We were starting our cruising season in Brunswick Ga. in November and met a young couple, Austin and Niki and they had just purchased a Ted Brewer designed 48 ft
ketch. They were working hard getting her ready to start their
circumnavigation. Their enthusiasm was infectious and many regulars in the marina were helping them out with advise, assistance and donations of
equipment. They were organized and had a plan, to rename the
boat Salty Mermaid and start their
circumnavigation from Brunswick Ga. After looking after numerous details including polishing their
fuel that had been sitting in the tank for four years and repairing the auto pilot, they were finally ready. The only thing missing was experience so they did the right thing and hired a
captain to take them down the coast to
Fort Lauderdale where friends would meet them and help them sail to the
Caribbean. The dream was happening. They set off on a beautiful December morning and sailed outside or motored down the ditch as
weather dictated. They eventually made it to Jupiter Inlet. They negotiated the inlet with no problem and the
captain hailed the bridge, "Jupiter bridge, Jupiter bridge". The bridge
tender did not respond. There are in fact two Jupiter bridges, After repeated attempts to contact the bridge eventually they were close enough to see the name on the bridge as Jupiter Federal bridge. Austin hailed the bridge and requested an opening. The bridge
tender finally complied, but the
boat when backing up started to go into a marina near the bridge. A strong flood
current was running at the time. The captain put the boat into forward and decided to go through the bridge before it was fully open and the forestay, stay sail and
mast hit the bridge. The result was major damage to the
rigging,
mast and internal structures of the boat. To quote Austin, "The damage is pretty bad, we are looking at close to 50k in damage, which may cause the boat to be totalled. We have a hole in the bow and are taking on
water via the stringers, the mast is raked aft,
instruments all destroyed on mast
head, stay and headsail are destroyed and pulled bulkheads and chainplates with them. Some issues with the stringers as well." This is a very sad story and possibly the end to their dream. Go to sailingsaltymermaid.com to learn more and see the youtube video of the
accident.
What we can all learn about opening bridges from this very tragic event is:
1) Know the exact name of the bridge you are approaching.
2) Have the
phone number of the bridge (available from Active Captain) ready in case
radio communication fails.
3) Have an alternate plan in the event the bridge fails to open. In a strong
current leave yourself room to turn around and get away from the bridge.
4) Stay well outside the fenders until the bridge is fully open.
5) Furl or drop any
sails before going through the bridge.
6) Contact other traffic approaching the bridge as required. Channel 9 is not just for bridges.
Be safe out there.
Cabo Jim