09,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Dan, you are my hero. If it's Tuesday, it must be Tahiti     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 09,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Being a wanderer of good fortune does have its grand moments, Eric, much like a SeaReyer with his family immersed in the wonders of a northeastern Appalachian summer. Is it Tuesday?     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 15,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Don’t you just hate to leave a mission unaccomplished? The agent promised progress “demain”. Sometimes a higher priority interrupts and off you go. The boat called with an emergency: they didn’t have the proper snorkeling gear for kids. A mad ride in a rental car through the narrow streets peppered with French traffic signs got me to the dive shop. Throwing cash got me everything that was requested. Last car on the ferry after I tried to drive on without a ticket!      Attachments:  

Leaving Papeete.jpg
Leaving Papeete

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 15,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    The boat was parked in one of Moorea’s long, protected bays. It was ready to leave. I threw the supplies on board and raced back to the ferry dock to catch the last ride back to Papeete and a promised meeting with Customs the next day.      Attachments:  

Quick Look.jpg
Quick Look

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 15,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Dealing with agents and governments sucks! I was told to go to meet with Customs and Immigration even though the Aviation Civile had not approved the SeaRey. The Customs guys said “aucun moyen” (No way, Monsieur). The helicopter guy got his stamp in less than 10 minutes. I was told just to go to boat and wait.<br /><br />Great. Where do you want me to go?<br /><br />“Fakarava.” <br /><br />Oh yeah? And you too, Pierre! (I'm starting to learn French.)<br />      Attachments:  

Learning French.jpg
Learning French

    
  
Tim Jones - Aug 15,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Dan,<br />I may be able to help or may be of no help.........but I have a friend who has a friend in Papeete. I am on an airplane in the morning to Kansas City but will make a call to my contact in Portland who's intern is the wife of the director of security in Papeete.......if that will help?     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 15,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Cool, Tim. I'm not making much progress so any contact information would help.     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 16,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    At least the heli flies in French airspace, although we have a temporary pilot while the old guy is off in the Med with Jemasa. I’m wondering if he’ll have a job when he wants to come back.      Attachments:  

Flying Squirrel.jpg
Flying Squirrel

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 16,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    It’s not a SeaRey view, but it’s not all bad either. Fakarava is a UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserve.      Attachments:  

Not Atoll Bad.jpg
Not Atoll Bad

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 16,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    There is one road running the length of the eastern Fakarava atoll and runs through the one town: Rotoava. Most of the 700 inhabitants live in the town.      Attachments:  

Mainstreet Rotoava.jpg
Mainstreet Rotoava

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 16,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Sooner rather than later the helicopter has to go back to the boat. It can’t land in the water and there aren’t many places on the island, other than the airport, that it can sneak into. (And you have to have someone who speaks fluent French onboard to go into an uncontrolled field!) The rookie SuRi helicopter pilot did pretty good. We didn't crash. And, better yet, we weren't misunderstood. Not once. So far.      Attachments:  

Coming Back Aboard.jpg
Coming Back Aboard

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 16,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    “What’s this in my SeaRey!”<br />“That’s the ship’s mascot.”<br />“Mascot? What? A white ass?”<br />“Yeah. We figure she’s a pilot.”<br />Hmmmm…..<br />      Attachments:  

Ships Mascot.jpg
Ships Mascot

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 16,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    The sun sinks fast and early on the islands. That doesn’t mean it will be quiet on the boat. It’s the last night for guests, and there’s a dance planned.      Attachments:  

Going Quietly into Night.jpg
Going Quietly into Night

    
  
John Robert Dunlop - Aug 16,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    I think I'm going to simply say simply idyllic mate!     
  
Frank A. Carr - Aug 17,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Awesome sunset Dan. So what's the verdict on the 'Green Flash'?     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 17,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    I look for it every day, Frank.     
  
Frank A. Carr - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Me too Dan; what bothers me most is that I think I saw it once.     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 16,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Local talent is called on board for the big finale.      Attachments:  

Boys in the Band.jpg
Boys in the Band

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 16,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    While the band was warming up the guests, I snuck the dancers into the galley for a pre-performance snack.      Attachments:  

Stage Fright.jpg
Stage Fright

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 16,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    There was no fright when the kids took the stage. It might have been hokey. It wasn’t.      Attachments:  

You ve Been Served.jpg
You ve Been Served

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 16,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    After the dancing was done, the performers got a ride home with Tui. Tui, a native Fijian, started driving the support boats after retiring from a fighting career at home. He is the kindest guy you’d ever hope to meet (good thing too). The kids loved him (or maybe it was a Coke and Candy high?).      Attachments:  

Post Party.jpg
Post Party

    
  
Russ Garner - Aug 16,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Dan, Lou and I own a over the water condo at Club Bali Hai Moorea. <a href="http://www.clubbalihai.com/">http://www.clubbalihai.com/</a>     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 16,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    That's a bit of paradise you have there, Russ.     
  
