Knockdown and Capsizing - Sail Training Yacht Concordia 300

[OBXTucker]

This is one of the best maritime accident reports I've ever read. I think all of us can take "something" from reading this extensive report. While you may disagree, I believe we all operate our vessels with some form of complacency - or at least within a "comfort range". In the case of Concordia, they were fully in control of the vessel (or so they thought) up until the point where they were no longer in control. That "point" happened very quickly.

http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/marine/2010/m10f0003/m10f0003.asp

Little things that happened aboard already have me thinking about the events that immediately follow a sinking or capsizing:
- how easily does the EPIRB release?
- how easily does the liferaft release and will it/can it get snagged/deflated during opening?
- is my ditch bag really accessible?
- how quickly can I get the crew/guests into life jackets?
- heck, how quickly can I get to the life jackets?

- I'm a radio and flashlight nut, so I'm not concerned about having strong batteries/spares
- My mustang vest has strobes and PLB and radio attached, along with my name on the inside
- Crew has Mustangs already sized for them - with their names
- EPIRB's and MMSI numbers are up to date, along with emergency names/phone numbers

Bottom line...this is a GREAT read. Take the time to read it please. Even if you have your All OCEANS, you'll glean something from this.

 

[labrador]

If you are going offshore you should attend the safety at sea seminars held around the country. To do the Newport to Bermuda race 70% of the crew must have attended these seninars within the last 3 years or you're not going. All of the issues you discussed above are covered along with live demonstrations like inflating a life raft etc.

 

[carolinacoast]

a second vote for Safety at Sea. I have attended two in different cities over the years. Invaluable. My first eye opener was the statistic on hypothermia. The short version is tell your crew to never swim toward a life ring that is out of reach. The second one seared in my brain is never try to retrieve a crew member from the windward side. You are likely in a beam sea at this point and with windage you will blow right over you crewman if the retrieval doesn't go perfectly. Great training for anyone interested, or if the deep blue is calling you. Between the Fastnet and Sidney Hobart Disasters, the sailing community really got into gear to protect future lives. NYYC and RBYC (Newport/Bermuda Race host clubs) were the first that I saw here to enforce minimum safety regs for vessels and crew. Other venues have followed. You can review the vessel requirements online - a great benchmark for offshore vessel safety.

 

[rsmith]

Most pleasure boaters are woefully ill prepared for emergencys at sea or even in sheltered waters. A lot of it is this puffed up bravado that they and their boats are invincible. When was the last time you threw a life jacket at the "admiral" and told her she had 3 min to put it on, then made her jump in the water.