SF Bay: Sailboat Sinks After Encounter With Tug/Barge

[fstbttms]

From Pressure Drop:

Okay, here's what we have learned:

The sailboat was approximately 26' long.

(Law officials will not release names of victims or boat until investigation is completed)

1 male, 1 female in late 40's

Call by tug on 16 came down at 3:11, rescue was on scene at 3:20

Tug was indeed outbound and towing barge, sailboat sailed between tug and barge.

The sailors were knocked off the sailboat by the collision.

Boat sank almost immediatly

Both were wearing lifejackets and were treading water when rescue arrived.

They were mid channel, closer to Marin side, near Point Diablo, yet still in the jurisdiction of SF County.

Seas state was 6-8 foot swell, wind 15 to 20.

Both sailors were transported to Horseshoe Cove, seen by EMS but refused transport to hospital.

http://www.pressure-drop.us/forums/showthread.php?2969-Update-on-Tug-vs-Sailboat-Incident-Jan-26

 

[Winkfish]

Sailed BETWEEN the tug and the barge??? Wow!!!!

 

[shemandr]

Sailed BETWEEN the tug and the barge??? Wow!!!!

That was allegedly the case with the infamous Karen E incident on LI Sound 30 years ago.
I can give a skipper some slack on this since sometimes the tow is so far behind that one may not think the tug and tow are connected. Some slack. I have been fooled in the area of the Race on several occasions on this issue. I remember once I thought the tow was the Ruins off the north end of Gardiner's Island. I didn't take long to figure it out but you only have 15 minutes or less (sometimes way less in poor visibility) before the tug with cross or pass you. And at 5 Kns you can't escape very quickly. It's easy to criticize someone else but anyone who thinks they are immune to making a mistake should reconsider. The only way to not make a mistake, is to be constantly alert to the possibility that you are making a mistake.

 

[rardiH36]

My first thought when I read about the incident was did the boat cross between the tug and barge? Might account why the sailboat sank (and almost immediately as we now know). Keel/bottom instantly detatched from the rest of the boat?

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I can understand how it could happen it daylight. often they the tow is a half mile back.

-at night at least you have the stacking lights.

(I thought it was 3 vertical lights / who knows what should be shown at night )

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=Rule24

 

[Winkfish]

That was allegedly the case with the infamous Karen E incident on LI Sound 30 years ago.
I can give a skipper some slack on this since sometimes the tow is so far behind that one may not think the tug and tow are connected. Some slack. I have been fooled in the area of the Race on several occasions on this issue. I remember once I thought the tow was the Ruins off the north end of Gardiner's Island. I didn't take long to figure it out but you only have 15 minutes or less (sometimes way less in poor visibility) before the tug with cross or pass you. And at 5 Kns you can't escape very quickly. It's easy to criticize someone else but anyone who thinks they are immune to making a mistake should reconsider. The only way to not make a mistake, is to be constantly alert to the possibility that you are making a mistake.

Didn't mean to sound so critical. We don't see many tows down here that are not close by and obvious. Most of our river barges are pushed rather than towed, and the tows I've seen are really quite close.

 

[redhead78]

About 20 years ago we had a horrible accident on the hudson river in the alpine boat basin area. A couple of young kids in a go fast boat, on an overcast afternoon sped between the tug and towed barge and were all killed, instantly. Its sad because for that couple of minutes of youthful indulgence all three paid the price. I hesitate to use the word stupidity, I think back to some of the things I did when young , dumb, and ahem, that I was so lucky to have escaped without serious injury or even worse..Red