Don Maxwell - Aug 16,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Dan, you might see if Gauguin's friend, The Sorcerer of Hiva Oa, is available to help with those refractory bureaucrats: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Paul_Gauguin_038.jpg">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Paul_Gauguin_038.jpg</a><br /><br />And if the Sorcerer isn't available, maybe these famous women could help: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Paul_Gauguin_-_Deux_Tahitiennes.jpg">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Paul_Gauguin_-_Deux_Tahiti<br>ennes.jpg</a>     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 16,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    I haven't seen the Sorcerer, Don, but I have seen her dog. As for the women, they're everywhere (only a bit more modestly dressed...and that's a sad loss of tradition, I must add).     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Who has time to sleep in when there’s a great new day dawning full of beautiful opportunities?      Attachments:  

Morning Break.jpg
Morning Break

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Look what happens to the sunshine when an e-mail arrives saying that SeaRey flights are not permitted in French Polynesia! Wait until the Board du Tourism hears about this!      Attachments:  

Dark and Gloomy Day.jpg
Dark and Gloomy Day

    
  
Troy iRMT Heavy Maint. Enriquez - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Sorry Dan, it's kind of like being in prison at the Villagio in Las Vegas with nothing but, 100 <br />dollar notes and not being able to make change for a twenty. <br />keep your chin up mate.     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Even though things looked bleak for SeaRey splashing, not all was lost: there were plenty of low riding water toys available to check out the island.      Attachments:  

Some Hope.jpg
Some Hope

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Most any day of aviating is better than a totally ground bound day. Even a jet helicopter can do in a pinch.      Attachments:  

Flying Fix.jpg
Flying Fix

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    There is always hope for tomorrow when the skies clear for another beautiful sunset.      Attachments:  

Nicely Ending.jpg
Nicely Ending

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    When you can’t fly, you get to walk around looking for combs on beaches. This is an example of a pretty sorry comb I found.      Attachments:  

Beach Bound Combing.jpg
Beach Bound Combing

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Blue is not the only color on the atoll. Some of the local residences have a slightly different color scheme.      Attachments:  

Local Color.jpg
Local Color

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    The local pearl store was outfitted in an artistic manner. There are several black pearl farms on the island. When visiting one of the resorts to drop off some heli-photos I got a handful of pearls in reward. The sign said 700 Polynesian Francs (that’s about $8.75 at the going exchange rate). Who knew aerial photos could be had so cheaply? (Well, actually, the helicopter pilot did get two free beers too.)      Attachments:  

Five and Dime.jpg
Five and Dime

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Meanwhile, back at the boat, the SeaRey was stuck with its wings all folded and no government stamp to fly on.      Attachments:  

Sad Sight.jpg
Sad Sight

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    There is some kinda rule that says when you’re on a South Pacific island you have to get a picture of a crooked palm tree. Check.      Attachments:  

Obligatory Palm Shot.jpg
Obligatory Palm Shot

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    One of the mainstays of the local economy is coconut. They are collected, drained and allowed to dry. The dried coconut is then shipped to Papeete where oil is extracted for all those fancy soaps and creams.      Attachments:  

Coconut Grove.jpg
Coconut Grove

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Coral grows right along the shore. It is spectacularly healthy. There are two major passes funneling clean ocean water into the lagoon through from the north and south. Snorkeling is phenomenal. The sharks think it’s entertaining too. With the clear water you can see them cruising through the shallows.      Attachments:  

Reef Rocks.jpg
Reef Rocks

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Walking north along the narrow island I came across the ruins of a Mayan temple. Or not. It could have been a not-so-ancient lighthouse.      Attachments:  

Recent Ruins.jpg
Recent Ruins

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    The ocean side of the atoll was a bit more dramatic than the lagoon. There was a narrow reef followed by a deep drop into the waves.      Attachments:  

Open to Ocean.jpg
Open to Ocean

    
  
Jim Moline - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Dan Nickens.....................you have far too much fun for just one person     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Now wait a minute, Jim. You're talking about a grounded SeaRey pilot.     
  
Jim Moline - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Grounded?...Grounded?.......flashing about in a chopper. Not bad grounding.     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Well, I'm just saying it's no SeaRey.     
  
Frank A. Carr - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    But Jim, he shares his experiences through postings, awesome photos, and an occasional <br />tale.     
  
