Kevin,
I experienced separation anxiety this summer during OCRA's "Round the Bay distance race on Maumee Bay near Toledo. I was sailing my new (to me) Taipan 4.9 as a Unirig in winds averaging close to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph based on data from a buoy. (Didn't know it at the time.) Part way through the race, both of my rudders kicked up simultaneously. I am not sure what I may have hit, but neither rudder showed any damage. Not having the gorilla arms needed to sail with the rudders up, I pointed the boat into the wind, let the main loose and started to work on getting the rudders down. While distracted by this, I manage to capsize the boat. No problem...I right the boat on the first try and while trying to get back on, it goes over again and I lose my grip on it. Time stands still....the boat does not. I contemplate my options as my boat drifts away. I have a cell phone in a waterproof bag but opt to use the required rescue whistle. An alert Hobie 16 crew (Matt & Laurie Bounds) notices that there is no one in the vicinity of the T4.9(now about 100 yards away) and they hear my whistle at about the same time. Just as I set my butt down on their tramp, I look up in time to see a Coast Guard rescue boat blasting across the waves. All hopes for a discrete exit from this situation are flushed as they head directly for my boat. It turns out a freighter heading out of the shipping channel had seen my swimming lesson and called the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard was extremely helpful and patient as I dropped the sail and untangled lines. They towed me in, gave me a ride back to get my trailer and helped me get the boat back on the trailer. I was very thankful for all their assistance, although having my boat on display on the Coast Guard station lawn was not exactly what I had planned that day.

Matt & Laurie Bounds won the race after assisting me and rumor has it that they got some environmental award for pulling trash out of Maumee Bay. You can read about it at www.sailocra.com I am very thankful for the assistance by all parties involved.

P.S. I will never sail a distance race without that whistle (& a marine radio).

Bill Moran
T4.9 #224