U.S Sailor lost off the coast of Queensland Australia

[garymalmgren]

Apparently people ashore saw him fall over board as he was dousing his main.
"The yacht ran aground on the beach at the tourist destination with little damage, but with lights on and music playing. "

Friends unaware yachtsman had fallen overboard as they followed his journey on tracking app

Friends of an American sailor, whose body was found off the Sunshine Coast, reveal how they watched his yacht edge closer to the shoreline from a tracking app they were using to follow his journey.

www.abc.net.au

 

[sail sfbay]

Underscores the need to always wear a safety harness secured with a tether to a padeye in the cockpit or to a jackline or padeye when leaving the cockpit, particularly when sailing by yourself in the ocean or in heavy seas.

 

[jssailem]

After sailing from Hawaii to Australia you would think he knew what he was doing. More likely an accident. The autopsy is not reported on, yet. Maybe this will yield more information.

Often the way folks use jacklines, falling off the deck means you will be hanging on the side of the boat when they find you, not floating. At least they find you. Makes it easier to get the Insurance paid.

 

[jssailem]

Isn't it amazing. A boat without a skipper or crew finds its way to shore washing up on the beach.

Perhaps this supports the discussion that a boat is stronger than the crew that sails her.

Certainly in the 1979 Fastnet Race disaster they discovered abandon boats floating after the storm blew through. The Crew had abandoned the boat. Some crew were never found.

Supports the idea that you should walk up into your life raft, not jump down on to it.

 

[sail sfbay]

Good thread on use of a centreline jackline from the cockpit to the mast and short tether to avoid falling outside the lifelines.

Banishing Sidedeck Jacklines Forever

We have shown that sidedeck jacklines are deeply flawed and may even be more dangerous than no jacklines at all, due to drag risk and the false sense of security they confer. But can we get rid of…

www.morganscloud.com

 

[jssailem]

@sail sfbay

 

[JamesG161]

"The yacht ran aground on the beach at the tourist destination with little damage, but with lights on and music playing. "

And all sails down!

The craft did have solar panels to charge house batteries.

I wonder if diesel tank was empty?
I wonder if he had a heart event.

Autopsy will be revealing.
Jim...

 

[Head Sail]

People should recognize that dosing the main is about the most dangerous activity operating a sailboat. Even slight wave action can cause the boom to hit you and knock you overboard. I had a crew member almost go overboard dosing the main. Fortunately, she bounced onto the deck after hitting the lifelines. Condolences to the family.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Very very sad. My condolences to his family.

It is often at the end of a long journey, exhausted and the prospect of immediate relief, one let's their guard down and makes poor decisions without the energy to complete their tasks fully. Short-cuts and incomplete follow-thru with sleep deprived perceptions can make even the most experienced sailors dangerous.

-Will (Dragonfly)

 

[jaysweet]

This reminds me that I should rig my jackline next time I singlehand the boat. I have one that goes from a padeye high up on the arch, runs past the mast (touching), and detours to one of the forward cleats.