2010 Caribbean 1500 Rally

[RTB]

Originally Posted by lynandcheli

Hi All,

I am writing to you on the behalf of Meredith Jordanand Laura Zekoll’s family. We have a very important request of the sailing and boating community.

Meredith Jordan, family and friends will be arriving in to the Abacos tomorrow morning and need some assistance while there. I am acting as their land based liaison to communicate your responses. You can post them on this site or send them to me at lynmidas@aol.com.

Here is what is needed:
1. The family will be staying in Marsh Harbor and we are trying to find out if any cruisers in the area would be willing to assist with the search for Laura. This is only if the conditions are safe as no one wants additional risks to be taken related to Laura.
2. They have limited funds, but are willing to pay fuel charges and for a good local guide to assist with the search.
3. A member recommended that the family consider hiring a plane for a search and/or asking about the possibility of a training exercise from the authorities. Does anyone have a recommendation of a pilot/plane, etc. ?
4. Any other recommendations?
5. Please post this to any other sites/forums that I may not have access to.

Your posts, thoughts and prayers are extremely appreciated by the family.
I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your posts and recommendations to date.
Lyn

Many of us here have followed this from the beginning. This story has moved many, as if family. It is in our nature to speculate, and form an opinion in our minds what went wrong, and how we would have dealt with the circumstances differently. But in the end, everyone seems very sincere in their sorrow.

Perhaps Lyn can get an account from the skipper? The family went to the Bahamas, and returned without Laura. It is so sad that she was never found, but I feel the family has the closure they were looking for. We may not be the immediate family, but we are Rule 62's -and Laura's- sailing family.

Ralph

[kenny chaos]

Originally Posted by kenny chaos

I don't believe this.
I'm outta here.
You and your clique have a nice holiday season and I hope you are able to figure
out what everybody did wrong so you can learn from it but the truth is, you're all wearing blinders.

Well that reads a little harsh. Just a little.
What I really want to say is that internet forums have never progressed beyond being a medium for cliques, self-validation, and one-up-manship.
And now I've seen it true even with the death of someone who's family and friends are watching. Justify it how you will.
My apologies to the family....

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by kenny chaos

Well that reads a little harsh. Just a little.
What I really want to say is that internet forums have never progressed beyond being a medium for cliques, self-validation, and one-up-manship.
And now I've seen it true even with the death of someone who's family and friends are watching. Justify it how you will.
My apologies to the family....

Yup... Harsh is about right mate.. and insensitive..
Maybe you'da been better saying this on a separate new thread..

[skipgundlach]

We just met a boat which had just left Marsh Harbour recently. They've been to the boat, which landed on one of the very few sandy parts of the east side of Lynyard Cay.

Report on Rule 62 is that it's being prepared for shipment back to the states for repair. It has either (at the time they saw it, I don't recall completely from our conversation, which was fluid with another couple speaking separately on other matters) been or is being taken across the island for placement on some form of transport, thence to be shipped. Mast is already out, and keel removed. It appeared that the only notable damage was a couple of holes in the stern, not specified as to severity.

So, apparently the boat is salvageable. I'll ask another of my local contacts up there for more substantive info, if it's available...

L8R

Skip

[marc2012]

Although you couldn't know at the time looks like one of those"stay with the boat".marc

[skipgundlach]

Originally Posted by marc2012

Although you couldn't know at the time looks like one of those"stay with the boat".marc

As seen in my earlier, that's certainly my preference.

However, our source gave another thought: If they were in the cockpit, banging on the reef, every (20-30+ foot) wave would have broken over the boat. Glub, gasp, in pitch dark, wait for the next one. Might have prompted their departure. Me, I'd be below with the hatch batter boards tight and hatch closed.

See Satori's tale of the Perfect Storm for reference...

If the water wasn't up to the countertops, I'd want to be out of the waves!

L8R

Skip, thankful I've not had to make that decision myself...

[speciald@ocens.]

