22 Sailors Rescued from 15 Overturned Boats in Race Near Annapolis

[Steadman Uhlich]

From the Delmarva News site on December 18, 2016

http://www.delmarvanow.com/story/new...race/95598674/

"The Coast Guard rescued four people after fifteen sailboats overturned during a race in the Severn River near Annapolis Sunday.

The event manager for the Severn Sailing Association contacted the Coast Guard at about 2:20 p.m. and said 22 people had fallen into the water, according to a news release from the Coast Guard.

A boat crew from the Coast Guard rescued four people once it got to the scene, and once all those overboard were accounted for, also helped recover overturned sailboats, the Coast Guard said. Maryland State Police, Anne Arundel County Fire Rescue, and Maryland Natural Resources Police also went to the scene.

Wind speed was 24 knots with gusts up to 30 knots (about 28 to 34 miles per hour) at the time of the race, the Coast Guard said.

“The water temperature in the Chesapeake Bay today was 42 degrees, an extremely dangerous temperature for people in the water," said Lt. Cmdr. Sara Wallace, chief of response at Sector Maryland-NCR. "If all 22 people participating in the race weren't wearing a personal floatation device along with a wet or dry suit, we may have had a different outcome today. Thanks to the mariners and the quick reaction and communication among agencies, all 22 people were rescued without serious injury.""

[brownoarsman]

Yeah, somewhat changeable weather here yesterday. Started out somewhat gentle with temps in the 60s, then the temperature dropped to the low 40s and the wind kicked up. I imagine the racers may not have been expecting the front (though it was well forecast). Of course the water stayed the same temp!

[MGRodems]

Great that it was a quick rescue. I remember racing in Annapolis during winter, we called it "Frostbiting". Sometimes we had to shovel the snow off the deck, not to make it less slippery, but according to the Captain - to lighten the boat.

[Jim Cate]

Kudos to the Coasties, as usual! But, I gotta question the sanity of dinghy racing under such conditions. Too f'n cold for normal human beings!

jim (who starts to shiver at around 50 deg F)

[pickpaul]

I was out sailing the bay that day, just saw this now. It was blowing like stink but with just a fully reefed main the Alberg30 was very civilized but you couldn't have paid me to be in a dinghy! So glad everyone was ok.

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