There was a huge northeaster blowing...not sure why they would have thought about leaving port. TWO SAILORS PLUCKED FROM ROUGH SEAS Video and Mayday Call from This Rescue are Available PORTSMOUTH, Va. - A Coast Guard helicopter pulled two men from the water this morning 55 nautical miles east of Cape Lookout, N.C., after encountering rough weather and taking on water. Robert Cummings, 40, the vessel owner from Newport News, Va., and Jerry McCarthy, 35, from Charleston, S.C., left Newport News in their 40-foot sail boat, At Ease, Thursday en route to Charleston when they encountered rough weather. more....
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I hate to say this, but...
Ok...they lost ENGINE power and a hatch...but it's a SAILboat...no mention of losing the mast, rudder, steering, or any sails. So why didn't they SAIL the boat??? Looks to me like one more story about someone who bought a sailboat--but shouldn't even own a powerboat...and headed out without the slightest clue about how to sail the d'd thing, even in GOOD weather, much less in heavy weather--in fact, left against a forecast in which no experienced sailor would even have considered leaving the dock. Not only did their lack of skill--or even common sense--cause 'em to lose the boat, but they also put the lives of the Coasties who saved 'em from their stupidity at risk. The worst part is, stories like this are no longer unusual...it's stories like this one that are becoming rare: http://forum.cruisingworld.com/forums/genlmesg/index.pl?read=407183
Ok...they lost ENGINE power and a hatch...but it's a SAILboat...no mention of losing the mast, rudder, steering, or any sails. So why didn't they SAIL the boat??? Looks to me like one more story about someone who bought a sailboat--but shouldn't even own a powerboat...and headed out without the slightest clue about how to sail the d'd thing, even in GOOD weather, much less in heavy weather--in fact, left against a forecast in which no experienced sailor would even have considered leaving the dock. Not only did their lack of skill--or even common sense--cause 'em to lose the boat, but they also put the lives of the Coasties who saved 'em from their stupidity at risk. The worst part is, stories like this are no longer unusual...it's stories like this one that are becoming rare: http://forum.cruisingworld.com/forums/genlmesg/index.pl?read=407183
Very Impressive!
That the coast guard comes the resuce again! To save the lives of two "sailors" who either ingored the weather reports or thought they were better then mother nature.They could have lost there lives, It would appear they lost the boat, put the lives of the coast guard rescue crew in danger and well as the hellicopter all because the didn't heed the weather report and did not put in to port or delay the trip. The fact that they had (and were wearing) survial suit and were prepared just means they had more money then brains! This storm was predicted several day in advanced! These two don't have anything on BOZO the CLOWN ! wonder if they are going to "sue" the coast guard or just file a insurance claim for the boat......hope the coast guard sends them the bill !
That the coast guard comes the resuce again! To save the lives of two "sailors" who either ingored the weather reports or thought they were better then mother nature.They could have lost there lives, It would appear they lost the boat, put the lives of the coast guard rescue crew in danger and well as the hellicopter all because the didn't heed the weather report and did not put in to port or delay the trip. The fact that they had (and were wearing) survial suit and were prepared just means they had more money then brains! This storm was predicted several day in advanced! These two don't have anything on BOZO the CLOWN ! wonder if they are going to "sue" the coast guard or just file a insurance claim for the boat......hope the coast guard sends them the bill !
Lets not be too quick
to condem them. As usual we know very little of the story. For sure it looks like a bad decison to be at sea during a storm such as this. But to condem them as "without the slightest clue about how to sail " seems a bit harsh- especially since they were described as having "several years of sailing experience and had been heading to Charleston to enter the Charleston to Bermuda race next week" by the coast guard release.
to condem them. As usual we know very little of the story. For sure it looks like a bad decison to be at sea during a storm such as this. But to condem them as "without the slightest clue about how to sail " seems a bit harsh- especially since they were described as having "several years of sailing experience and had been heading to Charleston to enter the Charleston to Bermuda race next week" by the coast guard release.
What am I missing?
20 foot seas and mid 30 knot winds? Sounds like ideal sailing to me. The video I saw on the morning news showed an intact boat with intact rigging and a mainsail which was reefed to practically nothing. If they had put up a sail, the boat would probably have been a lot more comfortable. Nothing I saw on the news justified leaving the boat or calling mayday. The CG guys do need training but I will bet that the boat is just fine.
20 foot seas and mid 30 knot winds? Sounds like ideal sailing to me. The video I saw on the morning news showed an intact boat with intact rigging and a mainsail which was reefed to practically nothing. If they had put up a sail, the boat would probably have been a lot more comfortable. Nothing I saw on the news justified leaving the boat or calling mayday. The CG guys do need training but I will bet that the boat is just fine.
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