This is a writeup by a survivor.
http://www.sailinganarchy.com/article.php?get=9197
We learn from others misfortune.
Recent Crewed Farallones Incident
(7 posts) (5 voices)-
Badger
MemberPreparing for the EC has REALLY opened my eyes to what constitutes being prepared when sailing... especially what goes into a lifejacket system. Second, it has made me much more aware of risks I'd previously taken without much forethought... a captain cannot just push off from the shore, assuming that the boat and crew are ready for the conditions, until they've asked themselves if a knockdown/dismasting/MOB/navigational error/medical emergency happens, what is the plan?
In no way do I think that the sailors who lost their lives failed to answer these questions. I'd just hate to be a skipper going to give families horrible news without having answered those questions in advance. I do think that as crew, I've been fairly reticent to question skippers about backup plans, about safety preparations, about emergency equipment and supplies.
Human nature being what it is, it is easy to become complacent, and confuse past success with competence, good fortune with safety. The Farallons are the vanguard of a continent suddenly impacting on Pacific swells carrying the momentum of thousands of miles of unimpeded progress. It is hubris to believe that each wave will be like the previous hundred, and that none will be a killer. We are not owed safety or good fortune on the water; bad luck will eventually find us. Only by being as well prepared as possible can we modify the risk and live with ourselves afterwards.
I have no idea what lessons Chief is taking from the disaster.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Good question. What can we learn from this tragedy?
We already have safety as my prime motivator for the rules and required equipment. There is not much more that I can do. The rest is up to the captain and crew. Everyone should have safety as their overriding concern when considering a WaterTribe Challenge or just a fun day on the water. Be ready for anything at any time.
I was talking recently with a sailmaker about this tragedy and how it related to the five-page discussion we had on the new reefing rules. The reefing rule is now solid, but there will be a new procedure on inspection day.
- All boats subject to the reefing rule must setup on the beach with the first reef in for inspection. This includes veteren WaterTribers.
- If the wind is such that having a sail up is inconvenient, turn the boat so that the wind is more convenient. If your boat is too hard to turn while above the high water mark, it is not a small boat.
- The second reef will be inspected and may or may not be required to be set as well.
Even so, stuff happens. Be ready for anything.
Posted 10 years ago # -
In both the west coast sailing tragedies, the boats ran into tiera firma...the incident at the Farrallones was simply a case of a navigational error; the boat was too close to the rocks. Poor judgement.
The incident in the Ensenada Race was even more crazy. At first everyone thought they were run over by a ship...a few days later it was discovered the boat had a Spot tracking device. When they looked at the track the boat sailed straight into the north side of an island with an very nasty shoreline. They were in the cruising class, which allows motoring and their track indicated a speed of about 7 knots so they were not sailing; it was light winds and at night.
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0PPpktkSXb0QR2ojCNeoelyfYAx2eVZzF
They should have done a few Watertribe events to get more experience. It is sad but it is also impossible to protect everyone from their own devices...there's always someone trying to be in contention for a Darwin award.
Posted 10 years ago # -
And back to the original question of Lessons Learned:
Have all the required equipment and KNOW how to use it...tested in trying conditions.
Know WHEN to use it; having two reef points (or three) in the sail does one no good if you are not shortening sail in advance of when it's needed. And this should be practiced when it's blowing hard. The simpler the system the better. On our Presto 30, with free standing rigs with wishbone booms, we can put a reef in in less than a minute. Halyard, tack and clew are all adjusted at the mast on the mizzen and standing in the cockpit for the main with all controls led aft. We reef early and often as the boat goes just as fast reefed and it's more comfortable.
PRACTICE emergency maneuvers...whether it's a man overboard drill or flipping and re-righting the boat on a day when it's blowing hard enough that you might turn over...say 20+ knots. (That will tell you also whether you need flotation up high in the rig).
Stay with the boat...I read Wizard's piece on Tethers which was excellent...I do some double-handed sailing in the summer in New England and we wear a harness and 6'-8' tether while on deck. I think for watertribe events (ie smaller boats) a longer tether like Wizard suggests so it is easier to maneuver in the water to re-right the boat makes sense. A thether of 5-6mm dyneema 12 strand braid is strong, light, floats, and is easily spliced.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Badger
MemberIt's interesting to me how humility is an excellent defense, but one which may not improve your skillset. My brother put it nicely when describing the actions of his younger son when faced with a new swimming hole with muddy water. Although a swimmer, he said, "no thanks" and played on the jungle gym instead. A sign that Darwin's Law was not going to ensnare him that day. His older (but usually not bolder) brother went swimming and did fine, stretching his boundaries in an important way.
Only the bold shall triumph. On day #2 of the EC 2012, my wife and I survived a crazy run down Sarasota Bay in 30mph winds, plus gusts. We learned to use a fully furled mainsail as a storm sail, kept our voices calm, and thought our way to shore. We found sanctuary at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, and gratefully sat out the rest of the day. Had we but continued past the SSS and continued 'round the bend, we would probably have made CP1 that day without incident.
As it was, we hung out with some phenomenal Watertribe members and enjoyed the hospitality of a fine sailing establishment; those folks are very kind and generous.
I think that both choices, either ducking into shelter and gaining wisdom from a choice born of humility and subsequent conversation with veteran sailors, or continuing on and proving your boat is well found and capable, lead to improved judgement. But the opportunity for this choice, and any subsequent wisdom garnered, came from a foolish decision, namely to head out of the mangroves off Longboat Key Moorings in the first place.
Really, we should have stayed put and listened to the wind howl. We got lucky, but gained a great deal from the experience.
Posted 10 years ago # -
CleanSlate
MemberI took away the following from the story.
1. Have great respect for breaking waves.
2. Always remember that waves break sooner in shallow water. Bigger waves can break farther out.
3. When rounding an island, don't try to cut it short to save a bit of time. Stay far enough away to make sure you are in the deeper water with a very large margin of error.
4. Always assume that the next wave will be bigger than the wave that just came by and be prepared for that possibility.
5. If you are just outside the breakers for all the recent waves, you are probably too close in. The next one might get you.
Posted 10 years ago #
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