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The Halibut Cove incident

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The Halibut Cove incident

Anyone else see this? Seems to be blowing up even in mainstream news.

Curious if any locals have insight on unfriendliness toward float planes. (Calling Wes)

https://v.redd.it/o5hhftan75k91

Another view:
https://v.redd.it/zklsnrmw6qj91
Zzz offline
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Re: The Halibut Cove incident

Zzz wrote:Anyone else see this? Seems to be blowing up even in mainstream news.

Curious if any locals have insight on unfriendliness toward float planes. (Calling Wes)

https://v.redd.it/o5hhftan75k91

Another view:
https://v.redd.it/zklsnrmw6qj91


This has been blowing up on the SPA facebook page, too. Here's an interview with the pilot:

https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2022/08/26/floatplane-pilot-describes-close-encounter-with-boat-halibut-cove/

I've never heard of anything like this happening in Alaska - just about the friendliest place on the planet to seaplanes and bushplanes.
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Re: The Halibut Cove incident

CapnMike wrote:
Zzz wrote:Anyone else see this? Seems to be blowing up even in mainstream news.

Curious if any locals have insight on unfriendliness toward float planes. (Calling Wes)

https://v.redd.it/o5hhftan75k91

Another view:
https://v.redd.it/zklsnrmw6qj91


This has been blowing up on the SPA facebook page, too. Here's an interview with the pilot:

https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2022/08/26/floatplane-pilot-describes-close-encounter-with-boat-halibut-cove/

I've never heard of anything like this happening in Alaska - just about the friendliest place on the planet to seaplanes and bushplanes.


Oh, they're out there. Years ago, a very polite, highly professional pilot on Kodiak came to my office and stated that "There's an asshole down at Uganik Lake that desperately needs a citation." He was an air taxi pilot, and enroute to pick up a part of fishermen, he landed at Uganik Lake to drop off his boss's friends to do a little fishing, with a plan to pick them up in a few hours.

Turned out there was an Otter parked there, so he moved as far down the beach as he could so as not to disturb that group.

As soon as he parked, one guy came running down the beach, screaming that this was HIS beach, and HIS fishing spot, and that Hal had better get the hell out of there before he taught him a lesson.

Rather than leave the people there with that jackass, Hal brought them back to town, with a plan to go ahead with the pickup, but not drop off the folks at Uganik.

I'd never seen Hal angry, not even close, but he was fuming.

So, I ran to my house quick like, changed out of my uniform, climbed in my personal plane and flew to Uganik Lake. Sure enough, there was an Otter and seven people fishing the outlet of the lake. So, I landed about where I figured Hal had, some distance away. And, sure enough, here came a guy, running down the beach, screaming at the top of his lungs that this was his fishing spot, and I was ruining his clients fishing experience, etc. When he got close to me, he reached down and grabbed a handful of sand and threw it at me.

That's when I showed him my badge and credentials and asked him to see his special use permit for guiding on a National Wildlife Refuge, and his guides license. Suddenly, he became quite friendly...... Of course he didn't have a special use permit, which I already knew, cause I was the guy who issued those.

Ultimately, i issued him a citation (cost him $300), ordered him to gather his clients (after I checked everyone's fishing license and catch, of course) and depart. Turns out he was one of the bigger outlaws on the Alaska Peninsula at the time, and had decided to bring some clients to Kodiak.

A few weeks later, I received an application from his operation for a Special Use Permit to fish on Kodiak. After consulting the US Attorney, I sent him a nice flowery letter that suggested we didn't need his type on Kodiak.

They're out there, and been out there for many, many years. Fortunately, there aren't many of them and it's big country. I sincerely hope the driver of that boat loses her 100 ton Master's license, and that the Troopers issue a summons for something.....road rage, maybe. There is simply no excuse for that sort of behavior....she needs to go to jail to cool off.

MTV
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Re: The Halibut Cove incident

Yikes,

I have a good friend that flys (works) out of Homer, I will ask him.

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Re: The Halibut Cove incident

I'f love to hear about any followup with the Halibut Cove incident.
Who was this boater? Were they fined?
etc etc
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Re: The Halibut Cove incident

ZPilot wrote:I'f love to hear about any followup with the Halibut Cove incident.
Who was this boater? Were they fined?
etc etc


She’s co owner of the lodge at Halibut Cove, and the operator of the ferry that runs Katchemak Bay.

Authorities are investigating.

MTV
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Re: The Halibut Cove incident

mtv wrote:A few weeks later, I received an application from his operation for a Special Use Permit to fish on Kodiak. After consulting the US Attorney, I sent him a nice flowery letter that suggested we didn't need his type on Kodiak.


That was a beautiful story!
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Re: The Halibut Cove incident

Yeah, apparently the owner of the restaurant and the lodge have a history of feuding. Sounds like she has lost grip with reality a bit
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Re: The Halibut Cove incident

There is a common saying that Alaska is the biggest small town. Once a reputation is lots it’s hard to get it back.
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Re: The Halibut Cove incident

I’ve heard it said that the north is the world’s largest collection of oddballs and misfits. It appears to have some evidence from time to time.
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Re: The Halibut Cove incident

Someone needs to get hooked up over that one. Stupid games earn stupid prizes.
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Re: The Halibut Cove incident

My wife and I were visiting my wife's sister in homer in June 1984. Her boss took us over to Halibut bay in his 50 footer the Roman E for some fishing and lunch at the Saltry. We had no idea about all the drama amongst the locals. I hope justice is done about the harassment going on there now.


Image
The Roman E docked in Halibut Cove.


Image
The Saltry. Its name comes from the time when they salted the herring here in the old days.


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Some of the scenery in Kachemak Bay
Last edited by tcj on Tue Aug 30, 2022 2:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The Halibut Cove incident

CompSciAndFly wrote:Yeah, apparently the owner of the restaurant and the lodge have a history of feuding. Sounds like she has lost grip with reality a bit


Nobody warned her about the new age of smartphone camera coverage. You can't do anything today without being recorded in some way.
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Re: The Halibut Cove incident

Hey! I resemble that.....
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Re: The Halibut Cove incident

We shouldn't be speculating without the whole story.
Maybe she just likes the pilot and wanted to get his attention. :D
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Re: The Halibut Cove incident

Justice served.




Big Tire Pilots - STOL Pilots- Backcountry •
Pilots- Mountain Pilots
John Dahlen • 5h • S
Follow-up on K-Bay seaplane harassment incident (from
Alaska Beacon, 10/16/23):
X
A Kachemak Bay restaurant owner and artist who faced federal charges after allegedly harassing a seaplane with a boat will pay a $25,000 fine under a plea deal with prosecutors, according to documents filed last week.
Marian Tillion Beck, founder and owner of the Saltry Restaurant in Halibut Cove, was charged earlier this year after a viral video showed her operating a boat that repeatedly veered in front of the seaplane, which was carrying passengers for a bear viewing and sightseeing tour.
Beck will plead guilty to one of the two charges in the case, gross negligent operation of a vessel, while the other charge of attempted destruction of aircraft will be dismissed, according to the agreement, which still must be approved by a judge.
Beck will pay the fine and also relinquish her mariner's license to the U.S. Coast Guard, according to the terms of the 16-page agreement, which was filed Thursday. She owns a ferry boat, the Danny J, that carries restaurant customers from Homer across the bay to the Saltry.
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