Nancy Ellen, the last of the fleet, is approaching the finish - only 12 miles out at last report by beacon! This is a Catalina 34 with 3 crew that went down the ICW to Beaufort before sailing off-shore. They must be relieved to have finished the passage.

[sck5]

Nancy Ellen is here! I just spoke to them - They are tired but happy to be here.

[RTB]

A Catalina 34, with a crew of 3. Yep, bet they are tired! Congrats to them!

[LEOCAT66]

I find it difficult to assume or believe that the captain and crew did anything less than their best to prevent this tragedy unfolding as it has. My heart and prayers go out to all directly affected by this event, and to all of us who now feel that we knew Laura.

I am new here. That said, I must say that I am somewhat taken aback by the aggressive nature of some of the moderation expressed here. It seems demeaning in some respects.

[skipgundlach]

From a sailnet forum poster:


Rule 62 was salvaged 2 days ago from the Lynyard Key. The boat was Taken to Marsh Harbor and is at the port. There was extensive damage. I will get some pix to post.
__________________
Will, Muffin, Lucy the dog
S/V Antares


L8R

Skip

[Olivia Pearl]

There was a catstrophic event. It is my understanding, and many were told at the candle light vigil, that Rule 62 was hit by a wave, rolled, and the mast went. That may explain the course change, for it looked like they had it for a while.

Originally Posted by btrayfors

Good info, Skip. Thanks.

Of course we're all hoping and praying that Laura will be found safe. But it sure doesn't look good.

Take a look at this track.

Attachment 21166

It looks like they were headed for the North Bar Channel for sure, but some way off they experienced some catastrophic event which caused the boat's track to veer to the SW and directly for the spot it turned up on the reef.

Navigational error? GPS/charting error? Foundering in heavy breaking sea conditions? MOB before they reached the Channel? Lost a rudder?

Whatever happened out there, it looks very much like the boat was not under command as she was sent by the NE winds and breaking seas and currents up on the beach nearly 2/3 mile south of the Channel.

Bill

[Namaste]

Not a frequent poster but just read through this thread and wanted to add my thoughts to Laura and her family. We were one of the three boats that left 24 hours ahead of the fleet in this years 1500. After an extra week at City dock and 1500 events and briefings we were anxious to go as was everyone. I do not have downloadable weather capability on-board yet which is why I travel with the 1500 and in this case I was not going to leave without some "weather" escorts. These became available in the two other boats that left with us. After much consultation we believed the weather window to be favoring our Sunday departure rather than the fleets Monday. In hindsight we were right. A new low formed behind us and spanked the fleet on Monday and Tuesday, causing many of our new friends to seek shelter or have mechanical/overpowering issues. We checked in twice daily on the SSB and heard of Rule 62 diverting. I did not hear reasons why or any help asked for. They did request a consultation with an MD in the fleet. It was always a lady on the radio. We had an easy and fast passage .6.5 days. 20-25 knots wind weakening over the entire passage- I have no hesitation in using diesel as required. I love being out there but I love the g & t at the other end more. It is my opinion that Steve Black and his crew have facilitated in the making of many cruisers dreams come true, safely, professionally and never forgetting the fun. I am already looking forward to the new owners of the 1500 and what they will bring to the future.

[skipgundlach]

If I can figure out how to make multi-megabyte pix go to the web somewhere, I'll post a link, but I have pix of the boat as it's being readied to take across the island, rudder and keel off, hot patched ply over large areas above the keel in the turn of the bilge, some bent railings and the like.

However, it appears it didn't roll on anything hard, as the wheels and davits are still fine, along with the outboard in its mount on the stern...

L8R

Skip

[High Heels]

Found this link tonight: WON plans moonlight hike to honor Laura Zekoll — Project Q Atlanta

As well, "North American Sailor" on Facebook has posted pictures of s/v Rule 62 with a missing rudder and unattached keel...of course they could have removed them after she was in the slings...

Just makes me sick...