Sailboat Sinks After Hitting Cape May Jetty

[ChrisJHC]

For those countries that use the RYA system, the differences between IALA A and B is covered thoroughly at Yachtmaster level and briefly at Day Skipper level.

[Elie]

Once there, at night while one of my friend was driving the sailboat, this terrible accident almost happened to me: The strong current, was pusshing the boat side way and the said friend was dreaming I guess, and certainly not aware at all of the side push. I took back the helm and drove away with engine full power, and realy it was a close call. The thing is that my friend was only looking forward and was not aware at all of the side push of the tide current. Sory for the crew of this Hnter sailboat.

[mindsofman]

I'm a Delivery guy and cross the mouth of the
Delaware regularly.
I don't always go into Cape May unless bad weather
Is threatening or I'm bone tired but, ive entered there
many times ,day and night,good and bad weather and
Clear or Foggy...There's one thing I do know, the Loom
Of the Nav lights on the ends of the breakwaters can
Be seen up to 100 yards out at 2am in thick fog..
Glad the Coasties acted quickly and no one was hurt.

[CanuckSailorguy]

I've come into this inlet in the dark during bad weather. It's quite easy, if you're not aware of the jetty, or not paying proper attention, or if your eyes are dazzled by your chartplotter, to make a mistake here.
Then of course, there's the all important rule - if you don't know the inlet, don't enter it at night unless it's a big ship inlet. The risk is simply too great.

[CanuckSailorguy]

It's quite likely that their mast is over 55 feet on that boat, and the canal is limited to that height.

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by CanuckSailorguy

It's quite likely that their mast is over 55 feet on that boat, and the canal is limited to that height.

Really? That is a lot of mast on a 33’ boat no? My 33’er is about 43’ to 45’ air draft.

I don’t know the year or model so can not look it up.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Elie

Once there, at night while one of my friend was driving the sailboat, this terrible accident almost happened to me: The strong current, was pusshing the boat side way and the said friend was dreaming I guess, and certainly not aware at all of the side push. I took back the helm and drove away with engine full power, and realy it was a close call. The thing is that my friend was only looking forward and was not aware at all of the side push of the tide current. Sory for the crew of this Hnter sailboat.

There is no excuse at all for that. It has a range.

Your friend was paying no attention whatsoever.

Which also means no one should have any problem entering this at night. Anytime there’s enough visibility to see those range lights, you’re good. It’s a pretty big, straight, easy inlet.

[CanuckSailorguy]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Really? That is a lot of mast on a 33’ boat no? My 33’er is about 43’ to 45’ air draft.

I don’t know the year or model so can not look it up.

Depending on the model,
Mast Height from DWL: 55.75 ft / 16.99 m
or
Mast Height from DWL: 56.00 ft / 17.07 m

according to SailboatData.

[Nauticus]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Cautious thought, might it have been a European skipper?
"Right red return" is just the other way around over here, so someone from Europe chartering in the US might get confused in a push or when exhausted.

Doesn't explain it when looking at the chart though.

Nobody ever finishes that saying. Red Right Return .....UPSTREAM

[Bugoutboat]

This is a good lesson regarding checking your GPS position. When leaving a marina or channel I will use the fixed channel markers to check my GPS reading error. By transiting safely close a channel marker I compare my vessel GPS reading to that of the channel marker. GPS position in the charts. If they match or are reasonably close then I can rely on the GPS. The reason I do this is because around some military installations my GPS has been as much as 500 yards off. Always check it on a channel marker when entering a channel. If the GPS readings are off and you’re relying on autopilot you could end up in an accident like this. Especially at night.

[HeinSdL]

Originally Posted by Nauticus

Nobody ever finishes that saying. Red Right Return .....UPSTREAM

I don't know the saying but surely the upstream bit is redundant, because returning would (always?) imply [going] upstream?

[CaptTom]

Originally Posted by HeinSdL

I don't know the saying but surely the upstream bit is redundant, because returning would (always?) imply [going] upstream?

That only works for day boaters. Cruisers could interpret it as "returning back to sea" after a brief stop in a port.

That's why I always say it as "... returning FROM sea."

[bensolomon]

Originally Posted by Old Bay

So are you saying that in Europe, when returning to port, the green (odd number) markers are on your right (starboard) side?

Old bay,

The easier way to remember what to keep to port on return is the pointed marks to starboard. Red in the US and green almost everywhere else.

[bensolomon]

I have been in and out of that inlet multiple times. There is a safe water mark that helps you line up the center of the inlet about half to a quarter nautical mile outside the Cape May inlet. I always sail to that safe watermark first, then line up the inlet.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by bensolomon

I have been in and out of that inlet multiple times. There is a safe water mark that helps you line up the center of the inlet about half to a quarter nautical mile outside the Cape May inlet. I always sail to that safe watermark first, then line up the inlet.

and that is why you are still floating. Lol

that’s the way to do it. Plus there’s a range so it’s even more crazy what happened