Do you think winds to 20 and seas to 25 feet are a bit much?

Nov 28 2009

Do you think winds to 20 and seas to 25 feet are a bit much?

Published by Capt. Dan at 17:54 under safety at sea,Sailing

The Coast Guard blog made the following report”

Mavericks

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Coast Guard and Pillar Point Harbor Patrol have recovered two men from the water after their 34-foot sailing vessel capsized near Pillar Point at approximately 4:30 p.m. today.

The Coast Guard launched two 47-foot Motor Lifeboats from Coast Guard Station Golden Gate and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station San Francisco in response to a 9-1-1 call and a flare sighting south of Pillar Point. The Pillar Point Harbor Patrol recovered one man shortly after the flare sighting. A search continued for a second person who was spotted by the Coast Guard helicopter crew at 5:37 p.m. and recovered by the Pillar Point Harbor Patrol.

The cause of the capsizing is unknown at this time. The weather conditions in the area during the search were winds of 20 miles per hour with seas between 15 and 25 feet.

Perhaps the captain should have checked weather and buoy reports. The wind doesn’t seem too bad, but seas up to 25 feet are hazardous to boats much larger than 34. And don’t forget, Pillar Point lies at the foot of Mavericks – site of international Big Wave competitions.

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