Mackinac race tragedy.

[JonEisberg]

Originally Posted by SloopJonB

I'd rather see booms raised. Helmets are an unfortunate necessity when you only have two wheels under you but I'd hate to see them on sailboats. I, myself, personally will continue to take my chances on SEAWORTHY boats that don't suddenly invert with me below decks. (although in that case, they probably wouldn't. )

Exactly... I can't imagine doing anything as dorky as wearing a helmet while sailing, on anything less than the new AC boats, or something like an Open 60 trimiran... (grin)

Having said that, however, I believe a bicycle-type helmet is a VERY valuable item to have when sailing offshore, and even if I weren't carrying a bike aboard, I'd still want a helmet aboard... Not necessarily for use while sailing, but for at least 3 other potential scenarios:

If you have to go up the rig offshore, definitely...

In serious gale or storm conditions, use of a helmet while BELOW DECKS can be a prudent move... That's when you are least aware of what might be coming, when a knockdown might take you completely by surprise... I've only done it a couple of times, but I think wearing a helmet while sleeping in storm conditions can be a good idea, that's when you are often most vulnerable to being injured in a knockdown...

And, you really want to be wearing a helmet of some sort if you have to dive on your prop or rudder in a seaway - especially with today's modern boats with their extremely beamy, flat hull sections aft, and hard-edged sugar scoop transoms, etc...

Of course, in conditions where it might occur to one to don a helmet while on deck or in the cockpit, have at it... But for the type of sailing 99.9% of us do 99.9% of the time, seems a bit silly, to me...

[davidpm]

Originally Posted by JonEisberg

.

And, you really want to be wearing a helmet of some sort if you have to dive on your prop or rudder in a seaway - especially with today's modern boats with their extremely beamy, flat hull sections aft, and hard-edged sugar scoop transoms, etc...

Sounds like a good idea in theory, would hate to be bonked by the boat bottom.
Probably need to bring some divers weights too though.
It is already pretty hard to get down to the prop as it is.
A helmet would add some more flotation

[smackdaddy]

Helmets might have helped...might not have. The woman apparently had a lot of facial trauma - which a bike helmet would have done nothing to counter.

I'm not wearing a helmet. That's just goofy. If I get taken out because of it - you guys can hammer me in-memoriam. Until then, I'll just point and laugh at you goofy-ass helmet wearers while drinking my Dark and Stormies at the helm.

[Sanduskysailor]

Helmets....you are missing the point. As a person who was on another boat 15 miles away from this incident and also who has raced on a Kiwi 35 my viewpoint is different. The report pretty much confirms my thoughts that the boat was unsuitable for the race.

Sadly the 2 that died had head trauma. A helmet might not have prevented a concussion which could have been just as fatal when you are under the boat. Thankfully the 6 others survived because of the alertness of another crew. Lake Michigan was unusually warm this year plus the air temperature was moderate. Some years the water is 10 degrees cooler along with air temps in the upper 50s. Hypothermia could have easily claimed lives. No helmet would have saved you from that.

Bottom line is that a boat needs to stay upright and at a minimum self right itself immediately. Wing Nuts didn't qualify on either count. I'd bet big money that CYC tightens up its requirements and that there are more inspections next year. The requirements are pretty precise. I had to meet them for the PH Mac last year on my boat. Fortunately I had done 18 Macs on other boats and had the advice and help of others to meet them.

[welshwind]

I just finished reading the final report. I recommend reading it including the appendices. It is all pretty compelling and enlightening. Definitely a tragedy, but we all ready knew that.

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by Sanduskysailor

The requirements are pretty precise. I had to meet them for the PH Mac last year on my boat. Fortunately I had done 18 Macs on other boats and had the advice and help of others to meet them.

Precise they may be (and elaborate and well intentioned I'm sure) but they were obviously lacking in some common sense and plain old good seamanship since that boat was allowed in the race. No matter how many fire extinguishers, PFD's, non-covered lifelines etc. were required by the rules and were onboard, one look at that boat should have disqualified it. If the race committee demonstrated the judgement expected of them, they should have laughed out loud when they got the entry form for it. What's next? Lasers and Sabots?

[Sanduskysailor]

Sloop John B I assume you read my opening statement that I thought the boat was unsuitable for the race. The Port Huron Mac hasn't let outboard monohulls do the (Cove Island) long course (although they allow them on the shorter and closer to shore Shore Course). The first time I saw Wing Nuts at Monroe Harbor before the Mac race a couple of years ago I remarked to my buddy that they must be crazy to let this boat into the race.

