Seattle couple & two dogs rescued

localboy · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 7:03 pm Post subject: Seattle couple & two dogs rescued

The two had survival suits...but the dogs had to "rough (ruff) it". Laughing

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 7:44 pm Post subject:

Hmmm... they were forced to abandon their vessel, but hope to recover it. Wonder what the reason was to abandon ship?

localboy · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 7:48 pm Post subject:

rogerbum · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject:

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 12:31 am Post subject:

The Pacific Star was their fishing vessel and was left behind. See:

Lower Center Photo and 11 others.

Joe. Teeth

Levitation · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:08 am Post subject:

I have noticed that often - the majority in fact - of small boats abandoned during storms are found floating upright and doing nicely on their own after the storms abate... I suspect the abandonment is primarily a factor of fatigue, battering, fear, and motion sickness - as opposed to a boat that is flooded to the companionway and poised to sink in the next large wave breaking over it...
Having said that I do not offer the opinion that I am made of any sterner stuff than the folks who finally throw in the towel...

rogerbum · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:42 am Post subject:

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:29 am Post subject:

The couple was interviewed by phone on the Sunday Today Show this morning. When asked about "why", he stated that they were getting low on fuel... then said they had reserve fuel. Sounds more like they were overwhelmed with the conditions.

Walldog · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:38 am Post subject:

Maybe they are selling it....to the insurance company. Idea

At least they did not feel their dogs had outlived their usefulness.

ghone · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:13 pm Post subject:

It is quite true it seems that people give up before thier boat does, that boat is looking real good there, nice and high. I just had an acquaintance leave a boat halfway to Bermuda over similar problems. They too are going to try to find it. In the meantime it is a navigational hazard. We won't talk about the folly of a passage New York to Bermuda in winter or hurricane season. A passage west coast to Hawaii is also very questionable in November. One must do these voyages in season. Fatigue, seasickness, fear, isolation even the desire for a hot meal and a shower and many other emotional things run thru ones head on passage. Having been there in the Bering Sea, Davis Strait and the open Pacific, I have felt the need to have Scotty 'beam" me out of there once or twice. My skipper buddy Winston calmly remarked while we were hove to 500 miles north of Dutch Harbour in 50 knot winds and 25' plus seas that "today may be the day we capsize" he having survived a roll over in a ketch off Africa, he would know. I climbed back into my bunk and prayed. Hitting the overhead of your bunk when the boat falls off a wave for the 9 hundreth time adding to your fatigue, lonliness and illness. The major difference on voyages I have been on is the lack of long range radio gear aboard, by choice. Once committed to go to sea, you are on your own. 2 friends of mine and myself sailed 7500 miles West to East thru the fabled Northwest Passage in 1995 and our credo was, "no outside help" . It is amazing how creative and to what depths humans can pull reserves when the alternative is not available. We had a fine adventure becasuse we were well prepared. It didn't succeed because of the amount of gear aboard which was minimal, as we sailed a supremely tough little 27 foot wheelhouse equiped motor sailor built in steel. It worries me that when ill found voyages need rescueing it adds fuel to the flame for all expeditions/cruises be bonded for rescue. We do not want to loose our freedom to travel and adventure without having to post bonds, and be inspected etc. my 2 cents