Sink an abandoned boat?

[Jim Cate]

G'Day all,

During the infamous "Queen's BIrthday" storm of 1994 a number of boats were abandoned. A couple were either scuttled or rammed deliberately by the rescuing ship. IIRC, ALL the remaining boats were either recovered or were washed up long afterwards, having survived one of the worst storms of the century on their own. The only one that was not accounted for was Quartermaster which was lost with all hands.

The idea of leaving an AIS transponder turned on and an anchor light illuminated both will aid in avoiding a collision with another vessel and aid in possible recovery. Seems like a pretty sound idea to me. I don't think there is much risk in the abandonment myself. Consider that there are hundreds, or possibly thousands of containers lost every year. They are far harder to see than a yacht floating about, especially one that is lit, and yet there are rather few cases of boats hitting them (despite all the worry evidenced in these fora!).

I surely hope to never have to make that decision, but I suspect that I would tend to not scuttle under most circumstances.

Cheers,

Jim

[micah719]

My plan is to make her as unsinkable as possible, and fight hard to prevent it if in such a situation. Failing all that, there is the final option.....scuttling charges of thermite: scorch numerous large holes in the hull. Obviously not something one can reconsider once the things are lit.....

[SunDevil]

Originally Posted by micah719

Failing all that, there is the final option.....scuttling charges of thermite: scorch numerous large holes in the hull. Obviously not something one can reconsider once the things are lit.....

I've watched Star Trek enough to know that there needs to be a self-destruct sequence for boats.

If I am looking for a cheap boat, it sounds like being lucky and in the right place at the right time is a way to trade up.

I do have a question though, would y'all drop your anchor even out at sea if you had to abandon in order to have a chance that it would catch on something or drag before it hit to rocks or shore? Or is my obvious lack of knowledge about anchors becoming evident.

[GrowleyMonster]

Set the Dilithium Crystals to overload and get out in the Shuttlecraft.

[Captain Grandpa]

A most interesting read. Ty!

[Jammer Six]

The idea that you should sink a boat you're abandoning is a perfect example of why insurance companies are the last place you should ask for advice on any topic except insurance.