More sad news from the world of sailing, as two bodies were recovered today by Coast Guard divers from the 35-foot sailboat Wingnuts after its capsize in the Chicago Yacht Club's Race to Mackinac. The two drowned after the boat capsized in 60-mile-an-hour winds and 6-foot seas. Six other crew were rescued, all wearing PFDs. Details of the boat's condition at the time of the capsize have not been released, but one can speculate that as often happens among racing sailboats, the team may have been slow to reduce sail as the wind built. This is not to fault them - just to raise the issue. Experienced cruising sailors are usually more concerned with safety than making top speed, and a wise sailor learns to reef sails early, or even to heave to, to avoid being caught in a situation where a sudden gust can capsize the boat. News reports have not stated whether the two sailors who drowned were wearing PFDs, but obviously they should have been, ideally along with harnesses and tethers designed to keep them on or with the boat. Never forget the principles of sailing safety, even when speed in a race seems a priority.
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Comments
what type of boat was it?
Sails were down, crew was tethered in. They did everything they should have. Reportedly the two that drowned suffered head trauma when they went over and were not able to help themselves. It was a Kiwi 35. Tom, your speculation is wrong and to assume that just because they were racing that this crew did not take neccessary precautions. You should rewrite this and apologize for your arrogant tone.
Thank you for the information in your comment, Mariner. Today’s news stories do in fact reveal this information, and I’m sorry for speculating in yesterday’s post about preventable actions that might not have been taken. I’m writing a corrective new post now.
http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/index.cfm?SEID=0&Nid=86145&SRCID=0&ntid=12&tickeruid=0&tickerCID=0
The link above sums it up. winds in excess of 100 knots; very light boat. Lucky they didn’t go airborn.
I also found USCG video showing the lifting Center board was extended and waving in the air above the turtled hull.