Westsail 32 "Blue Mist" Grounded on Rocks

[justjohn]

It was the Mermaid he was checking out. I hate the Mermaids. Dang near got me once! Never again. Just glad he lived to tell the story.

[johnmcntsh]

You would need a HUGE crane to make that lift if I am interpreting the distance correctly. Would have to be a crawler crane and would need Huge boom and huge counterweight.

[cburger]

I couldn't take all the conjecture in this thread anymore so I reached out to the reporter who wrote the story to inquire as to the status with "Blue Mist" here is his response:

Last I heard plan was to patch the "soccer ball"-sized hole, refloat at high tide and use motor power to complete trip to Morro Bay. Don't know at this point if that happened or not.

-Bert

Reporter has indicated that he will keep me updated, lets hope the skipper is successful in his attempt to get her off.

[Coops]

Have to admire your optimism. Trying to get facts from a reporter.

Coops.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by cburger

I couldn't take all the conjecture in this thread anymore so I reached out to the reporter who wrote the story to inquire as to the status with "Blue Mist" here is his response:

Last I heard plan was to patch the "soccer ball"-sized hole, refloat at high tide and use motor power to complete trip to Morro Bay. Don't know at this point if that happened or not.

-Bert

Reporter has indicated that he will keep me updated, lets hope the skipper is successful in his attempt to get her off.

Hmmm.... that missing rudder may make this proposed trip a bit difficult, but I too wish him good fortune. I wouldn't want to make book on his success, though!

Jim

[cburger]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Hmmm.... that missing rudder may make this proposed trip a bit difficult, but I too wish him good fortune. I wouldn't want to make book on his success, though!

Jim

That's what jury rigging is for

[highseas]

Probably a tow.I can't imagine getting flooded,now rusty motor going on site.

[Richard5]

He went aground on a flooding tide which at the approximate time of grounding was about 5.00. There are only a few tides of that height left in this month. Yes, they present a window of opportunity to refloat her but it will be against any wind, current, or wave action. Then there is the worry of further damage incurred by the effort. It will be something to watch. Perhaps S/V Third Day can play hookie for the morning to be eyes on site.

I appreciate the inquiry made by Cburger but journalists are hardly the bastions of fact and truth. Perhaps the Morro Bay Harbor Patrol has been informed of the plan and can better advise. For that matter, maybe Associated Divers (commercial marine engineers/contractors) would be a source for information. Also, the North Coast Ocean Rescue is composed of volunteers. They love this stuff. A child stubs a toe on the beach and they are there. So I imagine they will be on scene for the attempt. They have a Face Book page.

Paging S/V Third Day.

[Richard5]

So far it has been mentioned she has a 'volley ball-sized hole' or a 'soccer ball-sized hole'. I am dismayed that a 'water polo ball-sized hole' hasn't been mentioned. All three are very close to the same size. Of course, water polo is THE premier sport. That is neither conjecture, exaggeration, or bias.

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Richard5

So far it has been mentioned she has a 'volley ball-sized hole' or a 'soccer ball-sized hole'. I am dismayed that a 'water polo ball-sized hole' hasn't been mentioned. All three are very close to the same size. Of course, water polo is THE premier sport. That is neither conjecture, exaggeration, or bias.

However, the soccer ball sized hole will allow huge water ingress if not effectively patched. Spring tides are coming, there may be a window for floating her, but as we don't have a clue as to what other damage she has, we haven't much to go on as to possible successful re-floating.
Ann

[captain58sailin]

Maybe you deflate a soccer ball slightly and put it in the hole and reinflate, to stop the ingress of water.

[lazystar]

I looked at Blue Mist to possibly buy her about 2 years ago. She needed a LOT of work…but was a solidly built Westsail 32. The saddest part of the story is that this guy bought her only a day or so before this incident. Very , very sad indeed. I HOPE he had insurance.

[Richard5]

I called the Cambrian newspaper this morning. The only information they have is the boat was 'crained out' on Wednesday. The disposition of the boat is not known.

[endoftheroad]

We need more info please!!!!!

[Richard5]

Originally Posted by endoftheroad

We need more info please!!!!!

I feel the same way as you.

I am awaiting return calls from a volunteer org ( Piedras Blancas Light Station - Home ) and the Bureau of Land Management, a federal agency for those who don't know. Apparently the BLM now manages the land. The PBLHS had staff on scene during the recovery.