Urgent Assistance To Find Missing Australian Yacht

[crazyoldboatguy]

Originally Posted by PortClydeMe

It's already an interesting story. How does one decide to embark on a single-handed sail (at 70+ years of age) from Australia to Fiji without back-up provisions and modern communication gear of some type? Sounds like bad planning to me, and that's a young-man's game. He should be wise enough by now. See? Already interesting.

"Sounds like bad planning to me, and that's a young-man's game".


Just quoting it as it was written.

[chala]

78 that still young and leave you 22 years before you get to 100.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by crazyoldboatguy

"Sounds like bad planning to me, and that's a young-man's game".


Just quoting it as it was written.

Ah... point taken...thought someone was have a shot at the old pharts...

[PortClydeMe]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Ah... point taken...thought someone was have a shot at the old pharts...

No. Just pointing out that us "advanced age" folks don't usually make a lot of mistakes. Like sailing from Australia to Fiji with two cans of SPAM and a can of Coke, and then wondering why we're hungry and thirsty 1000 kilometers out.

[PortClydeMe]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

I would suggest he had plenty of back up provisions.... a 14 day passage and he is still with us after 5 weeks or more... sounds like he had a reasonable reserve.

A young man's game?? .. define 'young'.

Sorry. Would you prefer the descriptor "idiot" instead of "young"? I've now made a mental note.

[Wanderlust]

Originally Posted by PortClydeMe

It's already an interesting story. How does one decide to embark on a single-handed sail (at 70+ years of age) from Australia to Fiji without back-up provisions and modern communication gear of some type? Sounds like bad planning to me, and that's a young-man's game. He should be wise enough by now. See? Already interesting.

Where are you getting this from?

Single handed Australia to Fiji at 70+? I see no problem with this given enough experience, normal fitness and suitable vessel.

Without backup provisions? As noted earlier it was planned to be much shorter. So maybe he had 2-3 times the estimated requirements. What would you recommend?

Without ... modern communication gear? So how did he call for help? From listening to the linked radio station audio (by El Pinguino), the cruise ship was asked by Australian resuce authorities to turn around and go to him. So his communications apparently reached mainland Australia.

Sounds like bad planning to me. So specifically, what was the bad planning? Should he have just paddled around at home because he's almost geriatric?

Maybe some of this is true but until the story is known you are making the "young persons game" of jumping to conclusions that may well be wrong. You should be wise enough by now to know better. See?

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by PortClydeMe

Sorry. Would you prefer the descriptor "idiot" instead of "young"? I've now made a mental note.

Yup, idiots come in all ages.. I've had two in the galley department.... once after heading out on a 14 day run found we only had 3 onions.....
The other time , 0600 about to depart on a 40 day run.... I notice we have no tomatoes..... I ask the question ..the answer from the one in charge of buying tomatoes ' the shop only had ugly ones.....'
Both mature age and well qualified in their professions but still dills......

[Jim Cate]

So, PCM, how have you done things on your longish, upwind, low budget singlehanded passages. Don't be shy, tell us how to do it...

Jim

[Fishbreath]

https://www.marinetraffic.com
He did not have a AIS transponder ?
Fishing pole?
Radio?

[Exile]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

So, PCM, how have you done things on your longish, upwind, low budget singlehanded passages. Don't be shy, tell us how to do it...

Jim

. . . on his Hinckley . . . with davits . . . or was it the 60-something Little Harbor he doesn't quite yet have under contract . . . .

[boatman61]

Its Good News Week...

[PortClydeMe]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

So, PCM, how have you done things on your longish, upwind, low budget singlehanded passages. Don't be shy, tell us how to do it...

Jim

Jim, I don't sail low-budget, and I would never sail without a proper store of emergency rations. Thus, I cannot answer your condescending question. Sorry if that lets you down a little this afternoon, but life is not always perfect. By the way, weren't you and your mate just recently using your Internet connection daily near New Caledonia? You should have had a look around. Word is there was an old geezer beating into the wind with no vittles or refreshments. Kind of "low budget". Take care.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Fishbreath

https://www.marinetraffic.com
He did not have a AIS transponder ?
Fishing pole?
Radio?

He would appear to have had an epirb...

[Jim Cate]

Jim, I don't sail low-budget, and I would never sail without a proper store of emergency rations

PErhaps that is why you do your voyaging sailing a computer and an imagination, rather than a real yacht on a real ocean.

And yes, Ann and I are currently in New Caledonia, and had there been a callout for SAR volunteers, we would have been willing, as we have been in the past. But really, PCM, it is difficult to respond to non-existent calls for help... non existent as far as any of the folks here in NC were aware. All we do is monitor VHF and the ham nets, and spend far too much time trying to contribute to CF. And BTW, we're old geezers too, and have great sympathy for this chap, trying to relocate his life to Fiji. We hope that his "rescue" didn't involve the loss of his yacht and all his possessions.

Jim

[PortClydeMe]

Originally Posted by Wanderlust

Where are you getting this from?

I don't know, maybe from here?:

"Facebook post by Daughter 12 hrs ago
"Hey guys, my father has been found drifting off course by the Pacific Jewel cruise ship. Food and water long gone, waiting for updates on his condition but they are attempting to get him off the yacht. "

Single handed Australia to Fiji at 70+? I see no problem with this given enough experience, normal fitness and suitable vessel.

Yup, and don't forget preparedness. It's nice to have something to eat and drink while you sit around in a disabled vessel waiting to be saved.

Without backup provisions? As noted earlier it was planned to be much shorter. So maybe he had 2-3 times the estimated requirements. What would you recommend?

Plan for the worst-case scenario, then multiply by at least 2. Has always worked for me. What do you recommend?

Without ... modern communication gear? So how did he call for help?

No idea.

Sounds like bad planning to me. So specifically, what was the bad planning?

Prepare for the worst, x 2. Lot of water between Australia and Fiji.

Maybe some of this is true but until the story is known you are making the "young persons game" of jumping to conclusions that may well be wrong. You should be wise enough by now to know better. See?

Waiting on pins and needles. It sure is a tearjerker.