Rigormortis: Acknowledging loss of La Rosa off Argentina

[Mahana]

While acquiring some free dental advice on this forum of all places, I discovered some sad news:

Pete (aka rigormortis), a retired dentist, cruiser and contributor to CF nearly lost his life last December. I can find no mention of it beyond the short epilog to his travel blog. His steel Passport 42, La Rosa, suffered a severe knock-down off the coast of Argentina, ultimately causing it to sink. Pete and his companion survived. He was living the life many of us dream about.

Pete, I am very sorry for your loss. I greatly enjoyed reading your blog. It sounded like a great boat and a wonderful life aboard. I hope you find a way to get back on the water and continue your journey.

With very best wishes,

David

Pete's blog describing his travels:

| what's left of a life

[MarkJ]

What an incredible story!

13+ days south of Mar Del Plata. Lying ahull. Boat rolls 360. No life raft and the dinghy destroyed.
Swimming in the water, at night, 150 nms off shore......

Not a good situation.


You MUST read the last entry in the blog! | what's left of a life




Mark

[snort]

That account certainly qualifies as "harrowing". Good read all around.
It just goes to show you how important luck is. Experienced sailor with a strong sailboat and not so good results on that one trip.

[rebel heart]

We need to start a sunk-boat club.

[skipmac]

What a story. Talk about rescue in a knick of time. Very sorry to hear he lost the boat but he's here to sail another day.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

We need to start a sunk-boat club.

Hey man. Glad to see your sense of humor stayed dry.

[DeepFrz]

We need to start a sunk-boat club.

Eric, I think it would be a pretty big club. You are in with some pretty good company.

I hope you are all faring well.

[Mahana]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

We need to start a sunk-boat club.

Yes, Eric, I was certainly thinking of you and glad that you are well enough to start a club : )

The only bigger club would be the almost-sunk-a-boat-club.

D

[DeepFrz]

Now comes the hard waters. There is a large text/guide book for the Argentine, Cape Horn, and Chile canals written by a couple of long time southern sailors. They describe our next passage with these words:
‘The route between Rio de La Plata and the South end of the continent, is considered, without exaggeration, one of the toughest a yacht is likely to meet. A long record of wrecks, accidents and misfortunes, amplified by time, could not but strengthen the discomfort sailors feel leaving Mar del Plata.’
So, I guess we’re in for it. We leave in 4-5 days. Hope to make Ushuaia, Argentina in 3 weeks, insha’allah.

The last entry in the post before the sinking.

[HopCar]

Hi Eric, Glad you're still with us.

[Dhillen]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

We need to start a sunk-boat club.

Good on ya.

Hang tough.

Dhillen

[JPA Cate]

Rigormortis,

Glad you made it safely. Sorry for your loss. We wish you a speedy recovery.

Ann & Jim Cate

[Prairie Chicken]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

We need to start a sunk-boat club.

Don't take this personally, but I don't think folks will be lining up to join.

[socaldmax]

I'd like to try and learn something from this, since I know nothing about storms and sailboats.

What is the correct tactic? What direction should you keep the boat pointed? Would a sea anchor and a drogue have helped in this situation?

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by socaldmax

I'd like to try and learn something from this, since I know nothing about storms and sailboats.

What is the correct tactic? What direction should you keep the boat pointed? Would a sea anchor and a drogue have helped in this situation?

Yes, lying ahull is a very old technique thats pretty well discredited. It means lying broadside to the waves, without sails or power.

The options are, because it was wind on the nose, hoving to or a parachute sea anchor off the bow. Probably not strong enough for the parachute so hove to.
If wind up the bum then keep sailing slowly, under bare poles if necessary. with drogue out the back. The idea is to reduce the energy. In 13 meter seas, 45 feet, a boat could pitch pole, so just take it slow.