SNSM lifeboat lost

JumbleDuck

JumbleDuck

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Three SNSM crew members have been lost after their lifeboat capsized in appalling weather of Les Sables-d'Olonne.

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Full story at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48553351
 
They were called out in answer to a fisherman distress signal (Epirb through Cross GrisNez), just a couple of miles from the port. The fisherman is currently missing (+ the fishing boat).
Local friends are reporting a number of SAR helicopters flying all over the area.
 
Oh my, what a terrible outcome.

The official report will make clear what on earth happened out there but inshore conditions in that region can be simply horrendous. 7.5m significant wave height in central Biscay right with max height of 10m. All hell would break loose if they shortened up.

RIP to those three brave souls and deepest condolences to their families and loved ones
 
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Seven Spades said:
They needed a 7 class RNIL lifeboat.
Click to expand...

I don't want this to hijack a very sad thread, but I have to admit, when I read about windows being smashed in on capsize, that was my first thought too, as sad as this is. I don't know much about design of the French lifeboat fleet, but RNLI do design to try and prevent that type of occurence, and Tamar and Severn Class should be capable of withstanding capsizing and breaking windows. No RNLI lifeboats have been lost that way since Penlee in 1981
 
BrendanS said:
I don't want this to hijack a very sad thread, but I have to admit, when I read about windows being smashed in on capsize, that was my first thought too, as sad as this is. I don't know much about design of the French lifeboat fleet, but RNLI do design to try and prevent that type of occurence, and Tamar and Severn Class should be capable of withstanding capsizing and breaking windows. No RNLI lifeboats have been lost that way since Penlee in 1981
Click to expand...

I was wondering if they were a self righting design too...

RIP

PW
 
PilotWolf said:
I was wondering if they were a self righting design too...
Click to expand...

Almost nothing is self-righting if sufficiently swamped.

That said, one would have thought a broken window to be well within the designed survivability envelope. Perhaps a watertight door was defective, damaged, or left open, perhaps something catastrophic happened to the hull or its machinery. All we know for sure is that there were viscous conditions out there...

...probably best to await the official inquiry.
 
PilotWolf said:
I was wondering if they were a self righting design too...
PW
Click to expand...


Definitely self-righting ("autoredressable") but that relies on hull and cabin integrity. Internal flooding will compromise the self-righting capability of any lifeboat whatever its national design.

My heart goes out to the families of the men lost, and also to all the emergency services staff, and others watching from the shore, powerless to help.



What frightening photographs.
 
Lets wait until the reports and technical assessment of the accident before anyone wades in.

Remember there are three grieving families. Speculating about the cause or otherwise shows them a grave disrespect.
 
We are in Sables D’Olonne, having decided to shelter here from the storm. On Friday the conditions in Olona Marina, which is some way up a river and around a bend, very well sheltered, were terrible we saw 42 knots of wind there. We went down to the harbour wall just to look at the sea, which was boiling, huge great breakers racing across the harbour entrance.

As we walked back we saw the lifeboat going out. We were amazed that (a) anyone would be out needing help given the pre warning of the severity of the storm (b) anyone, even the lifeboat, would contemplate going out. We stopped and watched, I have sailed for 60 years and have to say I have never felt such concern for a boat as this. No photo can give you any idea what the conditions were like.

They cleared the harbour entrance but seemed unable to clear the first live of breakers coming in 45 degrees on their starboard bow, they then, I do not know if deliberately, seemed to turn taking the waves on the beam and headed across into the bay towards the beach, then turned again and seemed to clear the first waves. The air was full of spray, and we lost sight of her then, maybe though, that was when she rolled. I am not sure. As we walked down the quay we both kept looking back, but we assumed they had got out, though we had no idea how they would get back in.

One thing not mentioned though which may be relevant to any boat failure, is that this was the old lifeboat, from the early/mid 80’s I am told. Their new lifeboat (I think about 4 years old) was for some reason out of commission, though we saw her moving in the harbour the day before. She was tied up just behind the old boat.

Never, ever doubt the bravery of the lifeboatmen.
 
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