2 Killed in boating accident
- Thread starter Fire99
- Start date
happyboater69
Well-Known Member
Dreadful, why were they out in a 20ft swell.
It is a tragic accident but it COULD have been avoided, the lifboat staition was trying to radio them as they went through the harbour to tell them how dangerous it was but got no response which means no radio watch was being kept.
It is a tragic accident but it COULD have been avoided, the lifboat staition was trying to radio them as they went through the harbour to tell them how dangerous it was but got no response which means no radio watch was being kept.
Tekkie
Well-Known Member
Already reported here http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1658669/an/0/page/0/gonew/1#UNREAD
Sneds
Well-Known Member
Absolutely awfull!
Very sad, nearly been there myself... but for the grace of God?
Why oh why did they leave in those conditions? Getting caught out is one thing, but choosing to go?
Dreadful shame. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Very sad, nearly been there myself... but for the grace of God?
Why oh why did they leave in those conditions? Getting caught out is one thing, but choosing to go?
Dreadful shame. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Seven Spades
Well-Known Member
3 Dead now. It's hard to imagine the stupidity of going out in such conditions in such a a small boat. What a terrible time the families are going to have this Christmas.
This kind of incident is the sort of thing that will make politicians start to interfere with out sport.
This kind of incident is the sort of thing that will make politicians start to interfere with out sport.
Take5
Well-Known Member
What a terrible thing to happen. God bless them all.
As someone new to boating I am presuming it should have been blatantly obvious that the sea was going to be as rough as it was, or can you be caught out that easily?
I have to admit this as knocked me for six and scared me somewhat.
As someone new to boating I am presuming it should have been blatantly obvious that the sea was going to be as rough as it was, or can you be caught out that easily?
I have to admit this as knocked me for six and scared me somewhat.
[2068]
...
It should have been obvious from the weather forecast plus local knowledge of the implications of that forecast.
Any big breaking waves or surf is going to be bad news for a small motorboat.
Very sad result, though /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
dv.
Any big breaking waves or surf is going to be bad news for a small motorboat.
Very sad result, though /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
dv.
aquaholic
Well-Known Member
A liitle more information from HM Coastguard:
Maritime & Coastguard Agency
Press Notice No: 377/.07
Friday, November 23, 2007
Posted 14:01 GMT
CABIN CRUISER OVERTURNS IN HORRENDOUS CONDITIONS
Humber Coastguard are currently co-ordinating assistance to an overturned cabin cruiser Last Call which left Whitby Harbour earlier this morning in horrendous sea conditions.
A call was received at just after 12.15 am which reported concerns by Whitby lifeboat personnel that the small cabin cruiser with three people on board was leaving the harbour in rough sea conditions producing waves of 20 to 30 foot just outside the harbour wall.
Shortly afterwards, and around 50 to 100 foot out from the harbour wall, the vessel was overturned in those rough seas. An emergency call was made to the Coastguard by a female on board. From a visual sighting from the harbour wall a person was seen struggling in the water who was wearing a lifejacket.
A further report from an off duty policeman on the sea wall suggested that there was a further person in the water directly between the walls whilst the one seen earlier was drifting out to sea, although it was difficult in the swell and spray to see those individuals. They were described to be struggling in the swell and in serious difficulties.
The Coastguard immediately requested the use of a rescue helicopter and the Whitby lifeboat was also launched. The Whitby Coastguard Rescue Team were also deployed to the east pier.
Two men were recovered from the water 100 yards from the West pier fairly soon after and the rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield airlifted a female from the water directly to James Cook hospital.
The whole area has now been taped off and people directed away due to the deteriorating weather conditions.
The two males after being worked on at the lifeboat station by paramedics were taken to hospital by road and air ambulances.
Mike Bill, Rescue Co-ordination Centre Manager at Humber Coastguard said:
We do not understand why these people went out in such conditions and they are clearly paying a price for their actions. We can only warn again that the sea is a killer and that in these very rough conditions individuals must be aware of the risks that they take when approaching or going out on the sea. We would like to particularly praise the lifeboat personnel at Whitby for alerting the authorities to the sea conditions, the passage of the vessel and the unfolding incident.
Posted By: Mark Clark
For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401
Maritime & Coastguard Agency
Press Notice No: 377/.07
Friday, November 23, 2007
Posted 14:01 GMT
CABIN CRUISER OVERTURNS IN HORRENDOUS CONDITIONS
Humber Coastguard are currently co-ordinating assistance to an overturned cabin cruiser Last Call which left Whitby Harbour earlier this morning in horrendous sea conditions.
A call was received at just after 12.15 am which reported concerns by Whitby lifeboat personnel that the small cabin cruiser with three people on board was leaving the harbour in rough sea conditions producing waves of 20 to 30 foot just outside the harbour wall.
Shortly afterwards, and around 50 to 100 foot out from the harbour wall, the vessel was overturned in those rough seas. An emergency call was made to the Coastguard by a female on board. From a visual sighting from the harbour wall a person was seen struggling in the water who was wearing a lifejacket.
