Two fatalities in the Sydney to Hobart race

[noelex 77]

Two separate accidents have occurred where a sailor was apparently hit by the boom and sustained fatal injuries.

Condolences to the friends and family.

https://rolexsydneyhobart.com/news/2...rt-yacht-race/

[Wotname]

Very sad and significant news. Both fatalities were eerily similar, crew killed by the boom.

Both boats (Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline) are now in Batemans Bay and the accidents are being investigated by NSW Water Police.

Condolences to all crew and family.

[barnakiel]

Very sad news. We are not boxing or motocross, still - a physical sport. Injuries will happen.


;-(
b.

[Factor]

Very sad, lost a close mate earlier this year to similar accident on a racing mono, hit by mainsheet (not tackle - not boom) and killed instantly just delivering a boat up to hammo for race week. 5 of 6 crew have extensive transoceanic et alexperience. All racing boats are dangerous, monos more so.

[newhaul]

Sad news indeed and I just watched the start this morning.

[Uricanejack]

Very very sad.

[Uncle Bob]

Condolences to everyone involved, especially the deceased families.
Reports indicate that both boats may have been involved in sail changes at the time.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Factor

....... hit by mainsheet (not tackle - not boom) and killed instantly just delivering a boat up to hammo for race week. .........

It is now reported that Nick Smith (Bowline) impacted a winch after being hit by the mainsheet.

"He was hit by the mainsheet, and the mainsheet threw him across the boat, and unfortunately he hit his head on the winch, and that's what killed him."

https://www.9news.com.au/national/sy...9-d403db30a11a

[donradcliffe]

The good news from the race is that someone fell off a boat at 0300, and they managed to find and save him.

[danstanford]

Both incidents happened around midnight somewhere in the deep dark. It is pretty easy to accidently gybe if you are distracted at all in the daylight, I can only imagine racing in a gale in the pitch black dark.

[donradcliffe]

Originally Posted by danstanford

Both incidents happened around midnight somewhere in the deep dark. It is pretty easy to accidently gybe if you are distracted at all in the daylight, I can only imagine racing in a gale in the pitch black dark.

I am guessing that both boats had new crew for the race.

We always have had assigned positions for sail and direction changes. You want your best driver at the helm and your normal point man on the bow. A gale is no place for DEI or training at night.

[ausnp84]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

I am guessing that both boats had new crew for the race.

We always have had assigned positions for sail and direction changes. You want your best driver at the helm and your normal point man on the bow. A gale is no place for DEI or training at night.

Seems your guess is wrong - Bowline apparently had the usual experienced crew on board for this race - and why bring up DEI? There’s always one that has to throw that in randomly to a conversation….��

N

[donradcliffe]

Originally Posted by ausnp84

Seems your guess is wrong - Bowline apparently had the usual experienced crew on board for this race - and why bring up DEI? There’s always one that has to throw that in randomly to a conversation….��

N

Thanks for the additional information on Bowline. It sometimes takes a few days for the rest of the crew to insist that the owner doesn't drive the gybes.

I have seen the aftermath of DEI assignments on navy ships, like the USS Fitzgerald and the HMNZS Manawanui.

Why did someone else bring up the subject that monos are more dangerous?

[ausnp84]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

I have seen the aftermath of DEI assignments on navy ships, like the USS Fitzgerald and the HMNZS Manawanui.

And yet this had nothing to do with DEI.. a yacht race in Australia with predominantly (exclusively) white male crew on both boats, and both being unfortunate accidents in the dark during heavy weather.

That term has become the catch cry for whenever something goes wrong, often times entirely irrelevant to the situation. Your reference to the Manawanui sinking should tell anyone all they need to know…

N

[CapsizedVeteran]

I'm amazed the sailing industry hasn't come up with an industry standard boom brake solution to reduce fatalities. It's obvious that no amount of skill can ever eliminate the dangers of an uncontrolled boom and that some sort of equipment to reduce the danger would be a good idea.