Yacht Tragedy Off Nova Scotia

[terminalcitygrl]

The article says (I think) 6 men from Eastern Europe were onboard, 3 rescued, 1 died en route to hospital, 3 still missing. Winds at 70 k p/hour and big waves, the boat was tossing 90 degrees, and looked like it had rolled a number of times.

One dead and three missing after yacht breaks down off Nova Scotia - Yahoo! News Canada

[terminalcitygrl]

Looks like they updated the article as I posted here (the first was a bit confusing). 9 people onboard, 6 rescued although 1 died, 3 still missing. No sign of the yacht, very harsh conditions.

[S/V Alchemy]

I read in some current reports that there were 9 aboard, on a 35 footer, in a March storm, off Sable.

That doesn't add up, frankly.

[SabreKai]

You have to wonder what they were doing out there. Their silence doesn't help them either. I think we will find they left Europe with the intention of entering Canada or the US illegally.

[reed1v]

Strange. No big storms up here for quite some time. Mainly gales around force 6

[minaret]

Was that 70 kilometers per hour? Certainly not much wind, though that doesn't say anything about the sea state.

[DJBrookster]

Originally Posted by SabreKai

You have to wonder what they were doing out there. Their silence doesn't help them either. I think we will find they left Europe with the intention of entering Canada or the US illegally.

A bit harsh at this stage.

[Mark1977]

Originally Posted by SabreKai

You have to wonder what they were doing out there. Their silence doesn't help them either. I think we will find they left Europe with the intention of entering Canada or the US illegally.

I just got back in from Halifax harbour... the weather is not that great, gust to 39 knts.. big swell. I am not sure but I have been hearing rumors of human smuggling.

[unbusted67]

Just in case anyone was wondering: the North Atlantic is an extremely sucky place to be in March.

[Mark1977]

Originally Posted by unbusted67

Just in case anyone was wondering: the North Atlantic is an extremely sucky place to be in March.

Yes it is, this time last year I was just off sable isalnd fishing, not a nice place to be this time of year.

[Zednotzee]

Originally Posted by SabreKai

I think we will find they left Europe with the intention of entering Canada or the US illegally.

Canadian Public Safety Minister Vic Toews says they now suspect this was a failed human smuggling attempt. Survivors are trying to claim refugee status.

Vessel was S/V Tobasco 2.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/1-dead-3-mi...114400018.html

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by DJBrookster

A bit harsh at this stage.

I don't think so. It's no time of the year that local people, as I understand the situation, would be making a pleasure cruise, and a crew of nine on a 35 footer, even a very well-found 35 footer, is a lot of weight, bunk management and care and feeding involved.

It also wouldn't be the first instance of "refugees" arriving by sea, not by a long shot.

[SabreKai]

may be a bit harsh but our government seems to think so too.

Stranded yacht may be part of human smuggling op: Minister | Canada | News | Toronto Sun

Lots of people want to come to Canada. We give them everything they could ever want for free. Its well known in every poor 3rd world country that if you can make it to Canada, even if they reject your refugee claim its easy to disappear into the weeds. Our news is full of it just about every day. S/V Alchemy will confirm that.