As you know, I take an annual trip with my Pastor to Martha's Vineyard with his sailboat.
Our first day saw us leave the Severn and run up the bay to the C & D Canal. We usually go through the canal and anchor opposite it in Delaware Bay. This year, the evening was going to be so pretty (clear skies, half moon for light, and favorable tide); we decided to travel down the Delaware Bay to Cape May N.J.
This is normally day two of our trip, but we arrived in Cape May early the next day for a good breakfast, shower, and a quick nap.
We left Cape May at 2pm and headed up the coast for our next destination, Sandy Hook. Along the way, we heard a weather report calling for some rain and building seas later that evening. This was nothing unusual for us. We travel in rain all the time. But, because we were a day ahead in our trip, we made the uncharacteristic decision to pull into Atlantic City and get a slip
We went into the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino and ate a nice meal. We took showers at Farley State Marina, and we bedded down for a sound sleep.
At 4:45 am Ed and I were awakened by the Preacher with these words, "Marty, Ed, I'm in trouble". We jumped out of our bunks and asked what was the matter. The Preacher couldn't breath. He was struggling for every breath.
We immediately called 911 and assistance was swift to arrive. He was taken off the boat unresponsive. A breathing tube was inserted and I rode to the ER with him in the ambulance.
Later that morning, he was transferred to a "Heart Hospital" and I went with him to Atlanticare Regional Medical Center in N.J. He is in ICU and awaiting surgery.
His family arrived and Ed and I brought the boat back to his slip in the Severn.
He has a long road ahead of him. Prayers for him and his family would be appreciated. I just returned from "buttoning up" his boat.
Prayers for the Preacher
5th (Marty)