Sailboat Sinks After Hitting Cape May Jetty

[Chotu]

"Two people had to be rescued Sunday night after their sailboat struck a jetty while returning to Cape May Inlet, the U.S. Coast Guard said Monday.

The 33-foot vessel hit the north side of the north jetty shortly before 9:45 p.m. The Coast Guard deployed a boat to save the pair on board, a spokesman said. The boaters were checked by local emergency workers.

Sea Tow Cape May, a local marine assistance company, attempted to save the boat before it sank into the water. A photo taken Monday morning shows only the mast of the sailing vessel."

By Jeff Goldman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

https://www.nj.com/cape-may-county/2...outputType=amp

[Chotu]

I can only imagine the Mark One eyeball got confused in this case. Because I can’t see how you would make this mistake on the chart.

[Bill O]

Yep, those underwater objects can ruin a nice day of sailing.

[Matt Johnson]

Sad. It's a newer Hunter 33.

[SailingHarmonie]

Originally Posted by Bill O

Yep, those underwater objects can ruin a nice day of sailing.

That jetty is hardly underwater--at any stage of the tide.

[GILow]

I want know the brand of the LED cockpit lights. They must be well made.

[HankOnthewater]

Originally Posted by Chotu

I can only imagine the Mark One eyeball got confused in this case. Because I can’t see how you would make this mistake on the chart.

Regarding above's comment
While with Sea Rescue, on night training exercises, I used to blindfold helmsman or skipper, asked them to put the helm hard over for a couple 360 degree turns or a couple of figure eights, removed the blindfold and then asked to steer the boat back into the harbour (not using radar or plotter. About half of them picked the wrong makers and steered the wrong course, even reasonably experienced helmsmen.

I know it is so easy to become disoriented in the dark, even in one's home town waters, and not being blindfolded first. I have seen many near misses like this, hitting a protecting rockwall in an harbour entrance, with the navigation light right on the end of the rockwall.

I feel very sorry for this skipper /owner.

[Tin Tin]

Looks like it has a big chart plotter at the helm. Maybe it was busted, even more reason to RRR on the red beacon.

[s/v Jedi]

Fun fact: this whole area was named and developed by the Dutch. Cape May isn’t named for the month of May but after the Dutchman Cornelius May. The Wikipedia article gives some nice background on the development of this area, which was once called New Netherland.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelius_Jacobsen_May

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Fun fact: this whole area was named and developed by the Dutch. Cape May isn’t named for the month of May but after the Dutchman Cornelius May. The Wikipedia article gives some nice background on the development of this area, which was once called New Netherland.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelius_Jacobsen_May

Ah... developed back in those New Amsterdam days?

[Chotu]

And yeah. Quite sad. You can see what a new boat that is. I mean, slightly less sad than a boat someone restored I guess. Or built. but still it was a shiny nice boat.

[thomm225]

I'm betting the current can get really strong there so if they had any engine trouble at all or go distracted that could have played into it.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Ah... developed back in those New Amsterdam days?

Yes. If you like to read about history, here is a good book: https://www.amazon.com/Island-at-Cen.../dp/B000FCK2Z6

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Yes. If you like to read about history, here is a good book: https://www.amazon.com/Island-at-Cen.../dp/B000FCK2Z6

Ah damn. It’s not in Kindle unlimited right now? I might have to wait a little bit until it gets in there. I am very cheap. I already pay for the Kindle unlimited subscription. Ha ha.

It does look interesting.

[CrispyCringle]

Sad story, and I hope the owners are well. Hopefully, all of those cockpit lights weren't on at the time of collision. Fine at anchor, but that wouldn't help at all trying to navigate near shore at night.