Urgent help needed to recover abandoned yacht NW Barbados

[allwentwrong]

iPhone and iPad, got the red dot notification but can't find the messages

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Shock.. Horror..!!!
You Doubt the Holy Grail.. ???

Please forgive me Obiwan. Gone to the dark side I have.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by allwentwrong

iPhone and iPad, got the red dot notification but can't find the messages

If you are using the latest phone App their is an "envelope icon" top right.

Open that and you get the PM Inbox

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by masonc

AIS uses VHF antennas. VHF antennas achieve their gain by focusing their output into a horizontal donut, avoiding raising power upwards or downwards. Consequently, there is very little output directed towards satellites.

Now I get the receiver in the plane. Line of sight.

[allwentwrong]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Private messages are under your name and Last visited info at the top right corner.. next to the Sailing Wiki Ad.

For profile comments click on your name

Yeah that's where I've been looking still can't find them :-/

So I apologise for taking time to reply to pms as every now and then I go on the web forum, where as I'm normally using the app

[Snore]

Originally Posted by allwentwrong

Yeah that's where I've been looking still can't find them :-/

So I apologise for taking time to reply to pms as every now and then I go on the web forum, where as I'm normally using the app

AWW new iPhone app SUCKS. Switch to web view then use web portal to see messages.

[rant font] mentioned this several times in support thread with no %##>! responses from mods. [/rant font]

[Juho]

Originally Posted by allwentwrong

Yeah that's where I've been looking still can't find them :-/

Did you log in?

[MarkJ]

Electrical question relevant to this thread.

The engine was left in idle thus charging the batteries.
I expect with the fuel on board it would have run out by now.
All other electronics, refigeration etc was turned off except the AIS.

My question: The KEY would still be on. The alternator still connected and the battery banks (house and engine) still combined

Would this ignition situation cause the house bank to run down faster than if the key was off?

I.e. I am trying to work out if the 400 amp hours of battery bank should still be reasonably charged.


Thanks.


Mark

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Electrical question relevant to this thread.

The engine was left in idle thus charging the batteries.
I expect with the fuel on board it would have run out by now.
All other electronics, refigeration etc was turned off except the AIS.

My question: The KEY would still be on. The alternator still connected and the battery banks (house and engine) still combined

Would this ignition situation cause the house bank to run down faster than if the key was off?

I.e. I am trying to work out if the 400 amp hours of battery bank should still be reasonably charged.


Thanks.


Mark

I think A64 brought up solar. It's pretty common these days, especially for blue water cruisers. Has the OP stated whether he had solar panels?

[a64pilot]

Yes the key being on will kill the batteries faster, first you have a horn screaming at you, maybe an electric fuel pump and maybe a bilge blower going, low oil pressure light and the alternator field current like you said. I hadn't thought about that.

[RPZ]

Just a question relevant to the discussion; I am aware of the personal epirbs which have a max battery output of about 90 hours(?). Is there not one that has a big ( like a sealed car battery size) self-contained power source that would run it for weeks or months?

[bob-lauriem]

I am heading back to Barbuda tomorrow morning for a couple of weeks. (yes, Barbuda is my 2nd home) Will keep an eye out hoping a "miracle" will happen.

That said though; and I am NOT trying to be pessimistic; but I think your chances of finding your vessel are close to zero. Really though, have you talked about the retrieval of your boat with you family? I would think that they are concerned about you heading back. What will happen to your children if you don't make it? (I am sure you have thought of this but take a second to reconsider what you are doing...accept the loss and count yourself lucky at the same time)

I will take a step back here....

I have been flying professionally for most of my life, ran our own air ambulance company in more remote areas. One of the most important lessons that I have learned over the years is:

IF you are JUST STARTING to think something is not right,it probably isn't. Execute a MISSED approach. Full power, max rate of climb etc. GET OUT OF DODGE until you can assess the situation, gain situational awareness and save the day basically. THEN make a rational decision a to what to do next....kinda like thinking "maybe I should reef soon?" Well, JUST THINKING it means you probably should!

What does this have to do with your situation? Well; EVERYTHING. YOU made the CORRECT decision to abandon the boat. Everyone will "armchair quarterback" your reasons BUT they were NOT there. YOU had your FAMILY to worry about and were probably exhausted. That is understood.

Trying or thinking about trying to get back aboard "alone" is not good. Sorry, but really. You made the CORRECT decision to abandon the vessel; stay with THAT decision! Going back on board "IF" you can find it is not in your family's best interest. Count yourself lucky, look at your kids and wife and thank the lord you are there with them.

BTW; I try to keep my mouth shut on these forums but some of the ideas of taking a single engine piston aircraft to "find" your boat (let alone using another boat) is crazy. Will not work without a fix.. Radar? Aircraft (unless SAR Aircraft) do not have radar that will work for that. (yes, I have "painted 1000' ships" before but SEARCH radar will paint a dinghy when required. Military stuff.) Understand your "hoping or wishing" but it will not work. 40 years of flying including down here....it will NOT work.

Give your kids and wife a hug and love them. There is always tomorrow. You will be around to watch them grow up.

As said above, heading back to Barbuda tomorrow. I will put the word out among the fishers. A few fish the East coast inside the reef. Crazy.

Wish you and your family the best.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Scout 30

Has the OP stated whether he had solar panels?

No solar, no wind.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Yes the key being on will kill the batteries faster, first you have a horn screaming at you, maybe an electric fuel pump and maybe a bilge blower going, low oil pressure light and the alternator field current like you said. I hadn't thought about that.

Yeah, forgot about the bilge blower, buzzers etc.
Auto pilot was off.

Anyone wanna hazzard a guess of the amps draw?

1 or 2?

It's important.

[Bleemus]

Buzzer, blower, led light. Maybe over two amps easy.