Captain's Log, April 30, 2014 from the Rebel Heart Blog

[Scottuk]

assessment of would'a, should'a, could'a

This is the reason for most threads on forums.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Scottuk

This is the reason for most threads on forums.

If a person only read this thread and "I Think I Saw MH370", that might be true but this forum has tons of stuff to offer the sailor. Most people that flood these two aforementioned threads seem to be boatless drama queens with a zeal for self-importance. True, as per CF's guidelines, they have a right to be here but for me add little to the enhancement of the forum in general.
Having hung out with Eric while in Mx a few times, I can say he is a pretty level-headed guy and it shows with his levelheadedness with responses given throughout the thread. As for the other thread I mentioned, it seems to have really drawn out the conspiracy theorist.

[Scottuk]

Most people that flood these two aforementioned threads seem to be boatless drama queens with a zeal for self-importance.

If a point is salient then it does not matter where it originates. There are many questions still arising from this event that are unanswered and this leads to some speculation. I don't mind the digressions since they can be enlightening in their own right though not related.

P.S. Nice boat by the way

[Blue Crab]

I think a GFY is a Go Fluff Yerself. Or possibly G. Francis Yerschoff.

[boatman61]

[SVNeko]

First time using the ignore button. Let's see how it goes.

[Prairie Chicken]

My take-away is to never, ever post a public blog. Regardless of what you say, someone will use it against you to suit their own purposes.

[who_cares]

Originally Posted by Prairie Chicken

My take-away is to never, ever post a public blog. Regardless of what you say, someone will use it against you to suit their own purposes.

+1000000. And if you do, be prepared to back it up.

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by Prairie Chicken

My take-away is to never, ever post a public blog. Regardless of what you say, someone will use it against you to suit their own purposes.

You needed the Rebel Heart incident to figure that out?

By the same token, though, they were able to raise at least $18K, largely as a result of their blog and comments here.

So I guess public blogs are a two-edged sword.

I learned a lot more than that, mostly because they posted as much as they did about their experience in their public blog.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by letsgetsailing3

You needed the Rebel Heart incident to figure that out?

By the same token, though, they were able to raise at least $18K, largely as a result of their blog and comments here.

So I guess public blogs are a two-edged sword.

I learned a lot more than that, mostly because they posted as much as they did about their experience in their public blog.

I also read some clarifications and amplifications directly from Eric that made me comprehend the number of problems they faced, and consequently, the actions they took. I'm not sure if I would've responded in the same fashion, but that doesn't mean I would have had a better conclusion. Or a more judicious one.

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

I also read some clarifications and amplifications directly from Eric that made me comprehend the number of problems they faced, and consequently, the actions they took. I'm not sure if I would've responded in the same fashion, but that doesn't mean I would have had a better conclusion. Or a more judicious one.

My comment was only referring to their blogs, to point out that while they got some criticism because of them, they also serve to help other cruisers understand some of the difficulties of cruising across the Pacific. They also got some donations as a direct result, from people who sympathized with their situation.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by letsgetsailing3

My comment was only referring to their blogs, to point out that while they got some criticism because of them, they also serve to help other cruisers understand some of the difficulties of cruising across the Pacific. They also got some donations as a direct result, from people who sympathized with their situation.

I didn't get that deeply into the blogs, but rather into the specifics of their rescue and the cascade of issues that led to the decision to hit the big red button. I sympathize for any sailing family that has to make such a hard call, but at the same time, there's always something to learn from the choices made or not made in the lead up to that hard call. Frankly, the initial reportage on this (not to mention the often-cranky forum chatter) didn't evoke sympathy so much as bafflement. The radio interview dispelled that a bit, and Eric's specific replies went even further. Any one or two of those issues might have kept them aboard, but clustered as they were with a mystery baby illness...as I said, a hard call.

[Scottuk]

Any one or two of those issues might have kept them aboard, but clustered as they were with a mystery baby illness...as I said, a hard call.

The sole any only reason, from what RH has stated, was the illness of the child so these other problems had no relevance. However, the reason for the rescue should not detract from the question of whether they should have departed in the first place.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by Scottuk

The sole any only reason, from what RH has stated, was the illness of the child so these other problems had no relevance. However, the reason for the rescue should not detract from the question of whether they should have departed in the first place.

I think they had relevance in terms of the feasibility of evacuating just the mum and kids, leaving Eric to try to round about back to Mexico or to plow on to Hawaii or wherever was 2,000 NM ahead. The boat's problems had to be a decision not just to call for rescue, but to opt for abandonment and cutting the hoses.

Whether they should have departed for the first place I am not qualified to speculate upon, as I didn't do the work that got me to the point of "we're ready to cast off". Clearly, one is never at 100%, nor would you wish to be, as making minor repairs underway breaks up the day once off soundings, but I suspect from what Eric has said that "minor" was turning "major" pretty quickly. Enough to sink the boat? Maybe not. Enough to kill a single-hander or to trigger a second rescue (and I'm not convinced the CG would even allow Eric to stay aboard...has that even been mentioned?)...I don't know. And, frankly, hope never personally to learn.

[Scottuk]

I'm just going by what RH had stated. Not sure why you have decided the decision to go does not merit consideration since the first paragraph of your post is speculative.