Posted on 06/17/2010 5:27:33 AM PDT by DJ MacWoW
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea was first adopted in 1914 in response to the Titanic disaster. Along with mandating the number of lifeboats and the notification of a ship's routes, it also dictates that any ship in the area of a distress call will divert to assist that ship.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.myway.com ...
Thank God she is safe. Semper Fi.
Posted by laconic, Free Republic. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2534683/posts?page=56
When both navigation systems inevitably failed Abby stopped in Cape town to replace them. Her Father flew down to help. As well as replacing the navigation system he helped with repairs. Rather than wait for a cradle at the boat yard to hoist the boat out to repair a scratch in the hull, they did the most boneheaded and dangerous repair you can do on a sailboat. They tied a rope to the top of the mast and using leverage pulled the boat over to expose the hull (photos on Abby's blog Thursday May 13). I have seen masts snap when this has been tried and the fact that her mast later broke might not be coincidental.That action creates enormous stress on the mast and deck fittings. It is something you do on hobby-cats and small sailboats, not on a 40 foot boat if there are any alternatives. Again, incompetence, rushing and ignorance setting her up for failure. Posted by laconic, Free Republic. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2534683/posts?page=56
The trouble with that concept is such rescues might then become a “feeding frenzy”. Still, if such hazardous sails become like Mt Everest expeditions did — commonplace, yes, I think that limits, bond fees, or insurance bonds should be set.
Such sails are not common.
I posted the thread about The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1914 and how it came into being. There are posters that didn't know about it. I cannot direct discussion. If you don't like the discussion, the wise thing to do is retire to a thread that you do like instead of beating on people for a discussion you disapprove of.
Freedom comes with responsibility.
When people act irresponsibly, the inevitable result is the loss of freedom for everyone.
If you treasure freedom, then you must advocate responsible behavior.
Feeding frenzy? You really think there will be people who are chomping at the bits to get into a winter storm in the Southern Ocean?
Asking the parents to foot the bill is hardly “over-reaction”. And it’s not the over-reaction that’s the problem, it’s the irresponsible behavior.
Boaters are rescued from calm seas too.
I guess I missed the call for regulation. Instead, what is needed is a reinstatement of responsibility. The Law of Consequences is all that’s needed here. You will get rescued but it will cost you if your conduct was reckless and the trouble foreseeable.
>>>> "I have seen masts snap when this has been tried and the fact that her mast later broke might not be coincidental.That action creates enormous stress on the mast and deck fittings. It is something you do on hobby-cats and small sailboats, not on a 40 foot boat if there are any alternatives. Again, incompetence, rushing and ignorance setting her up for failure." <<<<
That poor child!!!!!!!
And who judges that? Reactionary hysteria to singular events makes for bad judgment and worse law.
I suspect there are very few around here who Know The Whole Story better than he.
Honestly, I haven’t been following it, and the first I heard of her was her EPIRB was going off.
Yes, I voyage with an EPIRB. Absolutely. But I also sail a 48’ steel boat that is extremely rugged, I only sail the ocean routes during the optimum time of year, I carry back up comms not reliant on the mast (a handheld orbcomm), enough flares from pop ups to 25mm for ten yachts, a top raft and hand operated water maker, etc etc etc.
Mainly, I don’t go into areas/seasons known to be 90% gales and huge waves. Like the Southern Ocean in winter.
Neither does any other responsible sailor.
I’ve made all my voyages with no fuss and no muss, and no EPIRBs activated. And if I was dismasted, I’d jury cut away and jury rig, and not just push the button.
Aside from your own high latitude voyages (in summer I’ll add!) the fact that Gambo has for years now been traveling to Arctic regions speaks very well for her designer and builder!
By all means, set out for the Southern Ocean in winter! You're obviously ready!
If daredevils want to pull stunts like windsurfing naked to Antarctica, sailing from Capetown to Australia in winter, or walking barefoot across the Sahara with one canteen of water, I say more power to them!
Go for it!
Just don’t take an EPIRB. Then you will have all of our respect when you make it. And if not....
Do you Know the Whole Story?
If you did, you would know that Abby’s quest for the “record” was due to start July/August 2010 which would allow for relatively smooth passage of the Southern route.
When they learned another young lady, Jessica Watson, left Australia in October, 2009 they had to rush to acquire a boat (which by the way had done a circumnavigation) and outfit it. It was a rushed, hurried situation. The boat wasn’t fully painted and outfitted until mid-December. She only did one over night, no shakedown, no real experience with that particular boat.
It was a bad choice of equipment (chosen most likely because it would not sink) and terrible timing so that she would beat Jessica if she made it.
If she had waited until her original departure date and given up on the nebulous “record” we would all be cheering her effort. Questions would remain about the wisdom of a 16-17 y/o doing it alone and her personal experience and qualifications but at least it wouldn’t be rushed in the futile quest for fleeting fame and possible fortune.
But this is a craven fraud.
It strikes me as the equivalent (in Arizona) of my sending my daughter out to hike the AZ/Mexican border, to become the ‘youngest person to hike the MX/AZ border’ - AND doing it in summer, because waiting for winter would cost her the record.
And wanting her to do it with minimal water, because water jugs aren’t available in time, etc.
Stupid. And stupid is not heroic. Just stupid.
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