Abandoned Westsail 32 Free for Taking (Fiji, Pacific)

[Dirk Williams]

Tracking this with interest. Being new, what or how would a fellow SV, recover and tow Bills boat.

What would the recovery and Journey to land look like?. How far behind your SV would you tow the His boat. Place a crew member on his boat, simply sail it in.

What about a single harder, how would that look.

Opportunity to learn from you old sailors who have been their, done that.

Dirk

[Panope]

Do a google search and read about Matt Rutherford's attempt at salvaging the Swan 48 WOLFHOUND.

Matt is one of the most resourceful sailors on the water, yet even he failed to bring this boat to port (about 700 miles) in spite of a sizable cash reward (that he certainly could have used) that awaited him.

Steve

[zeehag]

wetsnails stay floating.
tough lil boats.
nothing was wrong with boat when owner was airlifted.
owner was broken, not boat.

[a64pilot]

I don't think you would tow this one. I believe you would sail her

[captain58sailin]

Sailing would be a much better route than towing if it is possible. I hope he gets his boat back.

[pete33458]

Originally Posted by Steady Hand

I am curious about the medical diagnosis of the injury. If anyone comes across mention of the specific injury, please post here. Bill Shaw wrote that the dropped dinghy did not break bones or the skin and he had no initial bruising.

Would it be a deeper broken blood vessels beneath the skin, a contusion? From which the blood came to the surface and formed the blister wound?

I am curious about how this kind of injury may develop over time and recommended treatment if anyone knows.

It sounds more likely that the ailment was cellulitis or perhaps fasciitis. In severe cases these would both be treated by antibiotics and surgical debridement/skin grafting, as he indicated was the case for him.

Sounds like it must have been hell, I'm not surprised he's been put off sailing, hopefully it will be temporary...

[Don C L]

Sailing not towing, unless you have a tug. Ideally you take a crew of four or more experienced sailors out to sail her back because I would not count on vane or AP working. They probably still do, but I wouldn't count on anything. And then just getting on her safely may be tricky depending on conditions. After going over her, the crew may even then decide it is best not to try to sail her for some unknown reason (e.g. maybe sails are shredded, rigging damaged, etc) and have to get off and back safely (better have a good RIB). Now, could one person just jump on and singlehand her back, sure, of course, possibly. I am just talking about what I'd be thinking to prepare for...
ok, I could imagine a towing scenario but you'd have to have a great diesel and great chafing gear ready or use steel cable or chain for that section going through a chock or hawsehole...
had this situation come up once...

[CareKnot]

My best to the man. I hope he and his baby are reunited soon.

[CareKnot]

Any word on Bill or his yacht? I really feel for the guy, y'know?

[Davidhoy]

Originally Posted by CareKnot

Any word on Bill or his yacht? I really feel for the guy, y'know?

He's doing reasonably well, according to his posts on his Facebook page. Out of the hospital and staying with family in Nevada. I haven't heard anything about his boat, hope it's found and returned to him soon.

-David

[Davidhoy]

From Bill's Facebook page a few days ago:

I had a couple of friends head out to look for my boat, Galena. But they got no further than the Northwest corner of the Fijian Islands when the AIS signal was lost. So they turned back.

By my estimates she should be in the southern end of the Solomon Islands by now, if she hasn't sunk or been salvaged. There she will most likely end up on a reef.

-David

[Don C L]

Sorry to hear that, hope she turns up.