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Sailor lost

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/07/2011 : 15:45:39

For those who haven't heard, an Aussie sailor was reported missing on the Chesapeake Bay. He was apparently an experienced sailor who had just bought a 40' boat and was singlehanding it home. It was adrift with engine running and lights on. It's hard to understand how an experienced sailor can be singlehanding without a tether and a harness, but it happens. The story is at the hyperlink.

http://nasailor.com/2011/02/06/missing-aussie-sailor-off-virginia-presumed-lost/

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

Edited by - piseas on 02/08/2011 15:24:49

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2011 : 15:53:47

Very sad to read. Makes you wonder if foul play might have been involved.

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2011 : 16:47:19

Sadly, this is just another example of over-eager-itus.... Sail an Irwin to Australia? Geez! Solo? Geez again.... You are leaving in winter? WTF?

sten

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2011 : 16:55:23

Every once in a while you hear about an experienced sailor making a fatal mistake.

An older sailor . . . loss of mental acuity? heart disease? or just statistics?

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2011 : 20:04:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 Sadly, this is just another example of over-eager-itus.... Sail an Irwin to Australia? Geez! Solo? Geez again.... You are leaving in winter? WTF?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Leaving in, say, November makes sense--by the time he gets through the canal and into the Pacific, he's sailing into late summer, and just needs to make time before the fall descends on the western Pacific (Southern Hemisphere). If he was leaving now, things might have been pleasant down around Panama, but ugly by the time he got to Fiji or Tonga. I've heard some first-hand accounts...

At least his boat was found in the Chesapeake--not quite like "taking a swim" 2000 miles out in the Pacific (at least from his daughter's point of view).

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 02/07/2011 20:11:27

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2011 : 20:56:53

Not to be morbid but out of simple curiosity, I did a search for Irwin Citation 40 to see what the boat looked like on the inside. Nice boat. Found several with a variety of prices, including the boat in the article above. The sale listing is still online. Asking price was $29,000.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5368 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2011 : 21:34:27

Two summers ago there was a solo sailor sailing from Fairfield to Block Island. They found his boat circling off the mouth of the Housatonic River. Seems he was not strapped in and simply fell overboard without a pfd. His body was later found nearby.

Shtuff happens - never know when it will happen to you.

Problem was, in the Australian gentleman's case, he hit cold water. It's usually all over within three minutes (cold shock and water inhilation). If not, loss of manual dexterity occurs within 15 minutes, unconsciousness comes within 30 minutes and death soon afterward. Drowning is usually not an issue, especially if the victim is wearing a pfd.

The sea is a cruel mistress especially in the cold water months.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2011 : 22:54:05

It can happen easily. I went over about 40 years ago - like many young men, I had more bravado than sense, and of course my companion was a lovely young woman who had never been on a sailboat. Fortunately, she was also bright. She new nothing about sailing, but she figured that if she freed all the sheets the boat would probably stop. I did have enough brain cells above my belt to wear a pfd, but I usually didn't. Several lessons learned, and like they say: "Good choices come from experience, experience comes from bad choices." We just need to be fortunate enough to live through the bad choices; sadly, this young man wasn't.

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2011 : 14:09:01

Ok, call me a sceptic, but uh, why does an "Experienced" Aussie sailor buy a $30K Irwin to begin with? Even if you bought it to cruise the Islands, it's still a crappy boat. I sure as hell wouldn't try to sail it to Australia. Hull to deck issues, undersized rigging, etc. ad nauseum... I'm hoping he faked his own death by boarding a friends boat and just disappearing. The Irwin could have very well just been the sacrificial lamb.

sten

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4023 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2011 : 15:09:32

Someone on the forum stated awhile back " The sea is not your friend, It is always trying to kill you" That is something to keep in mined every time you step on a boat.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2011 : 15:23:04

Stuff does happen all the time. An older experienced sailor out of Long Beach, CA sailed about 25 miles solo to Catalina Island. An easy sail. Boat was found but he was missing- to this day!
I sail solo but one time last year, I was out alone when I had to fix a sticking furler. I got a terrible cramp in my leg half way up so I had to scoot on my butt up and back. It really freaked me out as I was approaching a rocky jetty entrance back to Newport. I did manage to get back to cockpit and back to my slip but I could hardly walk. A fellow sailor was there to help me, luckily. It may not sound like much but a cramp is extremely painful. It really put a fear in me.
Several years before this I was set to sail to Catalina Island but 2 days before I needed emergency surgery for my gallbladder. What a stroke of luck I had it at home and not on the boat out to sea.
Stuff happens.
Steve A
PS When I do sail solo,which is less as I get older(59),I always have jack-lines in place, my auto PDF w/ harness attached and my submersible hand-held vhf attached to me. Also I have my autopilot ready and turned on.

