Jul 07 2010
Upside down in wild cold seas in Northern California
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Just gotta wonder what they were thinking.
Everyone got rescued, but there was probably no good reason why they should have found themselves upside down under their catamaran in the first place. Read the report in Latitude 38.
Then comment, critique, write a diatribe or just speculate.
BTW – if you don’t subscribe to the ‘lectronic version of Latitude 38, you can start right here.
While I have found myself at sea more than once in extreme conditions, I can’t help but question the wisdom of these three to embark in those conditions. If winds of 40 to 50 knots are not reason enough to give one pause, then 20 foot seas should be for a 32 foot catamaran. Being caught out in rough conditions is one thing and something that comes with the sport, but to head out in hazardous conditions is a far different matter. Even assuming these three sailors were experienced enough to be out in such conditions (which to my way of thinking would have to require some pretty serious seamanship), who in their right mind would be out in that stuff without wearing a life vest? Hell, we even wear ours in totally benign conditions, and wouldn’t even think of leaving the dock without wearing one! What was really impressive was the amazing job of the Coast Guard who were risking their own lives to save these three. I wonder if the rescued sailors even gave a second thought to the fact that by heading out in such conditions, they not only risked their lives, but those of the courageous folks who had to come out after them.