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Did you know this man?

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JJM
Navigator

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USA
170 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/27/2005 : 16:22:12

Charlie Segal @ Catalina Yacht Anchorage in Marina Del Rey, CA.

Well, Charlie was an avid sailor, went racing last Wednesday and slipped off the sailboat then apparently had heart failure and drowned. I just attended his memorial service last night.

He was not wearing a PFD and was not tethered in any way. The ocean can be so very unforgiving.

Charlie left behind his wife, Rosemary, and 4 young children.

He was the guy who sold me my 250 last year, was whom I referred to as my dealer in previous posts, and proved to me to be an 'encyclopedia' of knowledge on Catalinas (per Frank Butler - yes a Frank sighting).

Charlie knew Catalinas like the back of his hand. He was always ready to assist with answers to all my neubie questions and none to him were too 'silly'. He was an icon in Marina Del Rey. Everyone involved in the marine industry in the area (and beyond) knew Charlie at Catalina Yachts. He ensured that my new boat was commissioned properly and took me out on my first sail to verify that everything was put together properly and functioning normally.

Charlie started working for Catalina at the factory in Woodland Hills, CA, worked his way into selling and genuinely cared about boats, people and animals. He was a real giving person - of his time and of his knowledge.

Last night the Church overflowed with friends and family - it looked like Christmas eve. Charlie's wife Rosemary, who is Catholic (Charlie was not), remarked that it took a non-Catholic to fill the church!!!

Well Charlie surely will be missed by many, many people, and I feel like I lost a very good friend - there when I needed him, but not overly demanding of my time.

To those of you who may have known Charlie, Frank Butler has started a Memorial Trust fund for his children, so if you feel inclined to donate, here is the information -
Send donations to:

<b>"Charles Segal Memorial Fund"
c/o Farmers & Merchants Bank
1220 E. Ketella Avenue
Orange, CA 92867</b>

John
"Enchanted Becuma"
C250 '04 WK #746

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2005 : 16:45:57

Did not know him but wish I had. My condolences for your loss.

Steve

Edited by - on

Keith D.
Navigator

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USA
233 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2005 : 22:38:01

I did not know Charlie but have heard of him and I may have met him when I was at Catalina Yacht Anchorage. He was very well known and will be missed. It’s tuff to see someone only 46 years old have a heart attack. As I understand it he was still alive when they got him to the hospital and died shortly after getting there. Last Wednesday’s race was a bad one. On the last leg of the race most of the boats had their spinnakers up when the wind kicked up very fast. Five or six of the boats broached, one of the boats was demasted and one sank. When Charlie went over one of his other crewmembers saw he didn’t have a life vest on and he did so he dove in after him. He got him to the back of the boat but couldn’t get him into the boat. By that time the harbor patrol was there and got him to Daniel Freedman hospital where he died. As we went out for the race yesterday there was a wreath in the water at the mouth of the harbor in his memory. I am sure he will be missed by many.

Edited by - on

JJM
Navigator

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USA
170 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2005 : 23:27:50

At the memorial on Tuesday the other crew members that sailed with him that night were asked to stand so that we could applaud their heroic efforts in attempting to save him. Very unfortunate that they were unable to.

He is gone but not forgotten.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2005 : 23:46:56

http://www.argonautnewspaper.com/articles/2005/04/28/news_-_features/marina_del_rey/mdr3.txt

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2005 : 08:47:40

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The sailboat crew immediately turned to pick him up and Garnett jumped in the water to assist Segal, who was still conscious.

But as the sailboat came to assist, the crew was unable to lift Segal aboard.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I weigh 300 lbs, if I had gone in they would not have gotten me out either. It sure makes you wonder why there was not adequate flotation available to get the situation under control until help arrived, (which it did). I wonder if we will ever see the autopsy report.

Edited by - on

gnorgan
Admiral

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USA
563 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2005 : 01:59:17

My wife and I met Charlie years ago when we were looking at the C250 wing down at Catalina Yacht Anchorage. We were impressed at how long he spent showing us the boats they had for sale. I remember sitting in the C250 cabin just talking sailing and going to the Catalina Rendevous. We later bought our current C25 in Oceanside. We also ran into him at the Rendevous at Two Harbors. He was very relaxed and extremely helpful and treated us as friends.
About the beginning of April I'd been looking at the C28 for a possible upgrade when I happened to read in the Santana Magazine that C.Y.A. had 3 used Catalina 28s for sale so on April 9th I emailed C.Y.A. asking for some info regarding the boats and slip availability. Charlie sent back this reply on April 13 around 1:30p.m.:

"We do ahve slips in Marina Del Rey for these boats. The 28 could get a slip at 182.00 per month until you get one where you want or you could ahve it permanently. If you have any further questions or want to see the boats please feel free to contact me."

Charles Segal
Catalina Yacht Anchorage
13505 Bali Way
Marina Del Rey Ca 90292
Phone 310 822 0669
Fax 310 822 6277
e-mail: charlie@cyayachts.com
Cellular Phone 310 480 0614

Just reinforces my desire to always wear safety gear and to give big hugs to those we love before heading out....

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Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2005 : 13:32:15

Very sad to hear about this. My condolences to Charlie's family.

Safety should certainly be everyones number one concern.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2005 : 16:45:06

Without knowing the full specifics of the accident, it sounds like an instance of 'cold water shock'... which can trigger nearly instant cardiac arrest in a succeptible individual.

This syndrome can turn a simple 'dunking' into a tragedy. It is certainly something we should all be aware of in our safety practices and recovery planning.

Something for all of us senior sailors to think about... the 5-50's rule.
A 50 year old person stands a 50-50 chance of surviving a 50 yard swim in 50 degree water.

Interesting site with more info... http://www.capital.net/com/nckayak/nck_safety_p4.htm

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