Formentera Yachts Aground

[Dave100456]

Just seen this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opDLMzSWOOk
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JOVlbVlkb0
Have I missed comment; looks to have been pretty bad?
Cheers
Dave

 

[jordanbasset]

Does look bad, feel for them

 

[BigJoe]

That's devastating, hope everyone is OK.

Bothe videos are from Cala Saona, Formentera, can be up to 150 boats anchored in August, on any given day.

 

[nortada]

For those whose internet doesn't run to you tube is there a narrative somewhere that can be accessed easily?

 

[RupertW]

For those whose internet doesn't run to you tube is there a narrative somewhere that can be accessed easily?

Video 1: Sailing yachts aground within wading distance of people on flat sandy beach. One yacht on rocks on little headland
Video 2: Shot from higher up of similar, with a ketch with full Genny up as wind is now blowing offshore but boat so hard aground on sand that genny won't achieve much
Summary: Ouch, and wonder whether the people were on board when their boats started dragging.

 

[nortada]

Video 1: Sailing yachts aground within wading distance of people on flat sandy beach. One yacht on rocks on little headland
Video 2: Shot from higher up of similar, with a ketch with full Genny up as wind is now blowing offshore but boat so hard aground on sand that genny won't achieve much
Summary: Ouch, and wonder whether the people were on board when their boats started dragging.

Thanks, legged it to a local bar to have a look - not good.

Was this the only anchorage hit?

 

[BigJoe]

Not sure if Saona was the only anchorage hit, its a good anchorage, and extremely busy during the summer, however its exposed to the West. I wasn't following the weather pattern, at the time, but if I was guessing, the wind swung 180 degrees, catching some out.

 

[nortada]

Not sure if Saona was the only anchorage hit, its a good anchorage, and extremely busy during the summer, however its exposed to the West. I wasn't following the weather pattern, at the time, but if I was guessing, the wind swung 180 degrees, catching some out.

How do you define a good anchorage?

My definition is reasonable depth, good holding, good protection from all directions, not too much current and reasonable swinging room.

I admit that most anchorages do not meet all of these criteria so really a case, of given the circumstances, using those you are happy with.

A lunch stop is not the same as overnight or leaving her unattended when returning to the UK.

 

[BigJoe]

Possibly, a great anchorage has the things you mention, where as a good anchorage is missing one of the above.

 

[Bobc]

Good video here

 

[tcm]

sheesh i wouldn’t called Saona a “good anchorage” in any much wind which tend to have W in it thereabouts? The sand is thin over rock. Surely this was forecast and do the usual nipping round another side of the island? Oh well, dang, sympathies etc...

 

[sailaboutvic]

How do you define a good anchorage?

My definition is reasonable depth, good holding, good protection from all directions, not too much current and reasonable swinging room.

I admit that most anchorages do not meet all of these criteria so really a case, of given the circumstances, using those you are happy with.

A lunch stop is not the same as overnight or leaving her unattended when returning to the UK.

If you find one that meet all them criteria please let us all know , the nearest to that is a bath with a toy boat .

 

[svBluePearl]

Surely this was forecast and do the usual nipping round another side of the island? Oh well, dang, sympathies etc...

Yes it was forecast , 30-35Kts from the east , thats why everyone moved to the west side (Saona among others) , it was kinda 'interesting' when right above Saona the wind decided to do a 180 , North first and then from the west and increased to 50+ kts (some said they saw much more) blowing from the west

 

[sailaboutvic]

Its find for us to sit and give our option on what they should and shouldn't had done , BUT when a bunch of boats move from one anchorage to another , it's because they seen the forecaster and know what to expect ,
it's only when what happens isn't what's forecaster like in this case that people get caught out , as we know very well , been there many a times ,
the outcomes depend on lots of factors , ( other boats anchored near by , if they drag or your anchor holds or in some cases , if your luck holds out ) .
I hope the yacht was well insured and no one got hurt .

 

[svBluePearl]

Its find for us to sit and give our option on what they should and shouldn't had done , BUT when a bunch of boats move from one anchorage to another , it's because they seen the forecaster and know what to expect ,
it's only when what happens isn't what's forecaster like in this case that people get caught out , as we know very well , been there many a times ,

Exactly what happened, I think everyone got caught out when the wind suddenly changed right over Saona from 30-35kts from the east to 50+ from the west , even 50kts from the east would have been less 'interesting' as boats would have blown to the sea instead of to the beach

I hope the yacht was well insured and no one got hurt .

the last yacht was removed from the rocks on monday the 14th and towed to a nearby marina, it looked fine but the keel was several meters away in about 2 to 3 meters depth on the rocks close by