We had an injured crew member on our boat just before the Mac storm hit. Fortunately we had an emergency medical professional as part of the crew. He had his emergency crash kit with things like IVs and conformable splints. The injured crew started to go into shock because of the compound fracture which is serious. Fortunately he was stabilized as it was a 3+ hour rough ride to an awaiting ambulance on shore. We had him securely confined with a lee cloth and cushions in the port settee. If we would have had a 4 hp outboard and a minimal interior like Wingnuts the outcome could very well have been different. For all of those who think the CG will rescue in time you think again. In a storm like the Mac Race storm it would be hours not minutes before CG cutter or RIB could get to you and get you off the boat. In the 6 foot confused seas during the storm there is no way to offload an injured crew short of putting him in the water and having a swimmer swim him to a RIB or helicopter basket.

So although a helmet might prevent some head injuries it more prudent to have a well prepared stable boat, well stocked medical kit, at least 2 people with some emergency medical training, and good communications gear. I highly recommend to anyone doing an offshore race or passage to attend a USSA Safety at Seminar. I attended one and it is well worth it.

I'm still upset about the tragedy. Thank God for the bravery and professionalism that the crews of Sociable and the other yachts who participated in the search and rescue. The tragedy could have been easily a lot worse.

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by Sanduskysailor

Sloop John B I assume you read my opening statement that I thought the boat was unsuitable for the race. The Port Huron Mac hasn't let outboard monohulls do the (Cove Island) long course (although they allow them on the shorter and closer to shore Shore Course). The first time I saw Wing Nuts at Monroe Harbor before the Mac race a couple of years ago I remarked to my buddy that they must be crazy to let this boat into the race.

We had an injured crew member on our boat just before the Mac storm hit. Fortunately we had an emergency medical professional as part of the crew. He had his emergency crash kit with things like IVs and conformable splints. The injured crew started to go into shock because of the compound fracture which is serious. Fortunately he was stabilized as it was a 3+ hour rough ride to an awaiting ambulance on shore. We had him securely confined with a lee cloth and cushions in the port settee. If we would have had a 4 hp outboard and a minimal interior like Wingnuts the outcome could very well have been different. For all of those who think the CG will rescue in time you think again. In a storm like the Mac Race storm it would be hours not minutes before CG cutter or RIB could get to you and get you off the boat. In the 6 foot confused seas during the storm there is no way to offload an injured crew short of putting him in the water and having a swimmer swim him to a RIB or helicopter basket.

So although a helmet might prevent some head injuries it more prudent to have a well prepared stable boat, well stocked medical kit, at least 2 people with some emergency medical training, and good communications gear. I highly recommend to anyone doing an offshore race or passage to attend a USSA Safety at Seminar. I attended one and it is well worth it.

I'm still upset about the tragedy. Thank God for the bravery and professionalism that the crews of Sociable and the other yachts who participated in the search and rescue. The tragedy could have been easily a lot worse.

I did read all your post and my comments were in no way intended to be critical of you or your comments - I just pulled the "policies" bit because I wanted to add my comments about them. You and the rest of your crew are exactly what SHOULD be in a race like the Mac. The attitude, skills and prudence indicated in your post is exactly the sort of thing the race committee should be using as their standard. Instead they seem to be more focused on how close they can shave it. It's an all too common attitude these days, from yacht designers through builders to race committees. The common thread seems to be "But we're RACING". The sea doesn't care if you're racing or cruising or fishing and people are just as dead if they make big errors of judgement in any case. Saving a few seconds or minutes in a toy boat race is not worth risking anyone's life over.

I was cruising up the coast last year when the skipper had his artificial hip blow out while we were anchored. We only had a short motor in fine weather to a yacht club dock where the C.G. and RCMP marine patrol met us along with the ambulance and paramedics. That situation was a very unpleasant experience but it was like a stubbed toe compared to what you went through. You and your crewmates have my respect for your exemplary seamanship.

[ChuckA]

From sailworld via Rhode Island Yachting:

US Sailing awarded the Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal Saturday, November 5th to Sociable’s skipper, Robert Arzbaecher (Brookfield Wis.), and his crew at the race’s awards dinner at the Chicago Yacht Club for their rescue of six sailors from the yacht WingNuts which capsized on Lake Michigan in the midst of a storm during the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac.

Sociable skipper Robert Arzbaecher said, "A life jacket, a whistle and a light. My God, how simple it can be? But that’s what it was," on receiving the Hanson Rescue Medal this week. During the awards ceremony Arzbaecher marveled at how effective basic mandatory equipment was, including the simple Lifesling that many yachts carry hoping they will never have to use it.

Let's stay safe out there.
Sitting on the hard, already dreaming of spring.

[smackdaddy]

Sociable. Those guys done good. They deserve everything they get. Great decision making. Great execution.