Next message: (no email): "Re: [world-cruising] hurricane 2"
On 2/1/06, Ken James <> wrote:
>
> One of the fronts that formed the "perfect storm" was the remnants of a
> hurricane that was in the N. Atlantic a bit south of Bermuda. The
> infamous
> Westsail being discussed in this thread departed Maine for Bermuda when
> the
> hurricane was still active in that area.
>
> Reply;
> I temember the events very well, was in Norfolk when that front hit, it
> was
> bad just by itself, but I did not recall that one of the fronts was a
> hurricane...it was a while back!
>
> I don't doubt the peson with the Westsail made a lot of mistakes...his
> biggest being crew selection maybe. Next was leaving the boat.
> I remember they said it was taking on water...I think almost any boat
> would
> be taking on some water in such conditions, but obviously it was not a
> very
> serious problem! OTOH, it was pretty stupid to set out into the N. Atl, at
> such a time.-Ken
There have only been two accounts written of the Westsail's ill-fated voyage
that I know of: Junger's "Perfect Storm" and the website account written by
the owner's son. I don't know how many factual errors are in the first -
the location of the ultimate beaching has been pointed out - but I do know
there are many errors in the second. It's been years since I read the
website account, so I won't try to enumerate them, as I'm sure I've
forgotten many details.
IMO, the biggest mistake was leaving safe harbor when life-threatening
weather lay in (or near) the intended route of the sailboat. The hurricane
was known and was being tracked by the National Hurricane Center, and was
being reported on all the normal channels available to the mariner. There
wasn't the same internet communications available in 1991 as there is today,
so sailors typically received their weather via VHF and HF radio. One just
did not set out to sea without the most current weather in hand. This
skipper either had the weather and chose to depart in the face of it, or he
neglected to get the weather before departure. Either was potentially a
fatal error.
Leaving for an extneded passage immediately after two unknown crew appeared
was stupid. That error certainly contributed to the events that followed.
Beyond that, I have opinions based upon what I've read, but since that
information might not be factual, I'll keep those opinions to myself.
--
Best,
Bryan Genez
"Capella" V40-158
New Bern, NC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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