I'm curious as to how he broke his femur. The femur is one of the strongest bones in the human body. It takes a considerable amount of force to do so.
__________________
Sailingdog Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
If you're new to the Sailnet Forums... please read this POST.
I'm curious as to how he broke his femur. The femur is one of the strongest bones in the human body. It takes a considerable amount of force to do so.
Apparently he was at the bow (leaning over the pulpit), prepping to rig another foresail and a large wave washed him across the boat to the end of his tether. The pulpit height was probably just between knee and pelvis... not hard to imagine something bad happening there.
__________________ Boating in BC waters since the '60s, sailing since 1981. Currently on our 5th boat, a 1984 Fast/Nicholson 345.
It's reasonable to question the advisability of sailing around the world alone, particularly in the waters of the southern oceans, but the height of callousness to debate the costs of rescuing one of the participants. If you've a navy, a merchant ship, or any other sea-going craft capable of helping, you're honor bound to give that help. If you're concerned about the cost you might consider abandoning the sea as she's not for you or your nation. The time for debate is pre-departure. It would not be unreasonable for the IMO to discuss the existence of abnormally risky ventures and consider having their organizers post a substantial bond or carry the requisite insurances for the perceived risk and potential expense of rescue.
__________________
“Scientists are people who build the Brooklyn Bridge and then buy it.” Wm. F. Buckley, Jr.
Considering the monies involved in outfitting one of these boats, that is a completely reasonable suggestion.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chucklesR
They (somebody, don't know who) should make these guys post a bond to defray the cost of the inevitable rescues that occur.
__________________
Sailingdog Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
If you're new to the Sailnet Forums... please read this POST.
Considering the monies involved in outfitting one of these boats, that is a completely reasonable suggestion.
From what I've read about this and other races: the teams with the deepest pockets are at a distinct advantage.
If the race is about sailing prowess, not the ability to raise money, then I don't think that adding to the financial burden of the competitors will do anything to enhance the sport.
As somebody pointed out, the navies and other rescue services are out on drills and patrols anyway. I haven't heard anybody suggest that the rescuers would rather not perform these rescues.
As a taxpayer, I wouldn't have any hesitation in supporting my government's decision to foot the bill for any maritime rescue. It would certainly be an improvement over what they waste my money on at the moment.
And before anyone has a bash about the Canadian navy etc. - we have a proud (and recent) history, as a country, of stepping up and providing solace to those in need.
__________________
1979 Nash 26'
Southern Georgian Bay
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~ Mark Twain
They (somebody, don't know who) should make these guys post a bond to defray the cost of the inevitable rescues that occur.
I'm with you on this one, Chuckles. Single handed racing around the world is not.... well, it's not necessary. When we lived in Oz in the 90s there were a number of ROW single handed racers rescued by the Aussie navy (and good on 'em for doing it), but I do understand the postion of Oz taxpayers as well. It seems to happen too often. We're not talking here about rescuing merchant seamen, or even your average cruiser who happens to get in trouble. These guys are sailing into the Southern Ocean intentionally. They race for no other purpose than to see who get's around first and who collects the big prize money and lucrative sponsorships.
The organizers of these races should be required to post big bonds to reimburse nations who are called to the aid of their racers. Only fair, IMHO.
But then, who's going to 'require' them to do so? And are the Aussies or Kiwi navies not going to come to their aid if they don't?
Last edited by billyruffn : 12-21-2008 at 08:19 PM.
Yes, but many of the rescues are in places that no one is going to be doing drills or patrols, due to how far they are from any point of land.
Quote:
Originally Posted by flyingwelshman
From what I've read about this and other races: the teams with the deepest pockets are at a distinct advantage.
If the race is about sailing prowess, not the ability to raise money, then I don't think that adding to the financial burden of the competitors will do anything to enhance the sport.
As somebody pointed out, the navies and other rescue services are out on drills and patrols anyway. I haven't heard anybody suggest that the rescuers would rather not perform these rescues.
As a taxpayer, I wouldn't have any hesitation in supporting my government's decision to foot the bill for any maritime rescue. It would certainly be an improvement over what they waste my money on at the moment.
And before anyone has a bash about the Canadian navy etc. - we have a proud (and recent) history, as a country, of stepping up and providing solace to those in need.
__________________
Sailingdog Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
If you're new to the Sailnet Forums... please read this POST.
Billy,
If you read my above post you'll see my reference to the IMO. If the IMO takes action and the race organizers are not within IMO compliance it is primae facie evidence of unseaworthiness and their marine insurance is invalidated. And, you know those boats are insured!
__________________
“Scientists are people who build the Brooklyn Bridge and then buy it.” Wm. F. Buckley, Jr.