Jim Moline - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    More like occasional photos and awesome tales     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Who says underwater photography is hard? It’s easy when the water is crystal clear and shallow too.      Attachments:  

Easy Underwater Photography.jpg
Easy Underwater Photography

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 18,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    There is very little in the way of tide on the atoll but it doesn’t take much of a wave to wash over the reef....or an inattentive photographer.      Attachments:  

Reef Wash.jpg
Reef Wash

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    The Tuamotu group of islands that includes Fakarava is a pretty remote part of the globe. The small village of Rotoava is the largest on Fakarava. Tetamanu is much smaller, but it’s situated on the south pass and is a great place for diving when the current isn’t ripping at up to six knots. You have to get over the fear of sharks, though. There are lots. Gray sharks, lemon sharks, white tips, black tips, and all other colors of sharks. At least you can see them in the crystal clear water (and better yet, they can see you and figure that there has to be something else to eat!).      Attachments:  

Going Remote.jpg
Going Remote

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Diving can be exhausting. Rachel couldn’t take it anymore. (This one’s for you, DL.)<br /><br />Note: the photo has been modified to avoid marital complications!      Attachments:  

Dived Out.jpg
Dived Out

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    With so many beach spots it’s hard to find just the right one.      Attachments:  

Beach Spotting.jpg
Beach Spotting

    
  
John Robert Dunlop - Aug 25,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Wow! Tough!     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Finally the Captain just picked a beach. So much for democracy.      Attachments:  

Likely Looking Spot.jpg
Likely Looking Spot

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Sometimes one obligatory palm tree shot isn’t enough.      Attachments:  

Obligatory Shot 2.oh.jpg
Obligatory Shot 2.oh

    
  
Frank A. Carr - Aug 23,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    How 'bout several crooked Palms?      Attachments:  

Crooked Palms.jpg
Crooked Palms

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    The problem with a big boat is that it tends to lead to beach crowding.      Attachments:  

Beach Crowd.jpg
Beach Crowd

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Even on big beaches you can’t escape the camera.      Attachments:  

No Escape.jpg
No Escape

    
  
Don Maxwell - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Is that Rachael again, Dan? She does have a fetching bee-hind.     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 23,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    I cannot confirm nor deny, Don, that Rachel has anything of any nature either to fetch, fetched or fetching. On the advice of any competent marriage counselor I am exercising my first amendment right against saying anything stupid, but off the record, it could be Rachel or Salome or Leslie...I was mostly looking at the coconuts.     
  
Dave Edward - Aug 23,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Who is that running into the palms further down the beach ??....in the no escape pic     
  
Eric Batterman - Aug 23,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    that's Hina (no Lima, not the goddess of thongs)<br /><br />      Attachments:  

Hina
Hina

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Now come on, mate, a little privacy please!      Attachments:  

A Little Privacy .jpg
A Little Privacy

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Rebecca yields to the call of the wild with a shooter of coconut juice.      Attachments:  

Going Native.jpg
Going Native

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Mark is a boat captain and native Australian. Despite a bit of a language barrier, he’s going with Alice, the native Tahitian masseuse.      Attachments:  

Going with a Native.jpg
Going with a Native

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Miki is a helicopter pilot from Little Rock that was called in to fill in while Captain Z was off on a Mediterranean assignment. Miki definitely went native.      Attachments:  

Gone Bonkers.jpg
Gone Bonkers

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Jason, one of the boat guys, is a New Zealander but he knows how to do it like a native.      Attachments:  

Gone Crazy.jpg
Gone Crazy

    
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Finally…not the tidal zone, it’s the Zen zone.      Attachments:  

In a Zone.jpg
In a Zone

    
  
Tim Jones - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Dan,<br />Sorry I was of no help on Searey affairs for you. Evidently airport security does not have any power to influence government.......sorry. However, given the journal of your travels, I am happy to see that you have not allowed the 'Man' to keep you down in the South Pacific!     
  
Dan Nickens - Aug 22,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    No worries, Tim. Thanks for checking. I'm still working on it. I’m not going to surrender to the French bureaucrats without a good fight.     
  
Jeff Arnold - Aug 23,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Is it not easier to ask forgiveness than ask permission? What would happen if you just did it? 'I'm not going to surrender to the French bureaucrats without a good FLIGHT!'     
  
