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Today on "I shouldn't be alive"......

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/03/2007 : 19:30:52

I was out for a solo overnight sail. Mom and the kids were tied up this weekend and the weather was forcast to be perfect. The weather was perfect and off I head to the San Juans. My trip took me out Deception pass and over to Lopez Island. I went north through Lopez pass and putted around inside the San Juans. I wound up tied up to Island marine center on Lopez Island. This morning it was very still. I decided to go south , use Cattle pass and head home. As I entered Cattle pass, I could see some of the rip-currents off in the distance. I have read about them and did not want any part of that. We were on an Ebb tide which for some reason, makes the rips, very dangerous. All of a sudden, the rips started forming all around me.I looked around and had nowhere to go. It is a concentrated current and forms square waves. At first the waves were 2-3 feet and I was ok with that. Then they built to 5-7 feet. Every time I went up one the motor would come out at the top and the bow would crash down into the trough. There was a side to side motion as well. The boat was rolling 50 degrees or so. every roll, the engine would steer and need repositioning . One roll was so wild, the winch handle flew from the coaming pocket and I cought it in the middle of the cockpit.I kept the engine at about 1/3 throttle. It did not seem to rev too high when in the air and when it got a bite again, it would give me a little thrust. My ground speed was 7+ knots with a water speed of only a knot or so. 5-6 knots of current! My major concern was getting sideways and rolling the boat over. I was in it for about 30 minutes and then it suddenly went away. It was a relief to know what kind of abuse the boat could take. I was saved by 2 things, 1 the engine never missed a beat . Dont know how it stayed running. It was going so far under water and then running in the air. 2. I didnt loose the rudder. If that happened, I would have started shooting flares(seriously)

The rudder was not under a lot of stress but did get torqued a few times with a sideways wave. As a new cruiser up here, I learned the Ebb tides are to be treated with respect near the passes.

Tom.

PO of 1988 Wing HN 5775
"Cote d'Azure"
Fleet 25

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2007 : 20:10:56

Wow Tom. glad you and the boat are ok. When are you getting back on the horse?

Paul

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2007 : 20:14:51

Sounds pretty intense. Where there any other boats anywhere around?
I'm not familiar w/ the area you reference,where did this happen?

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2007 : 20:39:45

I still had 15 miles of open water to cross and a total of 30 to get home. Why does it happen? It has something to do with the bottom contour and the speed of the water. I am sure one of the old salts knows. There are half a dozen spots that do this in the San Juan Islands. The big stuff happens on ebb tide. Again...? There was one fishing boat fishing right at the edge of the boiling water. I guess it is a good spot for fishing. I am sure he saw me and would have picked me up if I was swimming. I will do a little more homework on tidal flow now.

I was quite concerned as I was at the edge where any kind of failure would have likely cost the boat.

REALLY REALLy glad mom and the kids were at home!

Tom.

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2007 : 21:29:10

That story will get better as time passes.

Lots of water coming down from Johnson/Georgia Straight, and lots of water coming in from Juan DeFuca, all trying to squeeze around those islands.
I once spent a similar harrowing passage with a bunch of first time on the water prairie farmers. My greatest effort was trying to look calm.
As I read your account, I kept thinking that you were fortunate that you were alone. Although a second pair of seasoned hands would probably have been appreciated.

Well odne on making it through.

Edited by - on

Champipple
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6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2007 : 21:34:21

Just remember - never step off your boat into a life boat/raft or to abandon ship until your step off is a step upward.

Glad everything worked out okay for you.

dw

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OLarryR
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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2007 : 22:10:00

Tom,

Thanks for sharing your story. It keeps hammering home having respect for the sea. I try never to forget it. But even when weather was perfect..things happen.

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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816 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2007 : 23:04:39

I also have been in a few rip tides and it is very stressful but our boats get us through. I now check the current tables and know the tide but it is still going to catch you as the speed over the bottom is not fast enough to miss all the currents. You were in the area that has the largest bodies of water meeting each other causing the rips. The rips seem to be lumps or a potato patch which does throw you around a lot but our boats stay very dry if we keep the speed down. Glad you posted the story as I need to be reminded of being up on the currents and the tides makes the cruise more pleasant. I will be there in 3 weeks.

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Ben - FL
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880 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2007 : 05:57:00

WOW! So glad you are OK Tom. I've been caught in on of those type situations but not for so long and I was in a crew boat going under the bridge.

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2007 : 07:31:59

This could be anyone of us but....
http://captrichardrodriguez.blogspot.com/2007/05/tow-to-oak-harbor.html

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5908 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2007 : 08:26:36

Those conditions often happen where there is a strong tide or other current running from a river or bay through a narrow pass. It is the worst when the bottom shoals near the pass. Often, as was the case with Tom, you won't see them until you're already in them. The best defense against them is to (1) stay out of shallow water (You can occasionally get into similar conditions near the Intercoastal Waterways, where strong currents are running around offshore islands.) (2) Be aware of the tide schedules. (3) Watch for indications of strong currents in the area. They are especially evident around the base of buoys and daymarks. Be especially alert when all the conditions coincide, i.e., shallow waters, passes or other narrow restrictions, strong currents. Plan your trip in advance to avoid the coincidence of all those conditions. If it happens, it might be best to wait until the tidal current subsides before trying to enter the area.

