Bushes, Mulroneys forced to abandon ship

KENNEBUNKPORT — The White House said it was nothing like a rescue at sea and there was no real danger to the leaders of the United States and Canada.

But there may have been a bit of chagrin on the part of George Bush when his prized speedboat, Fidelity the Cigarette boat, konked out on the high seas with Brian Mulroney aboard.

Bush and his wife Barbara took the visiting Canadian prime minister and his wife Mila for a spin on the ocean following the joint Bush-Mulroney news conference Monday.

No sooner had they sped away from the Bush compound on Walker’s Point, however, when Fidelity suffered an “alternator burnout,” according to a written report from the White House press secretary, Marlin Fitzwater.

“Thus the boat was unable to operate,” the statement said.

The boaters were transferred to the Coast Guard boat that trails along when Bush is out on the water.

“There was no need for any special rescue of emergency equipment.

“There was never any danger to the president or the prime minister.

“Fidelity is being towed back to Walker’s Point,” Fitzwater reported.

There was no word on future employment for the boat mechanic.