Russ Garner - Aug 23,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Dan, it's a boomer the French are so snooty down there. They run everything in French Polynesia. The French military has gun boats parked in Cook's Bay most of the time. They will board most boats and go through everything on the boat. It's no surprise that the French gave you a bad time with the Searey, they can be very cool toward Americans down there. I guess it might be hard to sell you on a timeshare down there.     
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Not everyone can be off the boat having fun. The Captain, “Ox” Anderson, consults with a local diver to find the best parking spots.      Attachments:  

Captain s Place.jpg
Captain s Place

    
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    What the Captain sees when he’s not staring out the port holes.      Attachments:  

Captain s View.jpg
Captain s View

    
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    The chef, Shawn, is the busiest guy on the boat. It’s best not to mess with him when he’s cooking.      Attachments:  

Chefs Place.jpg
Chefs Place

    
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    It would be wrong to think that she just washes clothes. In a former life she owned a dive boat on the Great Barrier Reef. Now she’s married to the ship’s engineer and fills in for vacationing crew when the boat is going to a good dive location.      Attachments:  

Laundry Lady.jpg
Laundry Lady

    
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Wendy is the lady that really runs the boat: a Kiwi that has traveled the world on luxury yachts.      Attachments:  

Queen of the Boat.jpg
Queen of the Boat

    
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    What’s for lunch? Catch of the day. More seafood, go figure. Ho hum.      Attachments:  

What s For Lunch.jpg
What s For Lunch

    
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    A little cutie managed to smile her way into a cold can of soda from the boat’s stores. (I hesitate to post this in light of recent interpretation of “Be Nice”, but I can confirm she was as nice as anyone I know.)      Attachments:  

