Spirited 380 Lost in the Coral Sea

[Ozbullwinkle]

Originally Posted by justwaiting

As the OP said "I will post an account leeding to the resque when we feel up to it David.
I do intend to write the whole story for pubilcation in the near future. "
If i was the OP having suffered the probable loss of boat and some of the posts, i would not publish it here, which will be our loss. I think that some of us may be reading information in to the photo that may not be there and for our own personal agends.

This is the point that I was making in my recent post as well as several earlier ones suggesting that even though it is hard to not comment the more negative things that people write the less chance we will have of seeing the full account ftom the OP which really is all that matters.

[downunder]

Originally Posted by Cookiesa

The OP can very quickly clear that up with a one line message, yes that's us or Nope, wrong vessel, different occasion etc

The OP will clearly be traumatised would be anyone who has lost a vessel, their home. You need to be more patient and not judgmental.

Cheers

[Cookiesa]

IF the picture is any indication of the state of the vessel and conditions (note the terrible sky, 4 metre waves, sunken stern, shredded sails......)

Then they did not "loose" their home/boat they ABANDONED it. Again maybe the pic was taken ata different time or isn't even of the actual vessel, but if it is I hope they also receive a bill for their "rescue". There is no RACT on the Ocean, if your capable, get the experience or at least some lessons and don't risk other peoples lives (not just rescuers but other people on the boat)

[Ozbullwinkle]

I give up!

[downunder]

Originally Posted by Ozbullwinkle

I give up!

How hard is it ??

[donradcliffe]

For all those judgemental types--you weren't out there.

Sometimes even the best seamen abandon a boat, and fatigue is one of the overriding factors

Abandoning ship: gut-wrenching, perilous, sometimes right

BTW, still pictures NEVER do justice to the sea state.

[Ozbullwinkle]

Originally Posted by downunder

How hard is it ??

Yeah, I know. I will be surprised if the OP does eventually post the full account on the forum but I still hope that he does.

[Cookiesa]

Of course that will depend on who/where the story firsts gets published.... most contracts include limiting where you can then tell your story once sold

[tuskie]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

For all those judgemental types--you weren't out there.

Sometimes even the best seamen abandon a boat, and fatigue is one of the overriding factors

Abandoning ship: gut-wrenching, perilous, sometimes right

BTW, still pictures NEVER do justice to the sea state.

+1

All the forum armchair experts are accurately assessing the seaworthiness of the vessel and passing judgement regarding the skipper's decision to abandon ship. Some of you are way too harsh!

The vessel design and state, the weather and the sea state are but minor considerations compared to the physical and mental state of the crew, in my humble experience.

I, for one will never criticise a skipper for making a decision to put lives out of jeopardy, such as Minx's skipper had to make. Some forum contributors are no doubt super-human sailing legends in their own minds who regularly sail their wonder vessels at record speed through the worst of seas. You know who you are!
Put a normal but competent crew through days of ardure, sleep deprival and severe stress, add some doubt from unknowns such as predicting a cyclone's intensity and path, some equipment failures and you have a very different level of functionality. Severe fatigue and associated stress can demolish the best of crews. Minx's crew were experienced and presumably competent, beyond that we can only guess and speculate as to their physical and mental state. Give them a fair go. I'm sure the professional mariners that rescued them did!

[dirkdig]

Well said tuskie, marinas are overloaded with experts!

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by dirkdig

Well said tuskie, marinas are overloaded with experts!

I'd leave a floating pile of plastic in a nano-second if the welfare and comfort of my crew were in doubt. Anyone not there with me doesn't get a vote.

Heroes dont save boats and buildings they save people.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by dirkdig

Well said tuskie, marinas are overloaded with experts!

LMAO.................. for a second I thought that read 'Expats'.....

[catty]

Originally Posted by tuskie

+1

All the forum armchair experts are accurately assessing the seaworthiness of the vessel and passing judgement regarding the skipper's decision to abandon ship.
Minx's crew were experienced and presumably competent,!

You appear to be doing the same.
Silverback aka minx first post on this forum states ...." Have had very little sailing experience ".

Regards

[Factor]

Originally Posted by catty

You appear to be doing the same.
Silverback aka minx first post on this forum states ...." Have had very little sailing experience ".

Regards

And you appear to only want to tell half the story. Here is what he said IN FULL.

Happy New Year everyone! I have never joined a forum before, decided to do so as we are planning to sail from Mooloolaba to the Med in May/June 2008. Have had very little sailing experience however have been on a huge learning curve since the launch of our Spirited 380 Catamaran "Minx" in May 8th. Since taking Minx out on my own, "jumping into the deep end" has excellerated my learning curve big time! Hope to keep in touch... Cheers to you all!

That post was made in January 2008 and clearly reference that the boat had been in the water since the previous May. So coming up to 5 years of sailing experience on that boat.

I am not suggesting the man was an expert, but clearly he had gained some experience in that time.

Does any one person, or any one boat in the world meet your expectations in any way ever? You are incredibly keen to pick fault with sailors, designers and boats and yet you never offer a positive comment or a positive alternative.

[David_Old_Jersey]

My thoughts:-

1) that OP was an idiot for setting off at that time of year - especially as bad weather seems to have come as a surprise (Cyclone or not).

2) that the boat was not suitable for the voyage (especially at that time of year).

3) that OP was correct to abandon ship - and for that I make no criticism. As Skipper you make the call, and then live with it - that's your job.


Not to say that most of the time couldn't have lucked through. But OP clearly didn't. You make your own luck - good and bad.

Some of the above may appear harsh, but bluntness used for clarity.

Perhaps the best lesson anyone can take from this thread is not to beleive the nonsense about a certain type of boat - as peddled for many years within this sub-forum. Usually by folk with a financial interest in selling "the dream" (the fantasy?).......or who simply have a screw loose .