Rescue from 'Octagon'

[Skysail]

Mike and Barbara Arnold were rescued from their M376 'Octagon' after a steering failure in an Atlantic gale earlier this year, and there was coverage of the rescue in BBC1 programme 'Real Rescues' which was shown at 11.00am today.

It can be seen on iPlayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00wclf2/Real_Rescues_Series_6_Episode_2/

- coverage starts about 2 minutes in, then continues at 13 minutes and at 28 minutes.

Scary stuff, great skill by the tanker crew.

 

[Searush]

I was interested to hear that they could still steer with the autohelm (up to a point) but not with the tiller.

So was it only a tiller break or the cables to the wheel that had parted? I presume the rudder must have still been moveable by the autohelm. I know cameras make seas look a lot less than they actually are, but I would be surprised if Octagon didn't come ashore in one piece at some point. She was supposed to be taking on water, but wasn't low in the water & there was no water visible sloshing about below.

 

[VO5]

I was interested to hear that they could still steer with the autohelm (up to a point) but not with the tiller.

So was it only a tiller break or the cables to the wheel that had parted? I presume the rudder must have still been moveable by the autohelm. I know cameras make seas look a lot less than they actually are, but I would be surprised if Octagon didn't come ashore in one piece at some point. She was supposed to be taking on water, but wasn't low in the water & there was no water visible sloshing about below.

I speak from experience.

Yes, a vessel that has lost its steering can still be steered using the Autohelm if the steering is wire. This is because the Autohelm acts on an arm clamped on to the rudder stock. The Autohelm in that respect is independent to the wires, is the reason. That is why carrying an emergency tiller is mandatory on passages out of sight of land, and particularly ocean passages.
Therefore well found ocean going yachts have provision for using an emergency tiller in case the wheel steering fails.The rudder stock has a square cut at the top which is accessed via a small circular steel cover on deck. Through this opening the emergency tiller is then seated, thus replacing the original steering arrangement.

There is another alternative.

The quadrant around the stock is blocked in the midships position using whatever is available. Then two lines trailing a drogue, or a bucket or even a tyre can be manipulated using the sheet winches to cant her in the most comfortable heading during drift, these lines being led aft through blocks attached to the stern cleats.

Another option in the absence of an emergency tiller is to trail a drogue using a brace, to keep her going in the direction of the wind and sea.

The source of the leak could be traced and then dealt with, and the vessel saved.

 

[VO5]

Incidentally, I always carry one kilo of two part epoxy putty on board and an assortment of soft wooden plugs.

These plugs are available as an assortment.

Make sure that the plugs you have FIT...its no good having plugs that DON't FIT even if it means you have to go over the side with a hammer to drive them in.

 

[stuhaynes]

I know cameras make seas look a lot less than they actually are, but I would be surprised if Octagon didn't come ashore in one piece at some point. She was supposed to be taking on water, but wasn't low in the water & there was no water visible sloshing about below.

Mike Arnold was convinced that 'OCTAGON' was 1000 metres down when asked in an interview afterwards. As I understand it they were on the home leg of a round the world cruise and so, clearly, experienced sailors. It's hard to imagine a 'Mayday' call unless he felt that the vessel and its occupants were in mortal danger. There was also the weather forecast which was for 'more of the same' during the following 4-5 days. I'm sure that he must have been broken hearted to make that call.
There is no doubt that 'PRINCESS', the rescuing vessel (11,000 tonnes?) showed excellent seamanship in meeting the yacht, as did Mike Arnold in managing to get back to the tanker under very difficult circumstances.
The crew of 'PRINCESS' also showed very quick thinking in hauling up the rope ladder where Mike's wife was stuck with eyes closed waiting to be crushed by 'OCTAGON' as she rode back up a wave. Scary stuff...