Local Talent.jpg
Local Talent

    
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    All’s well that ends well, especially when in between was swell too. <br /><br />But, it wasn’t necessarily so.<br /><br />It all started with an idyllic daydream: sitting on the hangar deck staring out into wide open waters of the vast atoll lagoon. The sun was still just below the eastern horizon as the boat steamed towards a remote anchorage. The SeaRey sat placidly on the aft deck awaiting the day’s developments. There was nothing to suggest anything other than another peaceful pacific day was on its way.<br /><br />Nothing except for a slightly frantic looking local dive guide who had joined the boat in Rotoava. He didn’t see me as he rushed past towards the back of the boat. He abruptly turned and started back in. I was a bit irritated at having my early morning solitude interrupted, but I offered a quiet “Bon jour” anyway.<br /><br />Gaston jumped. Recovering slightly, he offered a meek, “Oui. Is a quiet morning, yes?”<br /><br />“Oui. It’s always quiet this early. The rest of the crew will be up in a few minutes. Are you looking for breakfast?”<br /><br />“Hmmm. No. Just looking at the sea. Calm, yes?”<br /><br />Not sure what he meant, but I agreed anyway. It was calm for the boat, but a bit choppy for SeaReys. Probably it was the difference in languages, I surmised. He quickly left me alone to watch the sun peek above the distant palm trees.<br /><br />A red glow reflected off the front of the tender being towed behind the boat. I was thinking of grabbing my camera for a sunrise reflection shot when it hit me: the sunrise was behind the tender. It shouldn’t be glowing on the opposite side.<br /><br />Where was the reflection coming from? I got up and walked aft towards the tender. The red glow grew brighter, and danced across the deck. <br /><br />I spun around. Flames mixed with black smoke were shooting up from the overhead deck. For a moment I stood mesmerized by the golden glow of the rising sun mixing with the blackness of the smoke and red bursts of flame. I had just opened my mouth to yell “fire” when the sky exploded.<br /><br />I was knocked down onto the deck. There was no sound except the incredible ringing in my ears. When I opened my eyes I saw that flaming debris falling all around. I jumped up and ran into the hangar as the deck got pelted.<br /><br />The hangar offered an insecure refuge. I could see burning liquid flowing off the upper deck and down across the port windows. The fire alarm broke through the ringing in my ears.<br /><br />Looking back towards the SeaRey I saw a couple burning spots on the left wing. Frantically I scanned the hangar for a fire extinguisher. I saw a broom first and grabbed it.<br /><br />Climbing up onto the port side fuel tanks I brushed away the flaming debris from the top of the wings. The flames were gone, but left behind were large dark splotches. That’s when I noticed I was standing on a fuel tank with small fires from burning debris all around. I jumped down and started swatting every fire in sight with the broom.<br /><br />Several of the crew ran out of the hangar with fire extinguishers. Wendy and Miki joined me in the frantic fire fighting.<br /><br />As we were spraying and swatting, the fire-suited forms of Tui and Joe emerged from the hangar and started towards the stairway. They were at the first rung when flaming liquid started dripping down the stairs. They backed away and disappeared into the ship to find another way up.<br /><br />From earlier emergency drills I knew the stairway was the assembly point for the ship. Other crew members emerged from the ship and looked warily at the dripping flames. Wendy motioned the girls to the other side of the boat.<br /><br />It seemed to me that the stream of burning liquid coming down the spiral stairway was growing. Miki was blasting at its base with the large fire extinguisher. He was losing the fight. It was getting closer to the SeaRey and the fuel tanks on the deck.<br /><br />As pilots, Miki and I had no orders for such an emergency other than “standing by”. That wasn’t a particularly attractive option. I was scared by the thought of what would happen when the burning fuel got to the SeaRey.<br /><br />The boat had come to a complete stop. I ran to the back and pulled the tender off to one side and secured it. That left the aft open. I raced back to the SeaRey and unstrapped the wheels from its cradle. Scrambling around the airplane I released the cradle brakes.<br /><br />“What are you doing? I could use some help,” Miki yelled.<br /><br />“What can I do?”<br /><br />“Get me another fire extinguisher. This one’s empty.” <br /><br />I looked back into the hangar. Wendy was bringing the one from the flight office out.<br /><br />I shrugged. “It looks like a losing battle anyway. I’m pushing the SeaRey off the back. It’s one less thing to burn.”<br /><br />Miki was backing up. “Okay, let’s push it off.” We both got on the front and began pushing.<br /><br />The cradle was not designed to roll down the stairs at the back of the boat. It was moving fast when it hit the stairs and skidded over the side with a huge splash. The cradle sank immediately and the SeaRey floated away to stern.<br /><br />“I guess I should have attached a line,” I said as it floated away.<br /><br />“Maybe it won’t matter. Let’s go help hook up the fire hose and spray the deck.” <br /><br />Wendy was way ahead of us. She already had it out and the Shaun was helping her wash the flaming liquid overboard. She motioned for Miki to help with hose.<br /><br />“I need to check the crew,” she told me. She handed me a list and said, “Call out the names and I’ll verify their location.”<br /><br />It seemed like a silly task until we found that no one had seen Alice or the diving guide. “You check the dive gear storage,” Wendy commanded. “I’m going to see if I can find Alice.”<br /><br />Both of us headed back into the hangar. It was mostly clear of smoke and the ship’s electrical system still seemed to be working. We split up as she went down and I went forward.<br /><br />No one was there in the diving storage area. I went back out to the aft deck.