RAINMAKER DISMASTED OFF HATTERAS IN GALE

[6924]

didn't another Gunboat lose its rig in Califorbia last year ?

 

[SCANAS]

didn't another Gunboat lose its rig in Califorbia last year ?

Yep two rigs dropped in two million miles, must be a business ending design flaw then?

 

[Glenn McCarthy]

Just saw the USCG Helo Vid on the news winching up one of the guys.

 

[kent_island_sailor]

The MH thread is even worse. They seem to use the same weather routing system as the Bounty did - Look a STORM with WIND AGAINST CURRENT in the GULF STREAM! We have to go there! What could possibly go wrong

Next up I expect them to send a boat over Niagara Falls and then post about "who knew there was a current in that river"

 

[Edith Bicknell]

Take the fumes comment with a grain of salt. I'm sure they know what they are doing and don't often run out of fuel and fall out of the sky.

Anyway, Darwin was ripped off on this one thanks to the USCG. What a dopey decision with the forecasts.

 

[robalex117]

CG press release and video here: http://www.d17.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2454846/

 

[DryArmour]

Props to the patient ones...

I routed a number of boats in the Fall of 2015 from various points in the NE to the Caribbean. On more than one voyage the planned departure date had to be changed due to weather concerns. Not one single owner or delivery skipper balked at the change of plans despite the fact that some of the delivery crew were now unable to make it and the cost of airfares went up. Each and every delivery went flawlessly and the passage time in many cases was reduced by 2-4 days because they were willing to be patient. Many thanks to my clients that make my job less stressful by understanding that venturing out into the Atlantic this time of year is serious business and lives are at stake.

Does anyone know what their intended destination was?

I will be interested to hear what service they used for routing and whether they left port knowing what they were in for. As with all rescues, there are lessons to be learned by all of us. Let's try and make something positive out of their experience.

 

[Peter Johnstone]

This morning's update: Sustained winds were 30-35 knots. Squalls had been in the 40 knot range for most of the day. A full whiteout squall hit that initially looked no different than the other squalls. Sails were up as there was no indication of squalls with winds above 40 knots. A wall of wind hit at up to 70 knots. There was no opportunity to get the sails down. The mast came down with the wall of wind. Am simply relieved these guys are all safe.

 

[TimFordi550#87]

CG press release and video here: http://www.d17.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2454846/

Interesting. So who shot the IR video?

 

[Gypsyclubjuggler]

CG press release and video here: http://www.d17.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2454846/

Interesting. So who shot the IR video?

The C130, I'd imagine: "An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and a C-130 Hercules airplane crew, both from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, were launched at about 3:20 p.m."

 

[Raked Aft\\]

^^ a hovering C-130??

 

[Presuming Ed]

 

[Gypsyclubjuggler]

^^ a hovering C-130??

I don't think C130s can hover mate. They fly around in large slow circles I think.

 

[Raked Aft\\]

^^ a hovering C-130??

I don't think C130s can hover mate. They fly around in large slow circles I think.

Thanks, i knew that, was being sarcastic.

the IR images seem very stationary and close range, not what you would expect from a passing c-130 at stall +1 speed.

 

[davidprobable]

that dismasted catamaran looks a lot more stable than the helicopter. no answer yet as to why abandoned. engine failure? no word. glad no one lost but as previously stated WTF???

 

[vincent.mattiola]

Let's talk about salvage rights of the abandoned vessel. I've got some friends in coastal NC

 

[PeterHuston]

Rainmaker is/was a beautiful boat. I admired her often when she was docked up in Port Washington and loved seeing her sail on the Sound. Looking forwarded to a "spirited" debate here as to the cause.

RAINMAKER UPDATE: Sustained winds were 30-35 knots. Squalls had been in the 40 knot range for most of the day. A full whiteout squall hit that initially looked no different than the other squalls. Sails were up as there was no indication of squalls with winds above 40 knots. A wall of wind hit at up to 70 knots. There was no opportunity to get the sails down. The mast came down with the wall of wind. Am simply relieved these guys are all safe.

 

[MR.CLEAN]

Glad everyone is safely on the ground. We'll get the full story in the morning.

+1 BTW the Coasties don't look too pissed off, you don't suppose they actualy 'live' for this stuff? When you go fishing do you enjoy it less if the fish ain't too bright??

Jus' sayin'

Looks like operator error - or at least "an act of god" for the dismasting.

My guess for the airlift is: owner request combined with a deteriorating forecast, combined with the well-known pressure the USCG puts on you once there. "We're not coming back for you if you EPIRB us again!" has been heard many times.

Knowing the pro captain quite well, I am quite positive he was losing his shit at the prospect of abandoning his boat, and I have zero doubt he will be first aboard when they get out there to salvage. Go get 'em CB.

 

[Edith Bicknell]

Wonder how much sail area was up on a day when they were experiencing several 'full whiteout squalls with 40 knots' such that they couldn't reduce in time.

 

[Owen]

Props to the patient ones...

I routed a number of boats in the Fall of 2015 from various points in the NE to the Caribbean...

Man, you do have this forecasting thing sussed!