Cat capsized in the gulf stream.

[Captain Bill]

Yesterday while crossing from key largo to Bimini we heard on the radio a report of a capcized 30ft+ catamaran. First there were two securite reports from the CG, the first reporting it 20 miles south of Key Largo, then about 1700 just north of bimini. A CGhelicopter had spotted it and diverted a trwler yacht to check it out. The yacht reported it was inverted floating about 2-3 ft above the water with the sails up. The CG wanted to know if there were any signs of distress. Duh. 20 miles off shore in the gulf stream upside down with the sails up (under water) and the geinius was wonderingbif there were any signs of distress. The MV captain reported that he yelled and got no response. The helicopter thanked him for his trouble but seemed like they were leaving it at that. They made no indication that they were going to check the interior to see if anyone was trapped inside. The mv reported that the registration number began with NO.OC then some didgits, but the numbers were garbled. NO.OC is not a us numbering system, does anyone know what country's numbering system uses that format? Does anyone know of a cat overdue on a crossing to or from FL?

[MarkJ]

Sounds serious.

Sent from a stupid phone that replaces words with weird stuff.

[Captain Bill]

Some further information. The hull was reported as blue with red bottom paint. A friend in Marathon reports that a blue hulled Gemini left there Sunday enroute to Morgan's Bluff in the Bahamas. I have the name of the boat,but am reluctant to post it. I actually heard said boat on the radio late Sunday off shore complaining to another boat about how rough it was. At the time I was in hawk's channel near Islamorada. Conditions were not bad for my 44 footer, but seas and winds are usually higher outside the reef and winds were out of the ENE so one has a bit of a wind opposing current situation in that part of the stream.

[JPA Cate]

Oooooh boy. Really bad news.

[Sid at SailAway]

I won't post the name here either, but it was a Gemini and a buddy boat that left Boot Key Harbor. There was no one onboard when the Coast Guard got there because the buddy boat had already taken them off. Last report they were all safe aboard the buddy boat and anchored near Morgan's Bluff. No report or details on how she capsized. The great thing is no loss of life. Still a shame because I believe this was their home...

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by Sid at SailAway

I won't post the name here either, but it was a Gemini and a buddy boat that left Boot Key Harbor. There was no one onboard when the Coast Guard got there because the buddy boat had already taken them off. Last report they were all safe aboard the buddy boat and anchored near Morgan's Bluff. No report or details on how she capsized. The great thing is no loss of life. Still a shame because I believe this was their home...

I just got that news as well which is very good indeed. I am told that one hull started taking on water and was abandoned 25 minutes later and it turned turtle shortly after the crew was taken off. The Gemini was named Kindred Spirit and the buddy boat was Yur-eaka a 50ft Benateau. I'm not sure about the spelling of Yur-eaka but we met them while provisioning for our crossing. A hearty well done to Yur-eaka for getting the crew off.

[smj]

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1994...s#.VrFdRa9OKrU
Looks like it was on the market.



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[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by smj

1994 Gemini 3400 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
Looks like it was on the market.



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Small world, I know the broker.

[GoingWalkabout]

Originally Posted by smj

1994 Gemini 3400 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
Looks like it was on the market.

The listing on yachtworld says it's sold. Doesn't say it's sunk.

[lindabarzini]

"SOLD - what are the chances of it sinking twice?" Too soon?

[JPA Cate]

Wow. Good job for Yur-eka, and apologies if misspelled.

Good job the Gemini was buddy boating, too. Too bad they didn't have time to effect a temporary repair.

You know, the multihullers are always on the mono people about having sinkers, but when I see the pictures of the capsized cats, I don't think they look like a practical survival platform, either. Too slippery, too wet. I just don't think a person would last long, and even less time if where the water is very cold. I think what it comes down to is that we who go to sea might need to accept that there are conditions in which we will drown, we will not make it through. Ymmv.

[tp12]

You'd probably last longer than if you were swimming on your own with nothing to hang onto.


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[tp12]

Of course that wouldn't be the case if managed to get a lift raft deployed or you were wearing a life jacket.


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[Redreuben]

Eureka ?


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[arsenelupiga]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Wow. Good job for Yur-eka, and apologies if misspelled.

Good job the Gemini was buddy boating, too. Too bad they didn't have time to effect a temporary repair.

You know, the multihullers are always on the mono people about having sinkers, but when I see the pictures of the capsized cats, I don't think they look like a practical survival platform, either. Too slippery, too wet. I just don't think a person would last long, and even less time if where the water is very cold. I think what it comes down to is that we who go to sea might need to accept that there are conditions in which we will drown, we will not make it through. Ymmv.

yeah. that seem about right. I do not know how to use capsized L400 yet. When L38 capsized with 1 fatality years ago, the other 2 people were tied to saildrives. How does this work in very rough seas, does not look great. If you inside, you suffocate. Only thing is to break escape hatch but then boat loses buoyancy as lagoons are heavy, especially in cruising mode (lots of stuff) .