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Date: Thu Feb 02 2006 - 09:35:37 EST
Bryan wrote:<<internet communications available in 1991 as there is today,so sailors typically received their weather via VHF and HF radio>>
Agree with Bryan completely! I had bought my C27 in '90 but still considered myself new to sailing after a 20 year absence - and I was very leery of getting caught in bad weather - even on a major river off the Chesapeake Bay - which can see very severe t'storms pop up in late summer afternoons.
As a result, I tended to keep myself informed about conditions - I kept the VHF tuned to the weather channel and if it was being used for Comm I kept a little Radio Shack Wx radio on in the background.
I know it seems harsh to blame those who suffered, but IMHO, they either ignored severe weather reports and/or forecasts or were negligent for failing to find out what the weather was doing.
Not matter how "weather strong" or "blue water capable" your boat may be; to deliberatly or negligently put it in harm's way is foolhardy. When the public hears about the extraordinary costs involved in rescue missions they start calling for those rescued to pay back some of the millions of $$'s spent to find them. In cases like these, it's easy to see why they feel that way!
At one time Australia had rules requiring minimum safety equipment be on board before a cruiser was allowed to leave the country following some catastrophy at sea - probably they;re still in effect and people just stopped complaining about them? Haven't heard anyone complaining about them in a while.
Sincerely,
Larry T (Catalina 27)
A Blood Test for your oil - www.youroil.net
----- Original Message -----
From: Bryan Genez
To:
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2006 8:37 AM
Subject: 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
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