It can happen to anyone

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by powsmias

epirb?

SPOT Summer Savings

Yes, EPIRB. Only an EPIRB is directly connected to the search and rescue authorities. SPOT and other devices are not managed by government agencies the way EPIRBs are. There have been many threads here on this comparison.

See for example:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ds-146617.html

or:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ad-146136.html

[GordMay]

Great Video ➥ World record-holding sailor Jon Sanders blames 'huge, confused swell' after rescue off WA coast - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

[monte]

Good story, glad he's safe n sound. Sounds like a good call to hit the button. It's a pity the rescue videos always look like mild conditions.

Renowned Australian sailor Jon Sanders has blamed the once-in-a-decade swell impacting the West Australian coast for sinking his yacht Saturday night, sparking a rescue operation.

The world-record holding sailor was skippering a vessel for a friend from Darwin to Fremantle when it started taking on water about 10 kilometres off the coast of Kalbarri.

Mr Sanders activated his EPIRB device for help, attracting the attention of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which sent out a rescue plane and two merchant vessels.

Mr Sanders was recovered safe and well by a Mid West-based vessel and is resting in Geraldton after making landfall just before 5:00am.

He said the seas were extremely rough, punching a hole in the deck of the yacht.

"It looked like two skin fittings had come away leaving two holes," he said.

"I blocked it first with a screwdriver and rags, then tried soft wooden plugs but couldn't do that.


PHOTO: Deckhand Jesse Bailey (l) and boat master Lance Dennis rescued John Sanders (c) after his yacht started taking on water off WA's Gascoyne coast. (ABC News: Bonnie Christian)
"Eventually I got two bolts in it with a special putty that sets in water and that seemed to hold it, so I put my emergency pump in that bay. That removed the water but it was also coming from elsewhere.

"It was coming in faster than pump could cope — the floorboards were floating.

"Whether I liked it or not, I sent an emergency call out."

He said the ordeal lasted two-and-a-half hours before he was finally rescued.

"Amazing job these guys did — they backed up to the boat and came alongside," he said.

"The footage looks quite mild but the sea was quite confused, very huge and I thought 'Geez, I don't know how they're going to do this, I'll probably get on board with a broken arm or leg or something'. I'm pretty lucky."

'Grey nomad' still sailing at 75

Lance Dennis, the master of the rescuing boat, said he was getting ready to have dinner when he heard Mr Sanders distress call.

"The initial reports was that he was only a kilometre off the cliffs, which would have been fatal as far as I was concerned, if he had of washed in," he said.

"But luckily when we got closer he was a bit further out."

Mr Sanders is best known for breaking world records in 1988 when he completed a triple circumnavigation of the world alone.

Twenty-seven years later, at the age of 75, he is still sailing and has completed nine journeys around the world.


PHOTO: The sinking yacht sailor Jon Sanders was rescued from off WA's Gascoyne coast. (Supplied: Lance Dennis)
His record for sailing round the world three times solo is still unbroken.

Mr Sanders regularly sails boats across the Australian bight for clients. He said he had not experienced any trouble at sea of this magnitude.

"I have had little bits of trouble like when engines fail, sails blown out, but nothing like that," he said.

Despite his ordeal, Mr Sanders said he was not deterred from sailing but would take extra precautions next time.

"I think it's about time this grey nomad bought a car and a tent and went through the middle of Australia, instead of around of Australia," he said.

[robert.]

All of the info on the SPOT system looks good. Has anyone had any experience with them?

[boatman61]

Been using Spot a few years now.. Hit the red button and it alerts ALL rescue services worldwide...
Keeps going till you run out off Triple A batteries.. unlike the EPIRB which has a limited life..

[onestepcsy37]

Been using Spot about 5 years. Great for keeping family and friends up to date. Good for wherever it has coverage.
But I also have an epirb. It is purpose built for one particular job with worldwide coverage and recognized by rescue services everywhere. When my butt is on the line I accept no substitutes.

[Steadman Uhlich]

I like the title of this thread: "It can happen to anyone."

The sailor in this case is very experienced (9 circumnavigations).

The rescue in this case is well done (quickly, no injuries).

The use of an EPIRB in this case, by a very experienced sailor, is noteworthy too, in that some people writing on the forum apparently think only inexperienced or incompetent sailors call for help by starting an EPIRB.
______________

What follows is in no way meant to disrespect the sailor in this case. I have a lot of respect for him.
______________

What interests me is what could have caused the "two holes" by the "skin fittings" that would sink the boat.

In the words of the sailor:

"It looked like two skin fittings had come away leaving two holes," he said.

"I blocked it first with a screwdriver and rags, then tried soft wooden plugs but couldn't do that.

Because the sea state was mentioned in the news report as confused and heavy swell, I suspect the boat was pounding in the seas, and I suspect that the pounding caused a failure of something, but what and why?

My Guess? Perhaps a depth sounder transducer (skin fitting) popped out due to the pounding?

What do you folks think would pop out leaving a hole or two holes?

[transmitterdan]

The boat was fairly high in the water when he stepped off according to the video posted online. Do we know for a fact that the boat sank?

[TOT]

Thank God and others that he is ok.

Great video of the rescue 👍


SV TOT
Wayne 😃

[GILow]

I have nothing but respect for this man. And seeing how neatly he presented the boat for rescue only reinforces that respect. Reefed main, tightly furled foresail. Ship shape and Bristol fashion to the end. Puts a lump in my throat, really, it does.

Matt


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