A blog on the log

While we lay peacefully on anchor in Boqueron Bay we learned the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron lesson of why it is important to keep a log.
It is always an inconvenience to keep a log as one travels along. It always seems unnecessary and too much trouble. Things are going great - what could ever happen that we'd need the log? Why bother? We're too busy sailing or too tired, or its too rough, or things are too wet - oh, we know the problems involved and to be honest we succumb to the excuses all too often. However, our experience in Boqueron has given us motivation to make the effort.
Our VHF radio picked up a Mayday call to the U.S. Coast Guard, Puerto Rico at 0900hours. (How unusual for us to even consider a coast guard would be there to help - we've become very accustomed to feeling totally responsible for our own actions).
The Mayday was from the sailing vessel "Avanti". She had 2 people on board (2 young fellows), had 2 reefed sails up and was taking on water as the vessel listed (both sides).
The wind was blowing out of the east at 20 knots, the 5' seas were in full white caps and there was heavy haze limiting visibility.
Avanti was in distress, she had made VHF radio contact with the Coast Guard, but was unable to give her location. Their GPS was showing jibberish on the screen. They reported that every now and then it would clear up but they had not noted what it read at those times.
They were not keeping a log.
They had an EPIRB on board but it was not functioning (battery dead?).
They did however believe they were l6 miles off of Puerto Rico's south-west tip (possibly a chart plotter on board).
A coast guard helicopter was dispatched using the only resource available for location - the VHF radio connection.
They had Avanti count over the radio which enabled the helicopter's direction finder to hone in on their location.
The assistance of other vessels in the area was called in to play as their GPS co-ordinates were noted and they were asked if they could hear Avanti's radio transmission, thereby eliminating sectors they were in.
One hour after the Mayday call the coast guard helicopter located Avanti, 4 miles off shore at Cabo Rojo (south-west tip of Puerto Rico).
A discussion ensued regarding whether the risk factors of lowering a pump to Avanti's deck out-weighed the situation on board. It was decided that Avanti was holding her own and it would be too dangerous to lower the pump.
The helicopter maintained an escort until a rescue vessel arrived at Avanti's location.
We were grateful to Avanti for the lessons they taught us regarding being complacent in keeping the log and checking the battery (and servicing) the EPIRB.
Later that same day, as we made our way to Cabo Rojo, we passed Avanti. She was under-sail heading in to Boqueron Bay, still holding her own.