A further report from an off duty policeman on the sea wall suggested that there was a further person in the water directly between the walls whilst the one seen earlier was drifting out to sea, although it was difficult in the swell and spray to see those individuals. They were described to be struggling in the swell and in serious difficulties.
The Coastguard immediately requested the use of a rescue helicopter and the Whitby lifeboat was also launched. The Whitby Coastguard Rescue Team were also deployed to the east pier.
Two men were recovered from the water 100 yards from the West pier fairly soon after and the rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield airlifted a female from the water directly to James Cook hospital.
The whole area has now been taped off and people directed away due to the deteriorating weather conditions.
The two males after being worked on at the lifeboat station by paramedics were taken to hospital by road and air ambulances.
Mike Bill, Rescue Co-ordination Centre Manager at Humber Coastguard said:
We do not understand why these people went out in such conditions and they are clearly paying a price for their actions. We can only warn again that the sea is a killer and that in these very rough conditions individuals must be aware of the risks that they take when approaching or going out on the sea. We would like to particularly praise the lifeboat personnel at Whitby for alerting the authorities to the sea conditions, the passage of the vessel and the unfolding incident.
Posted By: Mark Clark
For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401
jezjez
Well-Known Member
Take 5, everyone who goes to sea should be scared. That way you prepare correctly for any eventuality including knowing your limitations. Yopu are right to be scared - not terrified but scared into caution.
That means staying within a distance to retreat home if the weather turns foul. And keeping a continuous update of the weather report with you.
Mostly, commonsense must prevail. When it does, our sport is largely pretty safe.
I tend to say to people that going sailing is like going out walking in the hills on a lovely summer's day, but that you never know when that might change to mountaineering in a blizzard. So you have to be prepared for it. Personally I only like hill walking!
That means staying within a distance to retreat home if the weather turns foul. And keeping a continuous update of the weather report with you.
Mostly, commonsense must prevail. When it does, our sport is largely pretty safe.
I tend to say to people that going sailing is like going out walking in the hills on a lovely summer's day, but that you never know when that might change to mountaineering in a blizzard. So you have to be prepared for it. Personally I only like hill walking!
Stoaty
Well-Known Member
I wonder if alcohol is involved in this sad tragedy. It is completely irrational.
pheran
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I am presuming it should have been blatantly obvious that the sea was going to be as rough as it was, or can you be caught out that easily?
[/ QUOTE ] Clearly we shouldn't prejudge the outcome of official enquiries into this tragedy but on the face of it even the most basic precautions don't seem to have been taken. One I always adopt where practical (and it usually is) is to go and take a look at the water I intend heading out into. Only takes a few minutes and since this boat was lost less than 100 feet from the harbour wall, it would have been obvious what sea conditions they would encounter.
I am presuming it should have been blatantly obvious that the sea was going to be as rough as it was, or can you be caught out that easily?
[/ QUOTE ] Clearly we shouldn't prejudge the outcome of official enquiries into this tragedy but on the face of it even the most basic precautions don't seem to have been taken. One I always adopt where practical (and it usually is) is to go and take a look at the water I intend heading out into. Only takes a few minutes and since this boat was lost less than 100 feet from the harbour wall, it would have been obvious what sea conditions they would encounter.
hlb
RIP
I would think, this is exactly what they did, but once they saw how bad it was, were unable to turn in the narrow enterance, so were forced into going outside, to turn round.
ari
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
What a terrible thing to happen. God bless them all.
As someone new to boating I am presuming it should have been blatantly obvious that the sea was going to be as rough as it was, or can you be caught out that easily?
I have to admit this as knocked me for six and scared me somewhat.
[/ QUOTE ]
If, as reported, there were 30ft waves then yes, it should have been immediately and blatantly obvious that conditions were way beyond even "unsuitable".
Hard to understand what happened here, but this isn't a "normal" caught out situation and it's not something you could unwittingly stumble into so I wouldn't worry from a point of whether you could easily make the same mistake. I don't see that, sensibly, you could.
What a terrible thing to happen. God bless them all.
As someone new to boating I am presuming it should have been blatantly obvious that the sea was going to be as rough as it was, or can you be caught out that easily?
I have to admit this as knocked me for six and scared me somewhat.
[/ QUOTE ]
If, as reported, there were 30ft waves then yes, it should have been immediately and blatantly obvious that conditions were way beyond even "unsuitable".
Hard to understand what happened here, but this isn't a "normal" caught out situation and it's not something you could unwittingly stumble into so I wouldn't worry from a point of whether you could easily make the same mistake. I don't see that, sensibly, you could.
Gludy
Well-Known Member
I have just videoed Whitby harbour so at least understand the layout.
I am really struggling to make sense of what happened here.
It is a well protected harbour but even so it must have been very obviuos the conditions were deplorable. I would not have gone out in an 80 footer in those conditions.
