I figured that there would be some questions and I'll do the best I can because I feel there is some information here. Can't do it all at once don't have enough time to write a report all at once but can piece meal it.
I have waited this long because it was a tragedy of the loss of Steve Hobley a man that was a wonderful father of two, became a grandfather AS we were crossing the Atlantic and had become a dear friend of mine. I have done a few TV interviews on this in the past closer to the date of the accident then felt that I had to move on with life.
Sailing has been a large part of my life and now I am starting the next part of my life's adventure. My wife and two boys are in the process of selling everything and
buying a boat and sailing off (push off date summer 2017).
As for questions posed so far the waves (according to my guess and confirmed by speaking with the commander of the CG helicopter) the waves were 35-45' with an extra biggie every now and then.
I was down in the port forward
cabin when we flipped. I obviously didn't see what Exactly happened but from talking with Ole (the other crew that survived) it was a combination
pitch pole and push over. We were surfing down the waves under bare poles at 23kt. When we rolled the waves were a very steep short period 45' breakers, everywhere. I felt the speed the angle down the wave and two bangs, first in front then in back. The second one in the back was huge.
So I believe we hit the back of the wave in front while simultaneously being rolled over by a breaker on own starboard quarter, the amount of
water falling down the face of the wave and the speed at which the came was for a lack of a better description was impressive. A 4 story building collapsing down on itself.
It happened so fast that before the roll was complete the boat was flooded up to my lower chest. Panicking we believed that the boat was going to go down so we went out the escape hatch.
Going back inside was throughly thought about but was impossible because of a few thing.
if you decide to go outside (as we thought the boat was going to the bottom, fast) the air escapes for the boat and settles further down in the
water.
Remember we are still in 45' breaking seas with 20 minutes of light left. The waves broke over the boat like it was a beach with 15-20 second frequency.
Also the boat orientated itself stern-to the waves so there was a constant explosion of water coming from where the hatches were. The weight of the engines pulled the sterns down deep in the water and the bows rose. The hatches were basically not an option but one which i wish we had.
kevin