Tsunami Victim's Boat for Sale

[TaoJones]

Dan Olszewski, 69, of Florida was the only cruiser known to have died in the tsunami that struck Pago Pago, American Samoa. His wife Joan rode out the surges aboard their Freedom 39, Mainly, but she and the couple's sons have decided to sell the vessel as is, where is, for $45,000. From today's 'Lectronic Latitude:

* * *

" 'Dan and I have owned Mainly since 1989,' she notes on the listing. 'I lost my beloved Captain in the tsunami that hit Samoa on September 29, 2009. I am looking for a quick sale so I can go home. The price is 'as is'. The damage done during the tsunami was cosmetic. She is seaworthy, although the foresail is torn but easily repaired with materials I purchased from Sail Rite.' "

* * *

To read the entire piece, go to:

Latitude 38 - The West's Premier Sailing & Marine Magazine

TaoJones

[MarkJ]

Its doesnt get sadder than that.

[Solitude]

Tragic ending....

[maxingout]

Very sad. It could have been any of us.

This is the third place we have been where there were tsunamis.

Hiva Oa
Pago Pago
Thailand

Fortunately, we experienced only one of the three tsunamis in locations that we have cruised (Thailand), and even in Thailand, we were at the right place at the right time. If we had been on the beach, or anchored in shallow water, we would have been history.

Location is everything when you cruise in tsunami zones.

At least the cruiser was living his dreams.

[anjou]

A sad and tragic way to end the dream.

[James S]

There are lots of ways to live and lots of ways to die.
It is sad but at the same time he LIVED!

[Joli]

Very sad.

[Popeye.Tom]

Joan,

If your watching or not...My most heart felt condolences to Joan, her sons and family.

Thank you for the post and link TaoJones. More information on survivors at Sail World - Powerboat-world: Sail and sailing, cruising, boating news

Tom

[svHyLyte]

The following is abstracted from a Latitude 38 Posting:

The death toll from the tsunami that wreaked havoc on Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga last Tuesday includes one cruiser—Dan Olszewski, 69, of the Florida-based Freedom 39 Mainly. When the tsunami sirens sounded, a number of cruisers decided to ride out the surges aboard their boats. As Dan was untying Mainly's docklines, the first surge swept him off his feet and he was gone. His wife, Joan, controlled the boat through the following surges but was unable to find Dan. His body was found later that day. The couple's sons flew into Pago Pago a few days ago, and the family decided that the best course of action is to sell Mainly. where-is, as -s.

For more information see Latitude 38 - The West's Premier Sailing & Marine Magazine

[anglooff]

Sad indeed

[TaoJones]

The vessel Mainly has been sold. From today's 'Lectronic Latitude:

But one private yacht was in need of help. Joan Olszewski of the Florida-based Freedom 39 Mainly lost her husband Dan when the first surge hit Pago Pago on American Samoa. She and her sons decided to sell the boat the couple had cruised for 20 years, which we reported in Wednesday's 'Lectronic — including the link to Mainly's sale page. We don't know if the buyer found the boat through our posting, but Paul Slivka tells us that he and Commodore Tompkins had been preparing to deliver Mainly to Brisbane, Australia, when she was sold on Wednesday night.

Thankfully, Joan Olszewski and her sons will not have to have the necessity of selling Mainly providing a difficult burden as they cope with their loss.

TaoJones