Sudden Drama

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Roger Long

Roger Long

.
Nov 22, 2008
3,562
Endeavour 32 Portland, Maine
[FONT=&quot]I went down to check the boat yesterday just before this weather bomb came in on top of a forecast for 20-25 diminishing.[/FONT]

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[FONT=&quot]By the time I got on the boat, planning to return for dinner, it was clear I was going to have to move. So, off I went without a cell phone. This is the kind of time a SPOT is worth every penny. It saved the folks on shore who suddenly saw me leaving a lot of worry.[/FONT]



[FONT=&quot]There was lots of drama on the radio as I ran up the bay. SeaTow and TowboatUS were rushing around. The radio was filled with calls for help. A fishing boat went aground on Beavertail. I could hear the screams of the crewman who went overboard on the radio. I haven’t heard yet whether he survived. When I went by the spot this morning, there was no sign of the boat. Last thing I heard last night was that 8 – 10 foot breakers were going over it and they hadn’t gotten the crew off yet. If anyone knows what happened, please post.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I anchored in Dutch Harbor and was fine until the wind went down after I was in my bunk. The boat then swung crosswise in the swells and started rolling heavily. There was nothing for it except to get dressed, assemble the small kedge for a stern anchor, and get underway. I ran a couple hundred yards, dropped the kedge, put the engine in neutral just as the rode ran out, and let the boat fetch up on it. I then dropped the main anchor, let the boat back to set it, adjusted the rodes, and slept to the gentle pitching of the boat now held bow on to the swells.[/FONT]
 
GeorgiaBII

GeorgiaBII

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Jun 14, 2011
277
Hunter 22 Fin Keel Lake Martin
Love the time lapse pictures. Seems like some wild waves you had to deal with.
 
Shoaldrafter

Shoaldrafter

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Dec 8, 2006
1,085
Oday 26 Starr, SC
ugh

Roger Long said:
[FONT=&quot]I went down to check the boat yesterday just before this weather bomb came in on top of a forecast for 20-25 diminishing.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]By the time I got on the boat, planning to return for dinner, it was clear I was going to have to move. So, off I went without a cell phone. This is the kind of time a SPOT is worth every penny. It saved the folks on shore who suddenly saw me leaving a lot of worry.[/FONT]



[FONT=&quot]There was lots of drama on the radio as I ran up the bay. SeaTow and TowboatUS were rushing around. The radio was filled with calls for help. A fishing boat went aground on Beavertail. I could hear the screams of the crewman who went overboard on the radio. I haven’t heard yet whether he survived. When I went by the spot this morning, there was no sign of the boat. Last thing I heard last night was that 8 – 10 foot breakers were going over it and they hadn’t gotten the crew off yet. If anyone knows what happened, please post.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I anchored in Dutch Harbor and was fine until the wind went down after I was in my bunk. The boat then swung crosswise in the swells and started rolling heavily. There was nothing for it except to get dressed, assemble the small kedge for a stern anchor, and get underway. I ran a couple hundred yards, dropped the kedge, put the engine in neutral just as the rode ran out, and let the boat fetch up on it. I then dropped the main anchor, let the boat back to set it, adjusted the rodes, and slept to the gentle pitching of the boat now held bow on to the swells.[/FONT]
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I sit and look and read.

First I ask why moor in such an exposed location?

Second, what if it was not mooring but anchor? Does this boat have a windlass? There are several used boat parts stores in area, maybe a windlass might be considered?

If this were baseball, we would have to ask what the next pitch will be like? Do they have Northeasters in summer?

Ed K



 

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Jimm

Jimm

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Jan 22, 2008
372
Hunter 33.5 Bodkin Creek - Bodkin YC
Good to hear all's well.
You left here in good time -- tornado at Hampton Roads (yacht club) and 10 more touched down last Friday around MD & VA. Guess the season is underway :)
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

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Nov 6, 2006
10,093
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Wow, Roger.. ya handled that one just fine !!

rdowall: Those pictures are fine.. and those who said that the boat that probably hit North Coronado (Aegean) would not have been broken up, the last pictures show how that could happen..
 
