Missing Yacht.

[toyboy]

What am I missing here? There should be an outcry about the search being called off unless everyone knows something I do not understand? These are fit men who are supposed to be in a life raft so why is the search being called off?

 

[Gargleblaster]

What am I missing here? There should be an outcry about the search being called off unless everyone knows something I do not understand? These are fit men who are supposed to be in a life raft so why is the search being called off?

It is a long way offshore and the US SAR only had a last GPS position, not an EPIRB or any other form of beacon. With 6 metre waves a liferaft would be particularly difficult to see even from only a cable away. May have more luck from the air but probably beyond helicopter range. The cost of mounting a SAR operation can often run into millions of US$. For instance the Tony Bullimore rescue in the Southern Ocean cost the Australian taxpayer in excess of one and a quarter million AUD. Sometimes a decision has to be made to not risk SAR personnel and resources on what must appear a fruitless search.

Blondie Hasler believed that anyone who goes ocean sailing should 'die like gentlemen' rather than put others lives at risk.

 

[sailorman]

What am I missing here? There should be an outcry about the search being called off unless everyone knows something I do not understand? These are fit men who are supposed to be in a life raft so why is the search being called off?

http://www.ybw.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?16-Yachting-Monthly-s-Scuttlebutt

 

[benw]

Signed.

 

[wingdiver]

Change.org link found here and signed
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/u-s-coastguard-restart-the-search-for-the-missing-cheeki-rafiki-crew-members?share_id=REqeVRWwaY&utm_campaign=share_button_action_box&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition

 

[toyboy]

http://www.ybw.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?16-Yachting-Monthly-s-Scuttlebutt

Thank you. I have signed. The thread is also very interesting.

 

[toyboy]

Change.org link found here and signed
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/u-s-coastguard-restart-the-search-for-the-missing-cheeki-rafiki-crew-members?share_id=REqeVRWwaY&utm_campaign=share_button_action_box&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition

Thanks. I have signed too.

 

[DavidofMersea]

What am I missing here? There should be an outcry about the search being called off unless everyone knows something I do not understand? These are fit men who are supposed to be in a life raft so why is the search being called off?

I think it likely they are in the life raft somewhere. They knew they were taking water, and could sink, so I am sure they would have prepared the life raft just in case - or am I being naive?

 

[sailorman]

I think it likely they are in the life raft somewhere. They knew they were taking water, and could sink, so I am sure they would have prepared the life raft just in case - or am I being naive?

If so David & we all hope you are correct, my only reservation is that the raft is too big being a 12 man raft with 4 up. it will be prone to flipping over being lightly loaded. if it inflated inverted i doubt they could right it

 

[DavidofMersea]

If so David & we all hope you are correct, my only reservation is that the raft is too big being a 12 man raft with 4 up. it will be prone to flipping over being lightly loaded. if it inflated inverted i doubt they could right it

As experienced yachtsmen they will know that and taken ballast, and lots of food

 

[maby]

I think it likely they are in the life raft somewhere. They knew they were taking water, and could sink, so I am sure they would have prepared the life raft just in case - or am I being naive?

The evidence of the PLBs does not point that way, I'm afraid.

 

[alant]

As experienced yachtsmen they will know that and taken ballast, and lots of food

Such as?

I spoke to a guy some time ago, who had to abandon with his mate in North Atlantic. Their liferaft was way too big for just the 2 of them & they got tumbled by the wind for over 3 days. The 12 man, is as described, designed for 12 people, who are the ballast & even then, inversions can happen.

Hopefully, if 12 man, it wasn't stowed in a locker, which with approx 50kg +, would be a b.ugger to get out & deploy.
The BT Challenge yachts had 2 of these in a cockpit 'coffin' & even they were difficult to get out.

 

[Cobra]

News just in - US Coast Guard are to resume their search! Humanity prevails!

 

[Koeketiene]

Some interesting/relevant (/) reading:

http://www.cruisingworld.com/how-to...ighter-arrives?src=soc&dom=fb&con=safebtgweek