RNLI/CG assist yacht

[NorthUp]

I cannot think of any witty comments... just read on-

http://claremont.islandblogging.co.uk/2009/10/28/rescue-of-yacht-in-mill-bay-of-stronsay/

 

[Fire99]

'Meticulous' springs to mind.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

Quote:"Day-to-day events in the Fletcher family household on Stronsay, Orkney"

and I thought nothing much happened in Orkney. Great credit to the RNLI and CG helicopter.

Moral: always attach a spring to the anchor chain so that the windlass doesnt take the loadings

 

[trapezeartist]

An interesting, not to mention long, tale. Everyone seems to come out of it with great credit. Just one concern: was the yacht putting all the anchor loads through the windlass? Perhaps a snubber would have saved the windlass mounting, and in the prevailing conditions it might have been wise to find a way to distribute the loads between two or three strong points.

 

[Kelpie]

Naive question...
if they were able to motor into the wind after losing the 2nd anchor, why couldn't they have run the motor to take some strain off the anchor and stop it dragging, rather than having to ditch the anchor entirely?

(I presume this is an idea that might work in theory but would have practical problems?)

 

[oldfatgit]

Think the master and crew of the yacht did well. Emergency services, as ever, did very well. Just wonder, though, if they shouldn't have set storm jib and tri-sail rather than allow their sails to be "ripped to shreds" (assuming they had them). Then, on closing the shore, run the engine (even with assumed low fuel) to keep GPS going to enable a better anchorage or harbour to be reached.

I've only set storm sails once, in a flat calm whilst alongside, but I have them and know how to set them and would do so if found myself out in a F9 particularly if my foresail and main were damaged.

Having said that, easy from here in my living room, in an arm chair with a G&T at my elbow.

 

[Searush]

Naive question...
if they were able to motor into the wind after losing the 2nd anchor, why couldn't they have run the motor to take some strain off the anchor and stop it dragging, rather than having to ditch the anchor entirely?

(I presume this is an idea that might work in theory but would have practical problems?)

From the report, it sounds like the windlass failed unexpectedly & catastrophically. They had not been expecting that - it is easy afterwards - with 20/20 hindsight to see it might have been a problem. But would you have volunteered to go on the foredeck regularly to check it? Most of us would stay below with a cup of hot coffee or something stronger, hoping it will blow itself out sooon! But there are possible lessons there.

The second anchor would probably be a kedge & therefore probably lighter than the bower & with shorter & lighter chain. Motoring may not have helped it very much.