Edited by - piseas on 02/10/2011 07:42:56

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2011 : 16:09:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 Ok, call me a sceptic, but uh, why does an "Experienced" Aussie sailor buy a $30K Irwin to begin with? Even if you bought it to cruise the Islands, it's still a crappy boat. I sure as hell wouldn't try to sail it to Australia. Hull to deck issues, undersized rigging, etc. ad nauseum... I'm hoping he faked his own death by boarding a friends boat and just disappearing...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">All of that crossed my mind, too...

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2011 : 18:34:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 ... It may not sound like much but a crap is extremely painful. It really put a fear in me...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Too much information!

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2011 : 18:39:01

Crossed my mind too - wrong boat, wrong season. We'll probably never know.

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2011 : 08:01:21

The plot thickens... Apparently the Aussie tied up to a fishing/observation pier and told the cops he would leave when the Northerlies started in the morning. Now - how would you even begin to even think of tying off to a tall pier like that and why? Especially when his vessel was found 1/4 mile North of Little Creek Inlet which has a Navy facility and a bunch of marinas, AND there are several good anchorages within an hours sail or so?

We have been to Little Creek (Had engine issues and we were told to contact either Howdy Bailey or Fuzz Barclay - true story, you cant make this stuff up.) and with the entrance so close to where his vessel was found, one would think it would be a rather quick trip up the Creek in a skiff and bamn - instant credible disappearance...

I'm just saying!

sten

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2011 : 07:45:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 ... It may not sound like much but a crap is extremely painful. It really put a fear in me...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Too much information!

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Gary, I just wanted to see if anyone was reading my posts! Looks like you are the only one who gives a sh@@

back at you.
Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 02/10/2011 07:47:36

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2011 : 08:03:32

We read it, Steve, Gary just beat me to it! LOL
BTW, I'll agree, leg cramps can be excruciatingly painful. I tend to get them after racing, too much beer and not enough water, so I've started alternating bottles of water with the beer, and I try to remember to eat a banana before racing for the potassium.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2011 : 12:30:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 We read it, Steve, Gary just beat me to it! LOL
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
David, I was joking about seeing if anyone was reading post. You may not have noticed, however, I corrected my typo. Funny you mention about bananas and cramps. I eat them on a pretty regular basis for that exact reason as recommended by my mother in law. I usually get them in the middle of the nite while sleeping. That was the first time on the boat during the day.
Glad I gave you all a smile on your face. Mine too!

Steve A

Edited by - on

skybird
Navigator

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USA
135 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2011 : 12:46:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 We read it, Steve, Gary just beat me to it! LOL
BTW, I'll agree, leg cramps can be excruciatingly painful. I tend to get them after racing, too much beer and not enough water, so I've started alternating bottles of water with the beer, and I try to remember to eat a banana before racing for the potassium.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Racing for potassium??

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2011 : 14:16:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by skybird
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 We read it, Steve, Gary just beat me to it! LOL
BTW, I'll agree, leg cramps can be excruciatingly painful. I tend to get them after racing, too much beer and not enough water, so I've started alternating bottles of water with the beer, and I try to remember to eat a banana before racing for the potassium.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Racing for potassium??

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Glad to see I am not the only person who is the butt of everyone jokes.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2011 : 20:23:33

I know it's all in good fun. Keep at it, for it helps us stay alert.

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Boomeroo
Navigator

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Australia
129 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2011 : 04:04:30

Ahhh as the only Aussie on this I have to respond .
Yes the boat choice is ?? as plenty of good yachts available on west coast .
A Cape Dory 25 sailed single handed to Australia " Breezy" Story is on web
Experience but stupid or suspicious.
But anyone can make a mistake .
Good example of experienced sailor is on following link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFGINs_4xrs

Note end

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2011 : 07:24:13

Great video, lots of things that could go wrong racing one of those things. First time I've seen an 18 footer that requires 5 to race it.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2011 : 07:52:01

Nothing quite like jibing with running backstays! And at the end, what was that foresail with the huge batten up high--some sort of super-high-aspect jib? They were flying it along with the asym. ...and I loved that last little "dive" by the committee boat!

You can see some similar action here in Mystic (except for the committee boat attack) when they race the historic "Sandbaggers", with broad, flat hulls and humongous mains--the boom extends far beyond the transom. The total length of the sailplan is double that of the hull. They were the super-sleds of the 19th Century.

Then, for crazy sailplans, there are the "log canoes"...

[ /hijack ]

Back on topic: Any news about the lost Aussie?

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 02/11/2011 08:03:09

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2011 : 14:53:02

Dave, the guy in the film called it a lee cloth, whatever that is. boat looks complicated, but loads of fun.
Haven't heard anything new on the missing Aussie, real shame.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2011 : 15:28:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 Dave, the guy in the film called it a lee cloth, whatever that is.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Looking closer... It appears to hoist to the mast-head on the lee side of the main, with a built-in gaff at the head and a sort of mini-boom riding on the main boom, and appears to act as an extension to the main rather than a separate sail. Something new every day...

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 02/11/2011 15:29:42

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