One Dead, Two Survivors as 'Freefall' Sinks Off New Jersey Coast

[dacust]

This is one of the rare occasions where I think a bunch of "Me, Too!"s are in order. EPIRB, deepest thanks for everything you do, and for the attitude that shows in your post.

-dan

[High Cotton]

THANKS EPIRB!!!
You guys never get the praise you are entitled to, as ALL of our Service Members!
Believe me when I say this........
The United States is a great country because of people like you doing your job every day with little or no thanks!
You make me proud to be an AMERICAN!

[imagine2frolic]

Thanks epirb,

I hope I never have to push the help button. If I do it's because I REALLY need you. Thanks ahead of time just in case I do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[High Cotton]

I just brought High Cotton around from Tampa Bay to Key Largo, offshore for some 24 hours, mostly night sailing.....
I did have my "ditch" bag and EPIRB ready and close by......
does make one feel more secure knowing ya'll are out there!

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by High Cotton

I just brought High Cotton around from Tampa Bay to Key Largo, offshore for some 24 hours, mostly night sailing.....
I did have my "ditch" bag and EPIRB ready and close by......
does make one feel more secure knowing ya'll are out there!

Pretty good run there HC.

[speedoo]

Originally Posted by High Cotton

I just brought High Cotton around from Tampa Bay to Key Largo, offshore for some 24 hours, mostly night sailing.....

You need a marina in Key Largo? I had a good experience there a few years back at Pilot House Marina. Might be able to dig up the info if you need it, although I suspect they've increased dockage fees since then.

[Steel Magnolia]

Just returned from memorial service for Phil Rubright. The place was packed and filled with funny stories, great memories and a lot of love. He will be missed by his family and friends but he is in a far better place sailing to the moon!!

[High Cotton]

Originally Posted by speedoo

You need a marina in Key Largo? I had a good experience there a few years back at Pilot House Marina. Might be able to dig up the info if you need it, although I suspect they've increased dockage fees since then.

speedoo... I appreciate that, but we've got her at GILBERTS sitting right next to the TIKI BAR for the next 2 weeks.

We got a pretty good rate, $700.00 for 21 days before we sail to Key West.

The current "rips" nicely thru there from Jewfish Creek, so we're really secured, don't want any surprises.

[speedoo]

HC, sounds good. Never been to Gilbert's but I've heard it's a hopping place. Tiki Bar at Pilot House was good, too.

PM me if you want some restaurant recommendations for Key Largo. (no expensive ones, I'm cheap!)

[kimberlite]

There were actually 5 boats between new york and bermuda. Sir peter bransons 90 footer was wrecked but returned to Bermuda.

The other three were abandoned with Freefall suffering a loss of life.

We were about 300 miles offshore on Kimberlite. We saw winds gusting to 100 knots and seas to 60 feet.
We were on our Jordan series drogue just 60 miles west of a northern flowing eddy of the Gulf Stream when herb told us to prepare for survival conditions at 4 pm. We continues east towards the eddy at about 3 1/2 kn. Fortunately for us when Herb came on at 9am to check on us the next day, the wind force had blown the eddy another 60 miles further east.

We spent the next 24 hours in the same conditions. the wind then abated to 50 knots and herb advised us to head to Bermuda as a storm was headed our way. We rolled in the drogue after 39 hours. We sailed towards Bermuda on a 50 knot beam reach and outran the storm so Herb said to keep going,. We actually sailed right past the spit buoy of Bermuda.
The rest of the trip to St Martin was uneventful.

recap, no one injured, nothing broken. However we were pooped about 20 times and one crewmember had water up to his armpits in the center cockpit. Incidentally it takes 40 seconds for our 4 inch scuppers to drain the cockpit.

Eric Freedman -Owner
s/v Amel Kimberlite

[Stillraining]

Originally Posted by kimberlite

Incidentally it takes 40 seconds for our 4 inch scuppers to drain the cockpit.

Eric Freedman -Owner
s/v Amel Kimberlite

Hi Eric:

Just to get my mind around this statement..

How many 4" scuppers do you have in your CC, or is that a total measurement of say 2 x 2" drains?

[Intentional Drifter]

Originally Posted by kimberlite

Incidentally it takes 40 seconds for our 4 inch scuppers to drain the cockpit.

Eric Freedman -Owner
s/v Amel Kimberlite

Wow! What a way to find out that bit of information! Glad you're OK, Eric. Great boats, those Amels.

ID

[kimberlite]

My amel comes equipped with 2 4 inch diameter scuppers not 2 2 inch scupers.
It is amazing to see the cockpit drain.
They go straight down through the hull. no bends or anything.
Fair winds,
eric
amel super maramu 376 kimberlite

[Triton318]

Are there any other major ocean currents, other than the Gulf Stream, that pose this same danger?

[Stillraining]

Originally Posted by kimberlite

My amel comes equipped with 2 4 inch diameter scuppers not 2 2 inch scupers.
It is amazing to see the cockpit drain.
They go straight down through the hull. no bends or anything.
Fair winds,
eric
amel super maramu 376 kimberlite

Wow very impressive indeed...are these solid aluminum pipe or hose on nipples and clamps?

Cockpit drainage is something Im going to have to address but Im not sure how yet.