92ft Sailboat Sunk in Long Island Sound

[markpj23]

Anyone know the details on this one?

From USA Today:
Thursday, September 21
New Haven - A 92-foot sailboat heading to Greenwich was sent to the bottom of Long Island Sound on Wednesday after it collided with a 600-foot freighter. The Coast Guard said a woman on the sailboat was killed; two people survived. The freighter, the coal carrier Barkald, was ordered anchored in New Haven pending an investigation.

Hate to see these things...

[btrayfors]

Terrible accident!

Latest details in Hartford, CT paper, "Courant"...here:

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc...eadlines-local

Bill

[btrayfors]

Some key facts known so far on collision:

1. reported position of collision (5 miles north of Roanoke Point Shoal) lies directly on course a vessel would follow transiting the LI Sound (I passed this exact location 3 years ago on a transit);

2. deep water (90 feet or so);

3. absolutely nothing around for miles...no buoys, no nothing;

4. collision reported to have happened around 4-4:30AM Thursday;

5. both vessels had radar;

6. freighter had crew of 29, 5 of which were on bridge when it happened;

7. all have tested alcohol-free, and ship has been released;

8. sailboat had crew of 3; female crew member, the cook, was killed;

9. no reports yet on drug/alcohol tests on surviving 2 crew.

10. vessel owners, in the Virgin Islands, and the insurance company will decide whether or not to try to raise the vessel.

Terrible, terrible loss.

Why do these things happen?

Bill

[Sandero]

I saw Essence last week in Newport and I transit the location of that accident at least 2 times a year for 20 yrs if not more.

I have picked up AIS from vessels in these waters moving coal or scarp or other cargo.. but many do no use AIS.

Since I know these big guys don't maneuver well and may not even be watching I always stay well clear.. and try to stay out of the typical course lines the monsters take when moving in and out of the sound.

Just a few days ago in sailing from Newport to LI, A tug with a huge tow came up behind and crossed... a stern and headed into the race and down the sound. Any sailor should know that these guys are moving up and down the Sound all year and at any time of day from Bridgeport, New Haven, NYC and the fuel Depot on Long Island at Riverhead.

I suspect the boat was motoring on autopilot... of course...and the crew on watch was below eating... or had fallen asleep... more likely The rhumb line coarse from Newport to Greenwich would take them right down the same path that the cargo haulers take. Obviously they had no Radar or AIS alarms.. or slept through them.

Beautiful yacht.. what a tragedy. My heart goes out to the family and friends of the cook.. may she rest in peace.

Local knowledge and good seamanship saves lives.

Jef
sv Shiva
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