A Tragic Saga

RobLL · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2022 5:59 pm Post subject: A Tragic Saga

https://www.bwsailing.com/anatomy-of-a-tragedy-at-sea/

I don't think this has been previously posted. A harrowing tale of what can go wrong even for the well prepared.

Robert H. Wilkinson · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2022 7:25 pm Post subject:

Very sad story. Offshore your boat is your world. You must fix whatever breaks or,, unfortunately weather and seastate are even harder to fix.

Despite our knowledge, preparedness, experience and an array of modern electronic gadgetry mother nature still sees us as unruly toddlers tempting her.

Rob

Foggy · Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2022 8:57 am Post subject:

Sadly, sometimes, bad things happen to good people.

Aye.

thataway · Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2022 9:34 pm Post subject:

Very tragic. I have never used in boom or in mast reefing, having relied on slab reefing in a similar sized boat, but a ketch, with far less sail area in the main. Also if you think about reefing or there is any question; then reef sooner than later.

Things can go badly very rapidly--in this case only a few minutes between two very critical injuries, due to loss of control. Bringing the boat into the wind in 25' seas is not at all easy, and will present a very unstable platform.

Once you are xx miles at sea--it is all on those on the boat. There is no easy shore rescue. In this case, the CG was able to establish a refueling point for the helicopter. That is a unique situation which only happened because the large cutter was close enough to the helicopter route.