Wreckage of the sunken sailboat "Daisy" were found outside the Golden Gate Bridge yesterday. It was found on the bottom, about 60' deep. Apparently among other things the boat had been dismasted, although it's impossible to tell at what point that occurred. What I found astounding was the response of the organizers of the race in which the boat was sailing. According to today's S.F. Chronicle, "Regatta officials for the Island Yacht Club of Alameda, which sponsored the event to raise money for cerebral palsy, said they had no duty to alert the Coast Guard, even though more than two hours had past since the last boat to complete the race had crossed the finish line near Marina Green at 2:45 p.m." What this fails to really emphasize is that not only was the boat inexplicably late, but the race organizers had tried to hail Daisy on vhf repeatedly with no response. My question is whether this is the norm - the failure to notify the Coast Guard until it is too late. Had the Coast Guard been notified earlier that there was no response, I think it's possible that the sailors might have survived since as it was, the CG didn't get notified until nearly dark. I know that if I were a member of the Island Yacht Club, and if there were no better explanation than what was given above, I'd be resigning in protest.
Astounding if true
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I would like to know more
Was this a distance race - overnighter or just a buoy race? I am not familiar with the Bay and don't know if an overnighter is even possible on it. It certainly seems hard to believe that in a normal buoy race someone could so completely be unaware of an incident like the one described.
Was this a distance race - overnighter or just a buoy race? I am not familiar with the Bay and don't know if an overnighter is even possible on it. It certainly seems hard to believe that in a normal buoy race someone could so completely be unaware of an incident like the one described.
Propane Leak?
Of course, I'm guessing. The article says no fire or explosion, but I once saw a ketch that had had a propane ignition below. The deck was opened like a can-opener all around and the rig was down. It blew apart on the hull-deck joint. There was no charring that I could see. I was struck by the description. Rick D.
Of course, I'm guessing. The article says no fire or explosion, but I once saw a ketch that had had a propane ignition below. The deck was opened like a can-opener all around and the rig was down. It blew apart on the hull-deck joint. There was no charring that I could see. I was struck by the description. Rick D.
Buoy race
It's just an out and back. "Just". Nobody here considers the shorthanded races to the buoy or the Farallon Islands to be a jaunt. It's an unfortunate lesson for the rest of us. Know your boat, know yourself. Only one boat in the fleet turned back early and called it a day due to conditions. Others continued for whatever reason.
It's just an out and back. "Just". Nobody here considers the shorthanded races to the buoy or the Farallon Islands to be a jaunt. It's an unfortunate lesson for the rest of us. Know your boat, know yourself. Only one boat in the fleet turned back early and called it a day due to conditions. Others continued for whatever reason.
'She'll be right mate'
The race officals, since hearing nothing on VHF, were thinking being the last yacht, they likely stopped at Sam's for a beer. A likely story. I agree, they should keep better tabs by calling their cell phones or ? They won't call the USCG for a yacht each time one is late in a race for obvious reasons. BTW Charlie, we call it the 'light-bucket'. Cheers....;-)
The race officals, since hearing nothing on VHF, were thinking being the last yacht, they likely stopped at Sam's for a beer. A likely story. I agree, they should keep better tabs by calling their cell phones or ? They won't call the USCG for a yacht each time one is late in a race for obvious reasons. BTW Charlie, we call it the 'light-bucket'. Cheers....;-)
The cap'n is correct
I am the past race committee person for our local YC and when we held regattas, boats would regularly drop out and many either didn't have VHF or didn't monitor the race channel. If we called the coast guard for every boat that didn't finish or answer the radio, they would throw us in jail. Of course we are in a very tight race community here and most all racers know the other boats and would assist in a case like this. When you race, it is no different than when you are out sailing. Same rules of the road, don't expect assistance from anyone, sail at your own risk.
I am the past race committee person for our local YC and when we held regattas, boats would regularly drop out and many either didn't have VHF or didn't monitor the race channel. If we called the coast guard for every boat that didn't finish or answer the radio, they would throw us in jail. Of course we are in a very tight race community here and most all racers know the other boats and would assist in a case like this. When you race, it is no different than when you are out sailing. Same rules of the road, don't expect assistance from anyone, sail at your own risk.
A couple of issues
For those not familiar with this area: Even the ship channel outside the Golden Gate Bridge is relatively shallow. As a result, sleeper waves are not unheard of. I have had sailors far more experienced than I am advise me not to go out beyond the Gate before April, exactly for this reason. On the day of the race, there were reported sea waves up to 16' high. So conditions were far from optimal. Also, they were known to have a vhf. Had the yacht club given any explanation other than "it wasn't our responsibility" I would have had a different reaction, but what they said sounds like the "it's not my concern" excuse that people use for not helping a neighbor out.
For those not familiar with this area: Even the ship channel outside the Golden Gate Bridge is relatively shallow. As a result, sleeper waves are not unheard of. I have had sailors far more experienced than I am advise me not to go out beyond the Gate before April, exactly for this reason. On the day of the race, there were reported sea waves up to 16' high. So conditions were far from optimal. Also, they were known to have a vhf. Had the yacht club given any explanation other than "it wasn't our responsibility" I would have had a different reaction, but what they said sounds like the "it's not my concern" excuse that people use for not helping a neighbor out.
No, John...
I don't think its not helping a neighbor that is in question here. I think they are claiming and protecting themselves from responsibility. Just the very tone of "...said they had no duty to alert the Coast Guard..." makes me feel ill. All that statement was saying is quite simple; My ass is covered. I personally believe that if the race committee took the responsibility of collecting the money for the race, they should have also taken the responsibility for ensuring all the racers returned to their respective moorings/berths. The committee boat should have been the last boat in and should have followed the slowest boat. My 2¢.
I don't think its not helping a neighbor that is in question here. I think they are claiming and protecting themselves from responsibility. Just the very tone of "...said they had no duty to alert the Coast Guard..." makes me feel ill. All that statement was saying is quite simple; My ass is covered. I personally believe that if the race committee took the responsibility of collecting the money for the race, they should have also taken the responsibility for ensuring all the racers returned to their respective moorings/berths. The committee boat should have been the last boat in and should have followed the slowest boat. My 2¢.
Other Racers ?
Having sailed a few charity races in cruising division, I cringed when I read the 'Slow Time Charlies' phrase used by a member of the Race Comittee. While I'd question that cavelier attitude, particularly in light of the tragedy, I wonder if the committee checked in with any of the other competitors or raised any questions about them seeing a late competitor in view of the sea conditions.
Having sailed a few charity races in cruising division, I cringed when I read the 'Slow Time Charlies' phrase used by a member of the Race Comittee. While I'd question that cavelier attitude, particularly in light of the tragedy, I wonder if the committee checked in with any of the other competitors or raised any questions about them seeing a late competitor in view of the sea conditions.
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