Rescued Sailors Reach Shore after Dramatic Ocean Rescue

[IslandHopper]

Thankfully all are safe.....

TV report >> Navy ‘hero’ saves grateful yachties - TV News Video | TVNZ

More pictures >> Sail-World.com : Rescued sailors reach shore after dramatic ocean rescue

J/111 >> http://www.jboats.com/j111

The three sailors plucked from the J/111 Django have reached shore after their dramatic rescue on nightfall yesterday.

Just 170nm from the NZ coast the yacht broke its rudder shaft, in 50kts winds and 5metre seas.

The crew made a Mayday call which was picked up by the New Zealand based Rescue Co-Ordination Centre who tasked, two vessels to divert about 90nm to the location of the yacht.

One was a bulk carrier, and fortunately the other was a Royal NZ Navy patrol vessel, HMNZS Otago.

MNZ spokesman Neville Blakemore told Radio New Zealand there were 'extremely high seas', with waves reaching 5m, reports the NZ Herald.

[Wotname]

This is a good result; well done HMNZS Otago.

[Scottuk]

Wow - they used a sat-phone for their rescue. Don't they know how irresponsible it is to use a sat-phone as a piece of safety kit!?!

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by Scottuk

Wow - they used a sat-phone for their rescue. Don't they know how irresponsible it is to use a sat-phone as a piece of safety kit!?!

Why on earth would you suggest that?
Why is it irresponsible?

[Scottuk]

Sarcasm.

More links and photos on this thread.

Crew.org.nz • View topic - Django ocean rescue

[NoTies]

Originally Posted by Scottuk

Wow - they used a sat-phone for their rescue. Don't they know how irresponsible it is to use a sat-phone as a piece of safety kit!?!

I think you need to wind your neck in and look up "context" in a dictionary.

[Rustic Charm]

You both lost me!

[barnakiel]

Looks like another J-boat rudder fail?

b.

[NoTies]

Originally Posted by tedsherrin

You both lost me!

Scottuk is referring to the whole rebelheart saga which has polarised this forum. He is **** stirring so best to ignore him.

[Scottuk]

It has been stated in another thread that a sat-phone should not be used for safety. This instance is the antithesis of that argument.

[seandepagnier]

Originally Posted by Scottuk

Wow - they used a sat-phone for their rescue. Don't they know how irresponsible it is to use a sat-phone as a piece of safety kit!?!

What is wrong with using whatever you have available?

I think it serves them right to lose the boat.

There is no reason why the boat can't be sailed without a rudder. Can steer using drogues as well as lash plywood to the spinnaker pole to make an emergency rudder.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by boat_alexandra

What is wrong with using whatever you have available?

I think it serves them right to lose the boat.

There is no reason why the boat can't be sailed without a rudder. Can steer using drogues as well as lash plywood to the spinnaker pole to make an emergency rudder.

This is the problem with 'armchair' commentating. The facts are rarely understood or even research before saying things as harsh as this.

The rudder shaft snapped in half leaving the rudder it self violent belting around in the harsh conditions. By the time they decided to abandon the boat the wildly swinging rudder had cracked the bearing housing. It was then only a matter of time before the entire back section holding the rudder breaks away.

These are professional experienced and highly respected sailors, they don't leave the boat unless it was absolutely necessary.

This was reported on in the enews of the Crusing Helmsman magazine which comes out each week.

[Scottuk]

I think it serves them right to lose the boat.

That's a pretty harsh sentiment. I don't think anybody deserves to lose their boat.

There is no reason why the boat can't be sailed without a rudder. Can steer using drogues as well as lash plywood to the spinnaker pole to make an emergency rudder.

Have you ever used these methods in these types of conditions? If so I would like to hear your story because I would think it would be next to impossible.