<br /><br />From the back things were definitely looking better. Fire had stopped coming down the stairwell and the aft deck was clear of flames. Looking up I could see the smoke from the helicopter pad was definitely lessened too.<br /><br />From the hangar Wendy emerged dragging Alice. “Quick! Get the oxygen!” she yelled. I had no idea where that might be. Two of the girls did and they took off.<br /><br />Wendy laid Alice out on the deck. “Is she breathing?” I asked.<br /><br />In answer Alice started coughing. “She was upstairs and got a lot of smoke,” Wendy replied, adding, “Hold still, Alice,” as Alice tried to rise. The oxygen mask appeared and Wendy quickly applied it.<br /><br />The Captain appeared. “Is everyone accounted for?”<br /><br />“No. We haven’t located Gaston. How is the fire?”<br /><br />“The fire is almost finished. The helicopter is too.”<br /><br />Miki grimaced. “Why? What happened?”<br /><br />“I don’t know. There was a leak from the helicopter. It ignited somehow.” Turning to Wendy and pointing to Alice he asked, “How is she?”<br /><br />“She took in a lot of smoke. We should get her to a hospital.”<br /><br />He nodded in reply. “First we find Gaston.” He picked up his radio and told Tui to start a search of the smoky rooms on top. Joe could finish with the smoldering helicopter. “Miki, you and Dan check with Andrew in engineering. Search below.” He sent several of the girls to the cabins.<br /><br />Miki and I met Andrew in the engine room. “We’re looking for Gaston,” I yelled. <br /> <br />“He’s not down here.”<br /><br />“Well, the Captain said we should look for him.”<br /><br />“He’s not down here. Deion has already checked everywhere.” Andrew turned back to his master control board signaling he was done with us.<br /><br />I figured the Captain wasn’t going to be happy, but there was no point in looking. Miki and I certainly didn’t know the area like Andrew and Deion.<br /><br />On deck the first mate was holding Alice and the oxygen mask. The rest of the crew was clearing debris. Wendy met us at the stairwell. “We found him. He was on the Intrepid.”<br /><br />I immediately saw that the Intripid, a large support boat, had now been pulled along side. The Captain was over there talking intensely to Gaston. I couldn’t hear what was being said.<br /><br />“What about Alice? Is anyone else hurt?”<br /><br />“No. Gaston wants to take her to shore in the Intrepid.”<br /><br />“That could take an hour or more,” Miki said.<br /><br />“Unless we take in the SeaRey,” I interjected.<br /><br />They both looked at me skeptically. The SeaRey hadn’t flown the whole trip after being grounded by the local bureaucrats. Miki said, “I saw the wings on fire. I don’t think that’s a good option.”<br /><br />I wasn’t listening. I rushed over to the Captain. The tense conversation ceased as I stood there. “I’d like to take the tender and go get the SeaRey,” I told him. “We can use it to take Alice to the hospital.”<br /><br />“No! Is not possible,” Gaston angrily replied. “I vill take her in these boat.”<br /><br />“I’ll decide that,” the Captain snapped. “You take the inflatable and get the SeaRey. Then we will see.”<br /><br />I turned and went to the tender. Miki joined me.<br /><br />“You aren’t really going to try and fly the SeaRey?” he asked. “You don’t know how badly damaged the wings are. And, it’s not permitted anyway.”<br /><br />“I didn’t see any holes in the fabric. I don’t care about the permits.” Miki just stared at me, then at the rapidly approaching SeaRey.<br /><br />Reaching the SeaRey I turned the boat over to Miki and grabbed a line. “Fix it to the tender,” I told him. “I’m gonna look at the wings.”<br /><br />I clambered into the cockpit and stood up in the seats. For a better look I climbed onto the gunwale. There were indeed some large black spots, but there were no holes. Well, maybe there was a small one. I couldn’t tell.<br /><br />“It’s fine,” I yelled to Miki. “Let’s take it back to the SuRi.”<br /><br />On the deck we could see a scuffle. The Captain grabbed Gaston from behind and pulled him off to a side. Wendy and one of the girls were restraining Mark. There was a lot of yelling.<br /><br />As we pulled up to the stern, the Captain pushed Gaston towards the Intrepid and told him to stay there. He turned to us as we came back aboard. “Is she flyable?” he asked.<br /><br />“Yes. The damage is not structural. It will fly.”<br /><br />“Then you will take Alice directly to the medical center at Fakarava. There is a beach across the road on the lagoon you can pull in to. Gaston, Tui and I will follow in the Intrepid. Mark will bring the SuRi.”<br /><br />That seemed a bit strange. There seemed to be no danger of the SuRi sinking, so I figured the Captain was just more concerned about Alice than the ship.<br /><br />With Mark and Wendy’s help, we got Alice into the tender and transferred her to the SeaRey. I put the oxygen cylinder behind her in the baggage compartment and buckled her in. She looked fully conscious and scared.<br /><br />“Have you ever flown in a seaplane before?” I asked.<br /><br />She shook her head.<br /><br />“Well, then, this should be quite a distraction for you.” She didn’t argue. That’s hard to do with a mask on.<br /><br />I yelled for the lines to be released. Miki was on the stern, shaking his head in disbelief.<br /><br />It was a thirty minute flight back to Rotoava. If Alice was nervous, she didn’t show it. Her breathing was quite regular, if somewhat labored.<br /><br />Rotoava was small enough that it took only one pass to identify the medical center. A palm lined white sand beach offered the perfect spot for beaching.<br /><br />As we taxied in a small crowd of on-lookers gathered along the shore. I cut the engine and coasted to a stop. “S’il vous plait…help?” My attempt at French had no effect. The anguished face under the oxygen respirator did. Staff from the medical center were summoned and they helped Alice out of the plane.<br /><br />I stayed with the growing group of curious by the plane. It didn’t take long before an official looking truck arrived. A uniformed man marched over.<br /><br />“Vos documents, s’il vous plait.”<br /><br />“Uhmmm…I don’t speak French?”<br /><br />“He wants your documents,” came the helpful translation from a barefoot teenage boy.