10-14-2011, 01:47 PM
Sad day
THIS WAS COPIED TO SHOW WHAT IS GOING ON OUT THERE!!!
Well it has begun. Ben Griffith long time owner of Morning Star Charters told me that he turned the keys over to the bank last week. I worked for Ben for 9 years and even though some on BD did not think highly of the operation and others mistakenly attacked the boat for being a "God Squad" Ben was always fair and honest with anyone who interacted with him. Ben you will be missed.
He also said there will be many more doing the same this winter so I hope you guys have a few boats to fish on next year.
**It's a bummer for anyone to lose their boat. I fished the BMS several times during my "budget" days, but man we always plugged that thing. Not upper crust but for the working stiffs, it worked. Hope Ben can move on, maybe retire. **BMS
I dont post alot about boats I ride coz each person's experience is what you make of it. I heard all of the rumors about the BMS back when I started. I did not care because the discounts for two people made it affordable to ride. The tippyness was no matter, better to be on the water in a tippy boat then not on the water.
About the God Squad thing? Its just silly. The times I rode that boat there was more than enough cursing, and I never heard a lecture. Yes you could see the displeasure but it was never overt. To each their own as long as I could fish.
The boat seemed to always run the distance and work hard at getting the fish. Not always the best fish handling but hey, take it or leave it. If you dont like the service then walk.
What is sad and tragic is that we have the greatest charter fleet in world and its dying. Yes the top boats will survive and may strive without more competition. Then without competition things change, the cream ceases to rise if there is nothing under it.
The fuel prices, the fishery, the economy have all conspired to weaken the whole industry and make it vunerable to failure and attack by the enviro's. Its sad and its gonna mark the end of something special. I dread the day when I wont be able to take my son's long range fishing for economic reasons or just because there are not boats to go on. I hope I dont see it in my life time.
Whats left to say? Here is a guy, a fisherman, who is failing. We should not jump on his back to push him down because of his religious beliefs, rather we should be worried its just the start of a downward slide that will affect us all.
To Ben, the crew of the BMS and all of the people that made a living throught the association - I am sorry to hear the news. Hopefully things will get better for you soon. Good luck.
**End of an Era. That sucks.
**Cost of fuel, insurance, landing fees, city fees, permits, fed-state-local taxes, add in a couple bad years of minimal pelegics and unable to get off the docks............. I have no idea how any of these guys are able to hold onto their businesses. Sorry to hear about the loss of the BMS.![[Image: frown.gif]](http://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
THIS WAS COPIED TO SHOW WHAT IS GOING ON OUT THERE!!!
Well it has begun. Ben Griffith long time owner of Morning Star Charters told me that he turned the keys over to the bank last week. I worked for Ben for 9 years and even though some on BD did not think highly of the operation and others mistakenly attacked the boat for being a "God Squad" Ben was always fair and honest with anyone who interacted with him. Ben you will be missed.
He also said there will be many more doing the same this winter so I hope you guys have a few boats to fish on next year.
**It's a bummer for anyone to lose their boat. I fished the BMS several times during my "budget" days, but man we always plugged that thing. Not upper crust but for the working stiffs, it worked. Hope Ben can move on, maybe retire. **BMS
I dont post alot about boats I ride coz each person's experience is what you make of it. I heard all of the rumors about the BMS back when I started. I did not care because the discounts for two people made it affordable to ride. The tippyness was no matter, better to be on the water in a tippy boat then not on the water.
About the God Squad thing? Its just silly. The times I rode that boat there was more than enough cursing, and I never heard a lecture. Yes you could see the displeasure but it was never overt. To each their own as long as I could fish.
The boat seemed to always run the distance and work hard at getting the fish. Not always the best fish handling but hey, take it or leave it. If you dont like the service then walk.
What is sad and tragic is that we have the greatest charter fleet in world and its dying. Yes the top boats will survive and may strive without more competition. Then without competition things change, the cream ceases to rise if there is nothing under it.
The fuel prices, the fishery, the economy have all conspired to weaken the whole industry and make it vunerable to failure and attack by the enviro's. Its sad and its gonna mark the end of something special. I dread the day when I wont be able to take my son's long range fishing for economic reasons or just because there are not boats to go on. I hope I dont see it in my life time.
Whats left to say? Here is a guy, a fisherman, who is failing. We should not jump on his back to push him down because of his religious beliefs, rather we should be worried its just the start of a downward slide that will affect us all.
To Ben, the crew of the BMS and all of the people that made a living throught the association - I am sorry to hear the news. Hopefully things will get better for you soon. Good luck.
**End of an Era. That sucks.
**Cost of fuel, insurance, landing fees, city fees, permits, fed-state-local taxes, add in a couple bad years of minimal pelegics and unable to get off the docks............. I have no idea how any of these guys are able to hold onto their businesses. Sorry to hear about the loss of the BMS.
Let God lead the way!
Give a man a fish he eats for one day, teach him to fish he eats forever!
Give a man a fish he eats for one day, teach him to fish he eats forever!