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mhartong
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Response Posted - 06/04/2007 : 09:01:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by atgep
 Why does it happen? It has something to do with the bottom contour and the speed of the water. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

NOAA has an excellent summary website on the science of rip currents: http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/science.shtml

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2007 : 12:00:50

The bottom contours can be a big factor... Here, between Fisher's Island (by eastern Connecticut) and the north fork of Long Island, is an area called The Race, for a good reason. All of the water needed to raise and lower Long Island Sound and its estuaries by 3'-10' (the number being greater as you go west) passes through this narrow canyon at rates exceeding 5 knots in places. The bottom has huge boulders and sheer rock walls that go from 300' up to 30'. Add a westerly wind opposing a west-flowing current, or an east-flowing current against the ocean swells, and you get a giant washing machine. Some good friends went through that in a 30' sailboat, and their still photos scare me! I've also seen it from the deck of a fast ferry going out to Block Island. Every boater and many commercial vessels need to be aware of when the currents might be running hard against the seas at The Race, and plan around that condition.

Another issue: A 4-5+ knot current going "your way" is not necessarily a good thing. In a boat that is only capable of making 5-6 knots through the water, that current can take you places you didn't want to go, and you might find that the best you can do is slow down the rate at which you're going there or alter your true course somewhat. It's not a good feeling! It sounds like that could be an issue in some of those San Juan passes.

In Kansas, on the other hand, 'snot a problem.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/04/2007 12:08:55

Oscar
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Response Posted - 06/04/2007 : 12:11:30

Sounds like you had a sporting day! I would ask around if anyone thinks you need to replace your impeller after it has run dry a bit.....they're cheap. If they fail it is expensive....

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2007 : 13:14:49

Lots of good points. I will look at the impellor. I was flying today over the same place(cattle pass) and the rip was clearly visible from 3000 feet up. I learned a lot and will invest in better charts and a tide almanac. I did not want to hug the shore which would have kept me out of the rip as my chart was not small enough scale. I was also unable to use my VHF as it was in the cabin! Many many lessons.

Tom.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2007 : 14:46:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by atgep
 ...I was also unable to use my VHF as it was in the cabin!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Tom, I hope the lesson there is to have a handheld as well. I believe every boat operating in other than an inland lake should have two VHF radios--a fixed and a handheld. They're the most important safety devices on the boat.

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ClamBeach
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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2007 : 20:33:57

You really have to watch the tides in the North Pacific. Here on Humboldt Bay a big runoff can result in 4-5 kts of current outbound over the bar. When running against an incoming 6-8' Pacific swell it turns them into wicked 12'-18' peakers. Nasty stuff. A lot of boats and lives have been lost crossing on an unfavorable tide.

It's a good practice when motoring in potentially dicey conditions to keep your sails 'at the ready'. I remove my main sail cover and have the halyards and sheet situated so the main can be raised quickly if needed in the event of engine failure. Of course, you've gotta have some breeze to work with and you probably wouldn't want to be messing with your sails in the middle of a tidal race.

Quality 'Pilot Guides' are a good investment when transiting unfamiliar waters.

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2007 : 21:02:24

Oh yeah, the quickness in which things went downhill was astounding. I had the hatchboards open and the lazarette unlocked. If the boat rolled, it would have went down like a rock. A tiny portable VHF is on the short list.
I have had my little yacht in some wicked weather and it has always been a trooper. Some stellar moments include a 60+knot squall at the end of the Mug race 2005, getting nearly knocked down under spinnaker. I have even been in some quite nasty Florida gulfstream weather. But...I have never seen water move in that manner. The motion was simmilar to the wave pool at 6 flags! I will continue to explore but realize there are many ways to improve your safety posture while in unprotected water.

Tom.

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Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2007 : 20:33:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by atgep
 Oh yeah, the quickness in which things went downhill was astounding. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That is the ultimate reason for having a PFD on when sailing solo. Loosing a boat is one thing. Loosing a life is quite another.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 11:42:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">That is the ultimate reason for having a PFD on when sailing solo. Loosing a boat is one thing. Loosing a life is quite another.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Last year I got an inflatable pfd with safety harness, which can be worn very comfortably all the time, and I clip onto jacklines whenever I go forward while singlehanding, or when the seas are rough. It only takes an instant to get knocked off the boat, and watch it sail away from you. It's worthwhile to get something that costs a little more, but that's comfortable, because, if it's uncomfortable, you won't wear it.

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John Russell
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Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 12:24:12

What kind did you by Steve? I've been contemplating Revere or just a separate harness/teher for the one I have.

Edited by - John Russell on 06/06/2007 12:25:31

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 13:06:40

I bought a Sospenders, John. As I recall, I saved a few dollars buying it on sale at West Marine.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 14:04:11

We already had the WM SOSpender auto-inflating PFDs so we bought the WM harness and the WM "racing" tethers. Practical Sailor rated the WM harnesses as the best and the racing tether ($110) as the best. If I had it to do all over I would get the PFD with the integrated harness but the add-on harness is very lightweight and easy to use. We have added Wichard folding padeyes in the cockpit and when on open water the crew is clipped in, even in the cockpit.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 06/06/2007 14:05:47

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 15:05:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 We have added Wichard folding padeyes in the cockpit and when on open water the crew is clipped in, even in the cockpit.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

From your past experience, instead of clipping in while out in open water, it might be better if you were clipped in around the dock.

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Nautiduck
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Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 16:25:36

OK, Don, you will pay for that.

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