Roger Long

Roger Long

.
Nov 22, 2008
3,562
Endeavour 32 Portland, Maine
Shoaldrafter said:
First I ask why moor in such an exposed location?
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It's not something I make a habit of. I'm a guest at the house that owns the mooring. It was just completely renewed. I wasn't keen on using it but there are moorings all along that shore, it was convenient, saved having to impose on my hosts to drive me back and forth, etc.

I slept on the boat last night and woke up this morning to winds as strong or stronger than shown above but blowing from the NE making it a lee shore. I wasted no time in running across to Newport where the boat now sits on a town mooring until I leave on Wednesday.

I'm never going to let myself get sucked into something like this again.

As for the windlass, as long as the engine is running, I would rather get out of a dicey anchoring situation with rope and chain on a boat this size where the anchor is small enough to lift. I know the tricks for doing it and it is faster. On a boat this size, if the engine won't run, a windlass probably won't run long either.

I can quickly snap a shackle snatch block on to my midships cleat and lead the anchor rode to a jib winch. It's a lot easier though to just motor up some slack, go forward and pull it in, and repeat 2 - 3 times as needed. Once you learn the trick of powering out around the radius you can get a lot of slack in each time. When I was cruising with my chain and windlass friends, I spend a lot of time idling around waiting for them to get their anchor aboard.
 
Shoaldrafter

Shoaldrafter

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Dec 8, 2006
1,085
Oday 26 Starr, SC
anchoring into the wind ...

Roger Long said:
It's not something I make a habit of. I'm a guest at the house that owns the mooring. It was just completely renewed. I wasn't keen on using it but there are moorings all along that shore, it was convenient, saved having to impose on my hosts to drive me back and forth, etc.

I slept on the boat last night and woke up this morning to winds as strong or stronger than shown above but blowing from the NE making it a lee shore. I wasted no time in running across to Newport where the boat now sits on a town mooring until I leave on Wednesday.

I'm never going to let myself get sucked into something like this again.

As for the windlass, as long as the engine is running, I would rather get out of a dicey anchoring situation with rope and chain on a boat this size where the anchor is small enough to lift. I know the tricks for doing it and it is faster. On a boat this size, if the engine won't run, a windlass probably won't run long either.

I can quickly snap a shackle snatch block on to my midships cleat and lead the anchor rode to a jib winch. It's a lot easier though to just motor up some slack, go forward and pull it in, and repeat 2 - 3 times as needed. Once you learn the trick of powering out around the radius you can get a lot of slack in each time. When I was cruising with my chain and windlass friends, I spend a lot of time idling around waiting for them to get their anchor aboard.
Click to expand
Roger,

Great reply and comments.

It was said, "I'm never going to let myself get sucked into something like this again." Shit happens. 'Never' and 'Always' may be too inclusive. Try not to and Try to are more realistic words. They allow for the unusual, unexpected or 'black swan event'.

It was said, "rope and chain on a boat this size where the anchor is small enough to lift." May be true for a younger person, but as we age straining of back can be an issue. There used to be preprinted sign available that said, 'think ahead', where the word ahead got printed smaller and bent around edge of sign. Anticipate that the anchor raiser might be older and subject to back strain.

It was said, "I can quickly snap a shackle snatch block on to my midships cleat and lead the anchor rode to a jib winch." Gee, what an idea. Where are the pictures, diagrams, and it easier if you get 3 or 4 purchase.

I guess I am only one who has had anchor stuck in mud. Ugh! I figure it cannot happen on rocks, found up nor-east?

My point is I would rather you not injure your back and threaten to sell boat and throw in towel.

Again, your posts are great.

Ed K

Added:
Geniuses think productively, reproductively,
they ask “How many different ways can I
look at it?”, and "How many different ways
can I solve it?” They tend to come up with
many different responses, some of which
are unconventional and possibly unique. –
Michael Michalko
 

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Witzend

Witzend

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Dec 25, 2008
1,580
catalina 310 Elk River
Hey Roger,
Always love your posts!! I deploy that same technique in retrieving my anchor as you do, finding it much more efficient. I do have a windless but rarely need to use it unless she dug in good from a blow, but even then if you have some wave action you can let the boat do the work.
 
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