We've only been in the Keys a short time, but in that narrow window the Keys have revealed themselves to us in many interesting ways. Today for instance, as I continued to work out the business model for this new network, I sat in my living room. Out of the south appeared a very hi-tech Navy or Coast Guard helicopter. Helicopters are not all that unusual. We get lots of interesting flyovers down here, but this helicopter was one of the ones you would see doing a search and rescue type mission. It hovered offshore directly SE of my house, maybe a 1/2 mile out. Most interesting was it's altitude. It couldn't have been more than 100 ft above the water. My curiosity got the best of me. Specs in hand, I headed for the porch. As I scanned the situation surrounding the event, I notice a dark object in the water, relatively below the aircraft. I saw what looked like typical ocean debris. Then I saw what appeared to be two heads. I really couldn't get a bead on it, but if I had to guess, I would say there were people clinging to some kind of floating flotsam. The chopper did not appear to be in any huge hurry, but stayed vigilant. Soon, a nearby boat motored it's way toward the scene. It was a 30 foot commercial express of some sort. Definitely a working boat. Not navy or pleasure. Somehow or other they were engaged in this. The boat approached the debris and circled it. Soon, the helicopter sent down the life ring. Then a serviceman was sent down the cable to the boat. I watched and waited for someone to be lifted up, but it never happened, nor was the fellow sent down taken back up. Shortly thereafter, the boat cruised off and the chopper eased off to the south.
Later on that day I recieved a call from my wife, informing me that two Cubans had been picked up in Niles Channel that morning. I told her what I had watched and we agreed that I had been a witness to the event. Many Cubans manage to wash themselves ashore here annually. This small group did not make it. I wonder what fate awaits them and what would compel someone to risk their lives in over 100 miles of ocean waters to make it ashore in the Florida Keys. Whatever their reason, it make you stop and think about what we have here and maybe to just roll with the punches a bit more everyday.
Tom Forsythe
