Dismasted by an aircraft carrier

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Couple of things.

We don’t know what “ detected at a short distance “ actually means.

This was not confined waters 40 nm south of Hyres , this is effectively open seas.

The sailing boat was motor sailing so effectively a mobo.

The point is visibility was good , visually this type of formation would be visible for miles.

The obvious conclusion is the single hander was not on watch for a considerable time or even worse kept sailing into danger.

A sailing boat should never get into a COLRegs situation with a large ship in the first place unless the circumstances , like crossing a busy TSS , force it so.

I’ve adjusted course 5-10 Nm away from large ships to simply remove any ounce of doubt.
I’ve been thanked over the radio as it meant they didn’t have to power up a second steering motor.

We’re doing this for pleasure we have time on our hands.

Well stated!

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

He was motor sailing

Didn't see that in the original article - where did you get that?

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

Didn't see that in the original article - where did you get that?

Sorry I came across an article in French but trying to locate the piece again

[double u]

Originally Posted by garyfdl

Well technically? Not big enough (fortunately).

Seventeen U.S. Navy sailors were killed and thirty-seven injured...

[goboatingnow]

Here’s the piece translated from an interview with the sailor

“I found it interesting. Almost exciting," he replies quickly. The look a little mischievous. Yet the story of the collision some 40 nautical miles (around 70km) in the southeast of the Hyères Islands would frighten more than a seasoned sailor. “At 73, I'm cautious. The boat was sailing under power and under a reduced mainsail. The weather was not bad. A glance at the radar, set to warn me of boats in front of me, not behind, hadn't revealed anything. I was quietly sitting in the saloon when I heard a big bang! It was then that I saw a wall sliding along the sailboat. It was as if I was watching TV! ", says Tomasz, still incredulous.”

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by garyfdl

Might be one misconception best left intact... (IMHO).

Obviously for some ignorance is bliss. But then the forum isn't just for you, now is it?

[goboatingnow]

Looked like the carrier came up behind him , not sure how his radar only looked forward !!!

“ sitting quietly in the salon “ !!!!!

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

The boat was sailing under power and under a reduced mainsail.

Good catch. Someone posted a link to a French article a ways back, but I wasn't going to be bothered subscribing just to read it.

[goboatingnow]

“ it took a few hundred meters for the aircraft carrier to slow down and retrace its steps, if the first attempts to make contact by radio were laborious - "I do not speak French", specifies Tomasz - a first boat quickly rose to the level of the damaged sailboat. Then a second. "The sailors were really lovely to me. They got on board, secured what was left of the mast on the bow of the boat, and then, once the VN Rebel arrived in the area, took care of the towing."

[goboatingnow]

“Transferred aboard the supply-boat chartered by the French Navy, Tomasz Bugajski finally arrived at the port of Hyères on Friday, November 12 at around 6.30 p.m., eleven hours after the collision with the aircraft carrier. He was then interviewed by the maritime gendarmes in charge of the investigation, who then lodged him overnight. "Very nice too", comments the Polish yachtsman who is now waiting for the right weather window to finally reach Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône.”

[goboatingnow]

Sounds like he enjoyed the whole thing !

“This is the greatest adventure that has happened to me since I have been sailing. I have not been injured. The damage is only material. They can be repaired",

[CarinaPDX]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Looked like the carrier came up behind him , not sure how his radar only looked forward !!!

The radar is, of course, scanning 360 degrees. But the "guard zone", which is the area that is "watched" for any traffic, can be set to cover just the forward 180 degrees, and just between two different distances (or any number of odd shapes). Any blip detected inside the guard zone would trigger an alarm. It is an odd assumption that a slow-moving sailboat, even under power, only has to watch for collision threats forward. This "sailor" is definitely not the sharpest tool in the box...

Greg

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Tillikum

Power yields to sail, but sail is wise not to press the point.

The sailboat was under power if you read the reports.
Refer COLREGs Rule 3(c)

[chrisr]

sounds like CdG was the overtaking vessel

see colreg 13(a)

CdG 75% at fault / our polish single hander 25% at fault (failing to keep proper lookout as per colreg 5)

cheers,

[Moontide]

Goboatingnow - would be interested in seeing where it says military vessels have right of way in the open ocean. Granted they "request" exclusion zones and as a courtesy most give them, as well as they have big guns to reinforce their "request". An exception does apply in restricted waters. The USCG is pretty clear that you reduce speed and do not turn towards the boomer subs when transiting St Mary's river.



Am also pretty amazed that a modern carrier is running around without any escorts.