We had a 39' Shannon come to grief trying to enter the Oregon Inlet here under sail in 35-40K this past weekend. The boat had been headed south offshore and gotten a prop wrap and made the decision to try to come in.
The boat quickly was driven aground on the shoals in this treacherous inlet and the Coasties could not get to it. They called in a helicopter and rescued the 3 people aboard. Further good news is that the boat floated free the next AM and was towed and is now on the hard with little damage. The 3 sailors want no more of sailing and the boat will be put up for sale I understand.
Here's the pix from my friend Capt. Stu who runs the local SeaTow and was out there in these conditions standing by.
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