The fishing boat sank. All 10 fishermen aboard were recovered but one later died at the hospital.
What happened; SOMEONE DIED!Let the armchair sailing begin. Love all the expert opinions so far. Must be awesome to be so knowledgeable and wise that you know what happened and what the cause is even before the investigation is only a day of two in.
I did speculate that the crew, the committee and the fisherman were probably tired. I had just listened to an NPR program where an author has just released a new book based on his research into human performance that is timing based. The book is called "When". The author talks about when the best performances can be expected and when the worst times are.Not really too much speculation, if those are indeed the facts!
Your own statement confirms my point.The cause: Perhaps it had a tiny bit to do with sailing into one of the world's busiest harbors in the dark @ 20 knots!
Not really too much speculation, if those are indeed the facts!
I think there is little doubt that every member of every crew on races like this are operating on the edge of extreme fatigue at all times. I can't imagine anyone is getting much sleep on these races aboard hollow, lightweight tubes crashing across the ocean at speeds around 20 knots, for days at a time.I did speculate that the crew, the committee and the fisherman were probably tired. I had just listened to an NPR program where an author has just released a new book based on his research into human performance that is timing based. The book is called "When". The author talks about when the best performances can be expected and when the worst times are.
- Will (Dragonfly)
No serious racer would do that. As cb says, it is all speculation at this point. That doesn't mean it isn't worth speculating, just keep it in mind that that's all it is, for now.A prudent cruising captain would stay off and make a daylight approach, or slowly pick his way in matching speed to hazard.
Even more to the point is that these are probably "inland waters" of the country and therefore may have completely different rules from the Colregs regarding fishing boats or even sailing boats.They also do not understand the colregs, never even heard of them. They do not understand that a sailboat is stand on vessel.
Reports are that the collision occurred 30 miles from the finish. From the tracker it appears that was at least 15 or 20 miles offshore.Even more to the point is that these are probably "inland waters" of the country and therefore may have completely different rules from the Colregs regarding fishing boats or even sailing boats.
Besides, are there really rules that would allow unlit fishing boats in navigable waters at night? (Again assuming for discussion's sake that they were unlit).(a) These Rules shall apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all
waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels.
(b) Nothing in these Rules shall interfere with the operation of special
rules made by an appropriate authority for roadsteads, harbors, rivers, lakes
or inland waterways connected with the high seas and navigable by
seagoing vessels. Such special rules shall conform as closely as possible to
these Rules.
Indeed racing sailboats are bound by the Racing Rules of Sailing, in addition to the COLREGS.They are an anachronism and probably should be rewritten
I don't see how this collision could be attributed to amateurs assuming they had the right of way. Vestas may have been over tired and not seen the boat, but I think it's unlikely that they decided to ram it just because they could.most sailing vessels these days are pleasure craft, operated by amateurs and as such should not have rules that can be misinterpreted as a blanket right of way.
All valid points. We shall see.Preface: Like everyone else I'm speculating for discussion's sake, not trying to pass judgement before we have the facts of the ongoing investigation.
Reports are that the collision occurred 30 miles from the finish. From the tracker it appears that was at least 15 or 20 miles offshore.
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As far as I can tell that's well within the scope of the COLREGS:
Besides, are there really rules that would allow unlit fishing boats in navigable waters at night? (Again assuming for discussion's sake that they were unlit).
Indeed racing sailboats are bound by the Racing Rules of Sailing, in addition to the COLREGS.
I don't see how this collision could be attributed to amateurs assuming they had the right of way. Vestas may have been over tired and not seen the boat, but I think it's unlikely that they decided to ram it just because they could.
Never start the celebration til the fat lady sings.Twenty miles out from the entrance to one of the worlds busiest harbours you would think there would be more on deck than a trimmer and helmsman.(!?) You known that Vestus has all the latest radar,AIS etc. All that said Vestus was on a starboard jibe and the target was hidden behind the foresail. Even at 20knots it's hard to believe no one on either boat saw it coming.
Accident Investigation will be interesting. Will/can Vestus be repaired before Feb.1?
Sorry but I totally disagree. First off, you can't look at a boat and call it pleasure craft or commercial. There are pleasure craft that used to be commercial and boat that used to be pleasure craft that are now commercial (as in transporting goods). That is why you do not see Commercial or Pleasure craft written in the col-regs....
We sailors forget that the 'sailing rules' were designed for commercial sailing vessels, not our little playthings. ...