A couple of local sailors decided to take their 5.2 out yesterday afternoon for a little ocean sailing in 35+ winds with gusts over 45. Needless to say, it was a heck of a ride, but they hit something under the water and snapped both daggers clean off at the hulls. They flipped and the sails were shredded under water. Fortunately, they had a cell phone and some flares, so they were rescued by a coast guard helicopter. They said it was heart breaking flying away and seeing the boat for the last time.

Regardless, if anyone hears about a beached 5.2 along the VA/NC coast, please let me know. They are friends of mine and want to salvage anything they can.

Boy, it's good to hear about people being smart on the water!

WOW! If the guys are all right, let's get their story!

I wonder if anyone has ever had a similar incident?

Jake, were you being serious or sarcastic?

I was serious! They had flares and a cell phone - they were thinking ahead and kept a bad situation from getting much worse.

But, on the other hand, was it smart to be out there in the first place?

It was pretty predictable that they would have a problem in those winds. And a helicopter rescue is always a very expensive and dangerous operation -- dangerous for both the sailors and for the rescue people.

As far as I can tell, the problem they had wasn't related to the conditions, but rather something under the water. I wonder what it was that they hit.

You're right Mary. When I read what Jake wrote, I figured that he was serious, and I do agree with him to a point. They were trying to plan ahead, but the first thing I thought of was --- why go out in inprotected waters in those conditions? I quit thinking I was bullet proof over 20 years ago.

A cell phone and road flares (yes, they brought road flares) hardly sounds like planning ahead to me. They are so lucky to have gotten a signal let alone reach the coast guard. I don't see what a cell phone a road flares would do for them a mile out to sea.
It was an off-shore breeze - or rather blow. No chance of getting pushed back to the shore.

I'm glad they are okay, but I truly hope they reconsider going out in conditions like that. It's just plain stupid.

Tracie

Tracie: FYI, I've gotten cell phone signal more than 3 miles out while cruising off key west.

Its amazing what the reception on those things is like when you have a clear LOS to a tower with nothing in between.

the dagger boards probably broke from a large broad side wave, which would be classified as 'something in the water'

I just think we all need to be reminded that:

Rescuers cannot isolate the direction of a cellular signal. You get a signal, make a distress call, battery goes dead or unit becomes damaged by water, next thing you know you are no where near your original location and your rescuers have no way to track you.

Unlike a VHF radio, a cell phone call is heard by one party.

While having a cell phone as a secondary communication device is good, its a far cry from being 'smart on the water' to rely upon it as your sole source of communications, especially when you are heading out on the water in extreme conditions on a catamaran.

Tracie

I'm guessing that you've never actually tested the "waterproof" vhf radios as to just how waterproof they are.

I've been through a couple already, one good dunk and they're toast.

Alright - 'smart' may have been giving them a little too much credit but they could have been a lot dumber.

STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!

Did these individuals think about their families before pulling this stunt? Do they know the cost to taxpayers for their rescue due to poor judgement.

I hope no one thinks these guys are "cool". Incidents like this reflect poorly on multihull sailing and its community.

I'll sign my name to this one.

Bob Hodges
A-Class USA 147

Sorry--I took the weekend off and didn't reply to anything. I got a little more info from them, but they are probably going to give a full story to Damon on thebeachcats.com.

I told Tracie that they had road flares, but they actually had a gun. They were on the phone with the Coast Guard and shot off 4 flares (out of 6!) before they were spotted. Part of the problem was that they thought they were somewhere else, so the CG was looking about a mile or two down the coast.

When they hit something, they were moving, but not sideways. I think the sideways wave theory sounds the best, but they claim they were going pretty fast.

Granted, they weren't too bright going out in that kind of wind, but they were experienced in very high winds. The wind was blowing off shore, so it was like glass for about 150 yards, then it turned hellish. I think the only other thing that would have helped would have been an EPRB. I'm planning on buying one this winter since I'm thinking about some long trips next year.

Jake,

That's true, they could have done worse. Sorry if it seemed like I was picking on you, I was just using your statement to make a point about the safety.

Tracie

I know I'm going to catch a lot of flak for this, so I'm equipping the Pb jacket here.

Would I have gone out in 35knot winds given the opportunity? I'd probably do it if I was comfortable with the seaworthiness of my vessel. I'd never do it alone.

I wouldn't go out into the ocean probably. If I did, It'd be barely outside the breakers maybe 200 feet off the beach.

I think we all sail for different reasons, personally, I do it for the thrill. Always hanging onto the edge of disaster, teetering on a fine line between break neck speed and being in the drink. You can't get more thrilling than 35 knots. I've done 25-30 before, and I'm more than confident in my skills to handle 35 in "survival mode."

Some of you guys are getting on them for not being adequately prepared. Some of you are pissed off that they went out there in the first place. Point is that all that was lost was a material possession that can be replaced. The coasties got to do what our taxpayer dollars pay for... no harm, no foul in my book. I know its going to be an unpopular opinion, but thats just the way I see it.

Flame away, tell me how young and stupid I am.

Nobody needs to say it - they can see it.

Tracie

ouch!