<br /><br />“Okay,” I reached into the cockpit and pulled out a handful. The official seemed to study them slowly one by one.<br /><br />“Ceux-ci ne sont pas fran&#231;ais.”<br /><br />Without prompting the teenage translated. “He says your documents are not French.”<br /><br />I nodded slowly. “Right. They are American. I’m from the motor yacht SuRi. There was a fire and I brought an injured crew member to the clinic.”<br /><br />The teenager proceeded to translate that, though the delivery seemed a lot more energetic than I would have made it. There was a brief conversation that I didn’t understand. Finally, the teenager turned to me and said, “He wants you to stay here while he checks with Papeete.”<br /><br />“I’m not going anywhere.”<br /><br />The official looking truck squealed as the interrogator drove off with my documents. A few minutes later someone in a white coat came across to road to find me.<br /><br />“You ar zee pilout?”<br /><br />“Yes.”<br /><br />“Your friend Alice is, hmm, to be well. She weel stay here for, ummm, a bit.”<br /><br />I nodded.<br /><br />He was silent for a while as he looked at the airplane. Finally he asked, “You can fly far?”<br /><br />That caused me to pause and try to figure out why he would ask. He looked very serious. It seemed like more than polite conversation.<br /><br />“With full fuel, the airplane can fly several hundred miles.”<br /><br />“To Papeete?”<br /><br />I stared at him for a moment. “It could, but it wouldn’t be advisable.”<br /><br />“No?”<br /><br />“No. That’s one hundred fifty miles of open ocean. It would take a very good reason to fly a little seaplane that far over the ocean.”<br /><br />“A reason of necessity? Adequate?”<br /><br />I thought about it. “Maybe, but there would have to be no good alternative. It would have to be a dire emergency to take such a risk without proper planning.”<br /><br />“But you can do it, no?”<br /><br />“It would be far better to have a charter commercial flight from Papeete fly here. It would probably be faster and much safer.”<br /><br />He nodded, then turned around and went back into the clinic without saying another word. The crowd had thinned and I went back to sit in the airplane.<br /><br />It wasn’t long before the official truck came screeching to a stop by the beach. The officer jumped out of the truck, slamming the door and marching straight over to the SeaRey.<br /><br />There was a long outburst of high pitched French that followed, including much waiving of papers. I had no idea what he was saying, but it didn’t sound good. I just shrugged. My translator was nowhere in sight.<br /><br />The official’s face turned red. He summoned and pointed to the truck.<br /><br />“What about the truck? What do you want?”<br /><br />He became more agitated and emphatic about the truck. I figured he wanted me in the truck, but I didn’t want to leave the airplane. I just shrugged.<br /><br />The official turned and marched to the hospital. He returned shortly with the white coat guy.<br /><br />“Weel, the officer…umm…he says, you no may fly. He vants you go with him.”<br /><br />I nodded. “Please tell the officer that I need to secure the airplane, then I will go with him.”<br /><br />The officer waited impatiently. It was a fast and silent ride to an office in the harbor. I was summoned inside. There was a windowless office with a small desk. He pointed to the chair and I sat. He walked out and slammed the door.<br /><br />I don’t know how long I waited there. I had no watch. It seemed like hours.<br /><br />Finally the SuRi’s captain came in along with the now smug looking official.<br /><br />“Well, Dan, you have created quite a sensation. It seems a major aviation faux pas has been committed. You have flown in Polynesian airspace without authorization and you entered into the airport zone without being fluent in French.”<br /><br />“Yeah, so?”<br /><br />The Captain shrugged. “It offends the bureaucrats.”<br /><br />“Okay.”<br /><br />“Well, it could take a while to straighten out. It seems you refused to fly the clinic doctor to consult with his financial advisor in Papeete.”<br /><br />“His financial advisor?”<br /><br />“Yes. He is very concerned about his investments given the problems they are having in the European Union.”<br /><br />“Well, that’s so sad and too bad.”<br /> <br /><br />“And then there is the matter of a criminal investigation.”<br /><br />“Criminal investigation?” <br /><br />“Yes. Gaston says he saw you on the deck early this morning. He says you are the one who punctured the helicopter’s fuel tank and started the fire.”<br /><br />“Me?”<br /><br />“Yes, you. He says it is because you weren’t allowed to fly the seaplane.”<br /><br />I stared at the Captain dumbfounded. “You’re kidding, right?”<br /><br />“No, it is what Gaston says. Of course he was also up early and his diving knife reeks of diesel fuel.” Then he smiled for the first time. “I suspect that’s a clue.”<br /><br />“Well, yeah!”<br /><br />“But, Gaston says you may have conspired with Mark. Apparently Mark made him very angry by spending time with Alice. It turns out that Alice and Gaston have an old romantic interest. Mark had made arrangements with Miki to be dropped off by helicopter for a romantic lunch on a deserted beach. Gaston thought that was entirely inappropriate.”<br /><br />“Geez. I’m sure. How’s Alice?”<br /><br />“Alice is fine. She’ll stay overnight at the clinic?”<br /><br />“And the damage to the SuRi?”<br /><br />“Superficial. The helicopter is toast, though.”<br /><br />“Good riddance…er, I mean, I’m sorry about that. Maybe I can fly the SeaRey now.”<br /><br />“Ha! Like that’s gonna happen. In fact, I think you are being held until the state police and aviation authorities from Papeete arrive to sort this out.”<br /><br />“Oh, great. When will they be here?”<br /><br />“Well, it is a holiday and there is only one flight per day to Fakarava. It is booked solid until next week. Maybe they can get a flight then.”<br /><br />“What?”<br /><br />He laughed. “Yep. But I’ve arranged for house arrest for you on SuRi. Looks like you’ll be with us for at least a week.”<br /><br />What a nightmare! A week of no flying, stuck on a yacht out by a small Pacific Island. And that story has already been told: Gilligan’s Island.<br />      Attachments:  

