William_H
Well-known member
Tragically we had a drowning on the Swan River last Sunday. A new crew (he had answered an ad in the paper) fell overboard during a practice spinnaker run. By the time they turned around and found him he did not respond to resuscitation.
The boat was called an S80 an 8 metre sports cruiser part of a very competitive class fleet. They were doing preseason training about 2Nm from their club. The weather was gusty to about 30knots with a gale warning in force. It was not cold but internmittent showers so I imagine he was wearing spray jacket and trousers. Sailors on these sheltered waters don't usually wear life jackets as most people can swim well and the water is not cold mostly they wear light clothing. In hind sight of course it was an excellent day to wear a life jacket especially when playing with spinnakers. I cancelled on the race that day although most of our club sailed.
It was a tragedy for his family (2 kids) and of course awefull for the skipper a very experienced and successfull racer. So we live and learn I think the dozen or so clubs in the area will be promoting lifejackets danbouys more in future. Don't forget finding the victim in MOB is often the biggest problem. regards will
<hr width=100% size=1>
The boat was called an S80 an 8 metre sports cruiser part of a very competitive class fleet. They were doing preseason training about 2Nm from their club. The weather was gusty to about 30knots with a gale warning in force. It was not cold but internmittent showers so I imagine he was wearing spray jacket and trousers. Sailors on these sheltered waters don't usually wear life jackets as most people can swim well and the water is not cold mostly they wear light clothing. In hind sight of course it was an excellent day to wear a life jacket especially when playing with spinnakers. I cancelled on the race that day although most of our club sailed.
It was a tragedy for his family (2 kids) and of course awefull for the skipper a very experienced and successfull racer. So we live and learn I think the dozen or so clubs in the area will be promoting lifejackets danbouys more in future. Don't forget finding the victim in MOB is often the biggest problem. regards will
<hr width=100% size=1>