A List of Unsuccessful Bluewater Passages

[svseachange]

There has been talk on another thread of lists of unsuccessful bluewater passages. As it happens, I've been adding reports of unsuccessful online database since last year:
A list of Unsuccessful Bluewater Sailing Passages

The list is by no means complete. It only includes the unsuccessful crossing my wife and I have read about. If you know of other unsuccessful passages please let me know via PM. This not a commercial site, just a hobby of mine as a sailor and data geek.

For me it has been a fascinating project. I keep laughing and then checking myself. "Could that happen to my boat? Would I abandon my boat under the same circumstances? What have I done to prepare for that eventuality? Do I really have what it takes?" Time will tell, I suppose.

[Cheechako]

could be a good data base if we start tracking reasons for lack of sucess; ill preparation, hull, thru hulls, weather...

[Tim R.]

Years are fine but a month abandoned would be good additional info.

[svseachange]

The reported reasons for unsuccess are in the comments section. As we collect more data it will be easier to identify what additional data points would be useful.

Initially, I was interested in seeing whether certain boat manufacturers or boat designs were unsafe.

For example, the stories of "LoveLove" and "Queequeg II" suggest it might be unwise to take a catamaran less than 50ft on a bluewater passage if there is any possibility of big seas.

The stories of "Wolfhound" and "Espiritu Santo suggest it might be unwise to over rely the engine for power generation, and to rely on power for navigation.

[Khagan1227]

+1 I like it!

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Khagan1227

+1 I like it!

Me too

TBH, if your site had included the additional details very likely I wouldn't have bothered with The Lost Yachts Register.

[pbiJim]

When I flew a lot, I read the NTSB reports every month. This is a similar example of prudent research. Thank you for compiling this.

[Lonestaralaskan]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

could be a good data base if we start tracking reasons for lack of sucess; ill preparation, hull, thru hulls, weather...

This is a solid idea. Even broad categories would be helpful, like Equipment Failure, Weather, etc.

[Cheechako]

Yeah... good raw data, people can draw their own conclusions and just use it as a tool....

[Cheek Wind]

I have to say I'm surprised the list is not longer

[Panope]

Does anybody have a wild guess as to how many bluewater passage attempts are made per year?

Steve

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Panope

Does anybody have a wild guess as to how many bluewater passage attempts are made per year?

Steve

is Florida to the Bahamas "bluewater"? St Lucia to St Vincent?

[S/V Alchemy]

Very interesting! It's unhappy to contemplate learning from the misfortunes of others, but in some ways it's the best method.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by shanedennis

There has been talk on another thread of lists of unsuccessful bluewater passages. As it happens, I've been adding reports of unsuccessful online database since last year:
A list of Unsuccessful Bluewater Sailing Passages

The list is by no means complete. It only includes the unsuccessful crossing my wife and I have read about. If you know of other unsuccessful passages please let me know via PM. This not a commercial site, just a hobby of mine as a sailor and data geek.

For me it has been a fascinating project. I keep laughing and then checking myself. "Could that happen to my boat? Would I abandon my boat under the same circumstances? What have I done to prepare for that eventuality? Do I really have what it takes?" Time will tell, I suppose.

can i add myself to the list as i am currently struggling to complete my 3rd blue water circumnavigation this is mainly due to having children who need proper education,a wife who actually likes her job on land....and currently having 4 boats that i can only sail one at a time...... so im definitly in the unsucsess full catagory

mind you i have managed to average 4-5000 miles a year doing deliveries on other peoples boats and get paid for it over the last few years

[Astrid]

and currently having 4 boats that i can only sail one at a time

Well now, hire some hands, promote yourself to Commodore, and go out with all four as a fleet.