Yacht "Fleur" Rescued 3 Weeks After Crew Abandon Ship

[David_Old_Jersey]

"abandoned the 40-foot sailing boat Fleur on 1 May, she was taking in water and they presumed that she had sunk..........the boat was pummelled by Force 10 winds more than 300 miles off the west Irish coast......"


Look what we’ve found! » News » This Is Jersey

Tanker to the rescue of Fleur's crewmen

[jackdale]

It appears that someone just salvaged a very nice yacht.

Jack

[Southern Star]

Sadly, not an uncommon tale. Some of you may remember a book from the 1980's by a Canadian sailor who abondoned his Nonsuch 30 in the Atlantic, as I recall criticizing the designer (Mark Ellis) and the builder (Hinterholler) for the vessel's failings. Well, you guessed it, it was found 6 months later drifting in (I believe) the Sea of Japan, having survived intact by lying ahull and drifting for many thousands of miles unattended.

If there is a lesson to be learned it is probably this: the greatest risk that most of face when offshore in terrible conditions is our own fear.

Brad

[imagine2frolic]

Southern Star,

I have to agree with you on fear. It can either break you down, or it can make you stronger. Ellis & Hinterholler must have been snickering when the boat was found......i2f

[Vic de Beer]

That is why I maintain.... should the situation ever arise: "Step UP into your liferaft, not DOWN"

[ColdFusion]

Originally Posted by Vic de Beer

That is why I maintain.... should the situation ever arise: "Step UP into your liferaft, not DOWN"

That's an old cliché but nevertheless one that I agree with, sat in the comfort of my armchair...

Even Richard Woods (prolific cat designer, boat builder and sailor) abandoned Eclipse in a Pacific storm, only to hear of his boat still afloat several months later (albeit minus engine, sails, etc, etc). Let's not forget that it can get scary out there, at times, and when it does your usual good judgement can be overcome by fear and the desire to survive.

[Ocean Girl]

I have personal experience of being on a sinking yacht, in the Atlantic, in 70 plus winds. When all two electrical and one manual bilge pump broke down I decided to drag the life raft out from under the dinette table. My captain just looked at me from her bunk and said "If this fine boat can't take this storm, what makes you think that rubber raft can?"
Stay with the boat,
Erika

[MarkJ]

I agree, Erika

Not having a shot at Vic, but that saying is said very often. too often, and is not expressive enough. But Vic and all that use it are well meaning When I read it I always think the liferaft WILL be above the boat... on the swells!

My dad had some sayings to me as a child trying to teach me things, or reinforce safety things. Some I only ever understood when I was an adult. Better to use straight language: You chances of survival are far higher in a yacht awash in a storm than any liferaft. etc

Maybe we should come up with a great definitive statement we can all use and remember when in the situation.