Another Day Gone Good .jpg
Another Day Gone Good

    
  
Steve Kessinger - Sep 05,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    I kept waiting to read 'And then I woke up.'<br /><br />When I didn't read that and realized it wasn't a fictional story, I kept flashing back to the 2 Legacy pilots involved in the mid-air with the 737 in Brazil. <br /><br />Jay-sus, Dan....     
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 05,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Oh. Oops. Let me just add one more thing, 'And then I woke up...back in Florida' with no criminal record and no charred spots on the wing.     
  
Frank A. Carr - Sep 05,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    I vote this one of your best Top 10 Tales, Dan. Good show. The SeaRey saves the day.     
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    This is what happens when you can't earn you keep on the boat…you get kicked off…to make room for surf boards? Really? That’s just not right.      Attachments:  

Kicked off the Boat.jpg
Kicked off the Boat

    
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    How do you move a grounded SeaRey? Same way they built the pyramids. You bribe the local kids with candy.      Attachments:  

Child Labor.jpg
Child Labor

    
  
Russ Garner - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Dan, I bet those kids were making a good argument for a little better wheels on that cradle. I was looking at the red tie down strap connected to the cradle and the wings. I don't imagine that the cradle moves or bounces around much but if it did wouldn't it put less downward stress on the wing attach point to attach the tie down to the gear leg down by the wheels. That way if the Searey were to move around or bounce the wings would move along with the plane instead of trying to hold the plane to the cradle.     
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Good eyes, Russ. Those straps stabilize the wings during open ocean crossings. They probably should have been removed before turning it over to the kids.     
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    When you’re grounded, the simple stuff really stands out: red paint in a world of blue and green.      Attachments:  

Island Boat.jpg
Island Boat

    
  
Frank A. Carr - Sep 03,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Dan, couldn't agree more. I saw a similar color once. Your's <br />is better but I only had to go <br />a few miles for this one.      Attachments:  

Tarpon Lodge and Useppa.May.jpg
Tarpon Lodge and Useppa.May

    
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    At least you can stand on the seat when the sharks swim by.      Attachments:  

Reserved Seating.jpg
Reserved Seating

    
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Not a pot of gold, but not far from it. Sadly the SeaRey could not set off in search of that gold. The French authorities have no precedent for authorizing a U.S. built experimental aircraft to operate in their airspace.<br /><br />That didn’t keep me from trying. I contacted SeaRey friends throughout the European Union. They responded by providing documentation showing their authorizations to fly a SeaRey. This was submitted in support of the SeaRey.<br /><br />Then, I played my last card: an offer to conduct geological research into the effects of rising sea level as evidenced by depositional features on quartz sand grains viewed using scanning electron microscopy. The environmentally correct proposal was approved by the boss and translated into French by Salome.<br /><br />The bureaucrats are still deliberating. After a week’s delay getting a flight out, I returned home. But, if the research proposal is approved, I’ll be back to collect samples by SeaRey.<br />      Attachments:  

End of the Rainbow.jpg
End of the Rainbow

    
  
Troy iRMT Heavy Maint. Enriquez - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    OK Dan, this is what we are gonna do. I'm gonna call my people. they are gonna need to <br />contact your people. then our state department is gonna contact their state department. I <br />have some paper for you to sign. Then. We are gonna make a movie!!!     
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 02,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Really? Can we still get Bob Denver to play my part?     
  
Troy iRMT Heavy Maint. Enriquez - Sep 03,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Bob was a bad Pilot. so, no.<br />So was JFK Jr<br />Sorry John not Bob.     
  
Eric Batterman - Sep 03,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Sam Waterston has already agreed to play you Dan.<img src="inline/20039-sam_waterston.jpg" alt="sam-waterston"><!-- >'"><br><font color=red size=6>' or &gt; missing in user HTML. Please fix the HTML.</font> -->      Attachments:  

sam waterston.jpg
sam waterston

    
  
Troy iRMT Heavy Maint. Enriquez - Sep 03,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Thanks Eric. you are now in charge of casting. I can work with Sam. all I need is a good <br />2nd Camera crew and a kick ass LD. 1st. cam. is covered. maybe Peter Deming ???     
  
Chris Vernon-Jarvis - Sep 03,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    'Bob' Denver?<br /><br />He wasn't the one who sang 'Country Road!' Might not have been such a bad pilot either.     
  
Don Maxwell - Sep 03,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    Bob played Gilligan in 'Gilligan's Island.' John Denver was the singer.     
  
Lee Pfingston - Sep 05,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    When not singing John Denver was a Pilot, and I think a good one. Son of a WW II P-51 driver. He fell into the pacific ocean on his maiden flight of a just purchased experimental, Hunting for a gas valve he did not understand     
  
Dan Nickens - Sep 05,2011   Viewers  | Reply
    And Bob started out as Maynard G. Krebs, career Keroaucian beatnik (that's a prototypical hippie for you youngsters). I never heard of him flying, but he did work on a boat. Unfortunately he's long gone to some idyllic island in the sky.     


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