While we were below having dinner, Chico decided to inspect the boatyard adjacent to the fuel dock. Fortunately, Tom had reinstalled the Locator device on his collar. Off we went in the dark with the receiver and a flashlight looking for our missing crewman. I picked up a faint signal from inside the 12 ft fenced compound. How are we ever going to get to him, I wondered.
I'd stepped down a curb on my way past one wall. When walking back I forgot it was there and tripped and fell. I skinned my knee and top of my left foot. Tom heard me go down with a "thud" and asked if I broke my leg. I was angry and the fall and at Chico and replied "F___ No, I'm fine!"
A security guard on a 4 week ATV showed up, wanting to know what we we up to. We explained about our lost gato. He let me climb up his vehicle to see if I could see Chico. Then the signal started getting weaker. Shortly there after the security guard is walking with me saying "here kitty, kitty". I was focused on the signal on the receiver, it was getting stronger so we were getting closer. The guard spotted him first because I was looking at the signal. "There he is!" - the guard was as excited as I was. Chico was rolling around on his back in the grass. I reached through a space in the fence and grabbed that orange cat by the scruff of his neck, and pulled him to the same side of the fence. He was scared and I held him tightly as we walked back to the boat.
He hadn't been off the boat since last 4th of July weekend. We'd spent Friday night at the dock that weekend and Ray and Jennifer were coming the next day to sail to Cat Harbor, Catalina. I was making shrimp for dinner, Chico love shrimp as much as I do. He's usually in position near on the steps near the counter waiting for handouts, but wasn't there. I look the Locator but couldn't pick up his signal. I figured he was off exploring other boats as usual. He finally showed up - soaking wet. It seems he decided it was time for unauthorized swimming lesson. We don't know how he fell in, or how he got out, but he never left the boat again. At least until San Jose del Cabo!