At 24 foot it was a small boat and surely could have turned within the harbour once they saw a bit outside?
I am really struggling to make sense of what happened here.
It is a well protected harbour but even so it must have been very obviuos the conditions were deplorable. I would not have gone out in an 80 footer in those conditions.
At 24 foot it was a small boat and surely could have turned within the harbour once they saw a bit outside?
pheran
Well-Known Member
You misunderstand me. I would have had a look at the sea conditions BEFORE casting off. It takes very little time to have a gander from a suitable vantage point, in this case perhaps the harbour wall. If you're in unfamiliar waters, it can also provide the opportunity for a quick chat with the locals who will probably know of any particular features or dangers.
MapisM
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
can you be caught out that easily?
[/ QUOTE ]Not that easily, but you actually never know, once you're out there.
Even in this case, maybe the difference between capsizing - with the related extreme consequences - and returning home safely could have been just a matter of turning a few seconds in advance, or a few seconds later. Or to port rather than to stbd, or the other way round.
And in that case, nobody would have known, let alone commenting that they were asking for troubles...
...though for what can be read about the accident, I can only imagine one situation where I would have considered going at sea in those conditions: trying to save someone else, in the event that nobody else more capable/organized would have been available.
Which doesn't seem to be the case.
can you be caught out that easily?
[/ QUOTE ]Not that easily, but you actually never know, once you're out there.
Even in this case, maybe the difference between capsizing - with the related extreme consequences - and returning home safely could have been just a matter of turning a few seconds in advance, or a few seconds later. Or to port rather than to stbd, or the other way round.
And in that case, nobody would have known, let alone commenting that they were asking for troubles...
...though for what can be read about the accident, I can only imagine one situation where I would have considered going at sea in those conditions: trying to save someone else, in the event that nobody else more capable/organized would have been available.
Which doesn't seem to be the case.
Nautical
Well-Known Member
Yet you will find some willing to have a go in gale force conditions in small powerboats and how much fun it can be, ya de ya de ya bang on about experience and can be safe if you know what you are doing, cobblers! you can never tell what the sea will do, its a dangerous place at times and demands respect, you can go out in bad conditions nine times and have a whale of a time the tenth might be one time too many, go out in bad conditions and by default you are taking a greater risk than is nessacary. having had the bejesus scared of me and got away with it (just) it focuses one's mind a little more. Yes I did everything right, long standing 25 yrs experience, all the right equipment well founded boat but it all went pear shaped so fast you wouldn't believe it unless you had experienced it, I was out of my depth full stop.
I'll await a pasting from some quarters but small boats - big seas.....it aint worth it.
I'll await a pasting from some quarters but small boats - big seas.....it aint worth it.
[2068]
...
>small boats - big seas.....it aint worth it
The key to this is the term "pleasure" boating. Imho, there's nothing pleasurable about being seriously scared and wishing you were in the marina.
Bouncing around in the chop and pushing yourself a little is one thing. Taking on large breaking waves is something else, and hats off to the lifeboats that have to go out in those conditions (and very occasionally end up capsizing themselves!)
dv.
The key to this is the term "pleasure" boating. Imho, there's nothing pleasurable about being seriously scared and wishing you were in the marina.
Bouncing around in the chop and pushing yourself a little is one thing. Taking on large breaking waves is something else, and hats off to the lifeboats that have to go out in those conditions (and very occasionally end up capsizing themselves!)
dv.
ari
Well-Known Member
I always try to take a view on the weather in terms of not whether I think the boat can cope with it, but whether the boat (and indeed I) can cope with it if something goes wrong, plus of course depending on the passage length, a reserve for weather/sea conditions getting worse.
I've heard the "hero stories" of people crossing the channel in very bad sea conditions. "Oh yes, we were shipping tons of water over the flybridge the whole way, waves 20ft high, but the old girl coped remarkably." Yeah great, what if the old grl caughht a rope around the props and lost all power? Turns beam on in a huge rolling sea. What then skip? Or what if it had got worse half way across?
People often tend to view the limitations of their boat on the assumption that all will remain working or running perfectly. What if it all goes quiet though?
I've heard the "hero stories" of people crossing the channel in very bad sea conditions. "Oh yes, we were shipping tons of water over the flybridge the whole way, waves 20ft high, but the old girl coped remarkably." Yeah great, what if the old grl caughht a rope around the props and lost all power? Turns beam on in a huge rolling sea. What then skip? Or what if it had got worse half way across?
People often tend to view the limitations of their boat on the assumption that all will remain working or running perfectly. What if it all goes quiet though?
Nautical
Well-Known Member
I'd agree and pleasure boating can also be having a bit of a thrash around in some lumpy stuff, its fun and in proportion safe enough, the difference comes when the boat / skipper start to get past their design / ability limits. No one not even those experienced hereabouts ever think that <u>their</u> abilities are not comensurate with the conditions they set out in, coroners reports are full of such assumptions by those unfortunate enough to find themselves out of their depth.