Fatality - Clipper around the world race

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by BlueBuddha

It is very scary that it appear she was wearing a AIS locator and yet the boat was not able to pick her up in time. I am wondering how long did it take from the time she fell to the time the boat found her.

Now they have to decide whether they head towards Japan or Hawaii. Either way they have a long way to go before they can get the support with the transport of the body.

A RCC can arrange a rendezvous with a AMVER volunteer ship. I know that it works with live crew.

[boatman61]

Its the second death on this boat during the event..
Seems the organisers Want the crew to continue in the event.. bad publicity if they walk.. not good for future finance..??

[alansmith]

RIP, the Chinese believe that these sort of things are determined by 'one's fate'. I believe that in dicey situations it only takes one mistake in judgement to seal your fate. What a price she paid for her mistake.

In rescue situation like this can u imagine finding her and retrieving her with high wind and sea? I think the hypothermia took her in the first 20- 30 minutes with just regular foulies on. Incredibly sad story.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by BlueBuddha

It is very scary that it appear she was wearing a AIS locator and yet the boat was not able to pick her up in time. I am wondering how long did it take from the time she fell to the time the boat found her.

According to the statement, she went over at 11:27 UTC and recovered at 12:44 UTC. That would be 77 minutes in the water. Thats a long time.
The crew should be commended for their efforts...I'm sure it was a time of sheer hell for them all.

Rest In Peace Sarah Young.

[pbmaise]

My first impression is there is a problem with vessel design for these races. "Big open cockpit" in high winds and seas sounds bad. However, upon more research I learned.

Since these races first began, over 4000 crew have sailed on these vessels.

This season 709 crew.

These two deaths represent the only two in the 20 year history of the event.

Source: Clipper Round the World Race crew dies after man overboard in the Pacific - Yachting World

I am not saying 2 is acceptable. Obviously the correct acceptable figure is 0. However, I hope this stays in prospective. Certainly the 4000 crew were exposed to other forms of accidents on the way to and from the events. There will be no clamor to ban automobiles, or motorbikes had two crew suffered an accident to or from the event.

And yes I do want a inquest. From what I can read there is no reason she should have been on deck and not clipped on. Further, what is the spacing on the life lines? With smaller crew members the current spacing may not be adequate especially around the cockpit.

Here is another story of someone sliding off the boat below the life lines:
SUCCESSFUL CREW OVERBOARD RECOVERIES REQUIRE PRACTICE, PRACTICE, AND PRACTICE — UKSailmakers

A big reason clipping on is mandatory anytime we are in high sea or winds aboard my vessel is I have no lifelines at all.

[Peter1949]

Latest update is burial at sea
RIP Sarah

[boatman61]

Aye.. the family are apparently in favour of this saying 'Its what she would have wanted'.. burial at sea instructions and service have been sent to the boat..
Sail on Sarah Young.

[barnakiel]

Most sad news. Bad luck twice for the same boat I think this must be a shock to her crew and I feel for all those on the boat.

Not much to learn for cruisers except that one should be tethered as much as possible.

I noticed no nets on Clipper boats. Probably for a good reason. Yet a leash and a net could have saved a life this time.

No reason not to have them on a cruising boat. IMHO

b.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Polux

That is very sad but also odd:

"Sarah Young, 40, had been tidying the yacht's cockpit during gale-force winds at the back of the boat when she was hit by the wave."

She was tidying the boat with 40k winds and bad seas?

Maybe a 1 Avril prank but if it is the case a bad taste one, since somebody had already died on that race.

I think Sara was a crew not a guest. She was on the job. No wonder she was doing a job in the cockpit in these conditions.

b.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by BlueBuddha

It is very scary that it appear she was wearing a AIS locator and yet the boat was not able to pick her up in time. I am wondering how long did it take from the time she fell to the time the boat found her.

Now they have to decide whether they head towards Japan or Hawaii. Either way they have a long way to go before they can get the support with the transport of the body.

I think about 1 hour 20 minutes.

Likely a tanker or other cargo will be diverted.

b.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by alansmith

(...)

In rescue situation like this can u imagine finding her and retrieving her with high wind and sea? I think the hypothermia took her in the first 20- 30 minutes with just regular foulies on. Incredibly sad story.

Alan,

She was unlikely in regular foulies, just. These people wear gtex gear and some wear gtex drysuits. Given the conditions, she likely had both base layer and mid layer on. She was an athletic 40 y.o. person and would in all likelihood not succumb to hypothermia early.

It sounds as if Sara may have been unconscious when she got swept by the second wave. It is easy to hit things like winches and other hardware when falling down and out of control.

b.

[SaltyMonkey]

Im not going to dare speculate.

I read the Yachting World link.

I was extremely impressed with her experience.

[donradcliffe]

I have to say that sailing Japan to Seattle at this time of year is like grabbing the tail of the tiger--pretty piss poor planning.

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by boatman61

40kts and seas don't mean you leave ropes washing around the cockpit.. I doubt she was clearing the champagne glasses and snacks away.. if you've been there you'll know.. things happen.

Yes, Boatie,

Tidying up the cockpit is what you do when you finish doing something else (in this case, the reefing), in order that everything is properly to hand for the next thing you have to do. This is true on our boat, and was true when we were racing, as well.

What an unfortunate incident. My sympathy to her family, friends and teammates.

Ann

[Rustic Charm]

Im a little surprised that on such a professional race she was not tethered on, especially in conditions like that. looking at a number of other video's of this one and some of the other big races it looks like not being tethered is a common thing?

Im also a little surprised that the family can authorise a buriel at sea?

If she was Australian the family could request but wouldnt be able to authorise this. Both an autopsy and an inquest woukd be required.

As is common on CF there appears an assumption by some that she died by exposure. There is a very high likelyhood she drowned immediately. I really don't think many CF readers, and even experienced CF sailors completely understand what can happen when a person goes overboard 'when not expecting' to go overboard.

Im saddened for the family, and especially for the rest of the crew.