Read Chapman's "Small Boat Handling" chapter on entering inlets. He says never enter with following breaking waves because no matter what precautions you take it is very risky.
MOB
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Inlets are deeper water than the areas on both sides of it, the wind and time of tide have a lot to do with entering one, Chapman's doesn't explain it all. At times the wind blows from a single direction for so long that sea conditions are not the norm, tides running against the wind can become enormous , Sail boats are under powered and skill and knowledge is all that will get you across the bar at times, Power boats have an advantage because they can out run a sea or back up and let it pass, sail boats can not.
I'm sorry, but who in the world would stage a boat that size getting knocked down that hard? Forget what happened once the people were off the boat, that knock down was incredibly dangerous for anyone on board. Being in the water for 10 minutes is one thing, getting slammed into all sorts of hard metal fittings in an uncontrolled manner is another. If you simply wanted to stage a man overboard demonstration you'd have them jump off the boat in a manner that wasn't likely to maim or kill them, not to mention potentially damage the boat in a very serious way.
I guess you have never trained with European's Most of the rescue teams are better trained than you can even ?????
Hmmmm, would someone really risk smashing their boat for a training film?
Funny, like some posters here, my first reaction was no life harnesses!!
But when you carefully watch, I think they would have been a liability. The way it rolled and was near the rocks, the mob's were much safer away from the boat bobbing in huger lifejackets.
This area is known for its huge swells. Did you see the size of that breakwall? They didn't built it like that for fun. I image that this crew has been in that inlet in running seas hundreds of times before. It's my guess that a rogue wave got them; it's the only one that broke there. Some people routinely sail and transit in conditions that would keep most on the dock.
Still, there is the old saying that 'familiarity breeds contempt'. They should still take precautions. The margin for error is very small there.
Still, there is the old saying that 'familiarity breeds contempt'. They should still take precautions. The margin for error is very small there.
So I watched the video again for some clues. These are my findings based on satellite view of area.
1. (Obvious) The camera was on a tripod in a somewhat protected area (wave spray and white caps indicative of strong winds) - See red circle bottom of image
2. Houses can be seen (red circle top of image)
3. Therefore, lens used was long telephoto (suspect DLSR with 300mm lens) - indications are houses in background and very large rocks which seemed closer to the boat than they really were.
4. I doubt this was planned but I suspect it happens a lot. That is why I think the camera was there in hopes of something like this happening (again)
1. (Obvious) The camera was on a tripod in a somewhat protected area (wave spray and white caps indicative of strong winds) - See red circle bottom of image
2. Houses can be seen (red circle top of image)
3. Therefore, lens used was long telephoto (suspect DLSR with 300mm lens) - indications are houses in background and very large rocks which seemed closer to the boat than they really were.
4. I doubt this was planned but I suspect it happens a lot. That is why I think the camera was there in hopes of something like this happening (again)
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The last thing I would do is question what actually took place by watching a video.
Just a few observances whether it was staged or real. After a knockdown like that who knows what condition the prime power was in. Also MOB equipment may have been knocked overboard. I could see the ring in the water and lines may have been fouled. More than likely a Mayday was sent calling for help. The sailboat did return probably after the Diesel operation normalized. The sailboat remained on station during the entire rescue.
The rogue wave probably caught them unaware as he turned to center himself windward of the inlet.
As to life vest, on deck etc. Not my place to criticize not given the situation. I don't think I would want to be below if washed against those rocks. Didn't look like a lot of room to maneuver in.
Just a few observances whether it was staged or real. After a knockdown like that who knows what condition the prime power was in. Also MOB equipment may have been knocked overboard. I could see the ring in the water and lines may have been fouled. More than likely a Mayday was sent calling for help. The sailboat did return probably after the Diesel operation normalized. The sailboat remained on station during the entire rescue.
The rogue wave probably caught them unaware as he turned to center himself windward of the inlet.
As to life vest, on deck etc. Not my place to criticize not given the situation. I don't think I would want to be below if washed against those rocks. Didn't look like a lot of room to maneuver in.
I have no doubt that that inlet provides lots of entertainment for those on shore with a view.
Those HUGE rollers? About to happen again. A gigantic low pressure system is about to barrel into the western shores of europe. The cup-shaped Bay of Biscay, which shoals from thousands to a hundred feet of water, generate huge seas. Even the Vendee Around the World racers never feel safe until they are in the atlantic proper.
