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another missing sailor

11K views 79 replies 35 participants last post by  Danny33 
#1 ·
#2 · (Edited)
The guy was a novice sailor on a new to him boat. He was going to do a fairly long coastal trip (60 nm) with the Santa Ana winds blowing off the land. He had cases of Corona beer aboard...

I see so many problems with this, it ain't funny. First, he was a novice sailor on a new-to-him boat. That alone is a recipe for disaster.

Second, he didn't file a float plan. That's why it's taken three months for anyone to realize he was missing-and the boat is now in Hawaii.

Third, the cases of Corona beer doesn't lead me to believe Bunker was the type to sail sober. Sailing and drinking don't mix well. Sailing singlehanded, on a new-to-you boat and drinking are a good way to win a Darwin Award.

Fourth, the Santa Ana winds were starting up. Santa Ana winds can be truly hellacious. I don't know if I'd want to be out sailing in them myself.

I'd be curious to know if the boat had jacklines run. I'm willing to bet it didn't. I'm also willing to bet he didn't have a harness and tether.

Finally, the boat had some indications of a fire aboard, yet no PAN-PAN or MAYDAY call was ever heard. If I had a fire aboard, I'd at least want to issue a PAN-PAN about it... wouldn't you???

UGH... it's stories like this that make me wonder.
 
#4 ·
That's sad. and I agree also with SD. Sometimes people think our responses to their dreams are too harsh, but I think this is why. We try to keep people from doing moronic things before they have things and skills in place to accomplish them.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Basically, a MAYDAY is an call for immediate assistance. A PAN-PAN is a call to warn people that you've got a problem and that you may need assistance.

If you make a MAYDAY call and the USCG shows up, they'll be somewhat put out if you don't have a boat that is sinking or on fire or a person with a serious medical emergency... You don't make a MAYDAY call if you've run out of fuel, like a boat did last year... or if you're just tired and want to get off, which has also happened.

BTW, if you don't know the difference between Securité, PAN-PAN and MAYDAY you probably should learn.

SECURITÉ calls are basically informational in nature. You might use it when you're about to enter a narrow channel and don't have a working engine, that you saw a drifting log or other potentially damaging flotsam/jetsam/debris. It is also used to report weather updates and such. It is the least urgent of the distress calls.

PAN-PANs are a bit more urgent, and generally, as I posted above, indicate that their is no immediate risk of losing the boat or imminent loss of life. This is often used if you go aground in a soft grounding... like on a sand bar, or if you are taking on water, but the pumps are keeping up with it. It basically says to the boats nearby you... keep an ear out, cause I might be calling for help if I can't deal with this myself. They're a bit more serious than Securités, but not as serious as MAYDAYs.

MAYDAYs are the most serious of distress calls. This should generally only be used when there is imminent danger of losing life or the boat, or the boat has already been lost. If you're aground, with storm waves pounding you onto a rock jetty-this is a MAYDAY situation, not a PAN-PAN. If you're on fire and the extinguishers have failed to stop it... this is MAYDAY situation. If someone has been hit by the boom and one pupil is blown... or had a heart attack... it is a MAYDAY situation...

It is not a MAYDAY situation if you are just tired and want to get off the ship. It is not a MAYDAY situation if you're out of fuel and becalmed. And finally, it is not a MAYDAY situation if you run out of cold beer, even if some of you guys think this is equivalent to the world ending. :)

BTW, if you use any of these fraudulently or without good reason, you can possibly be charged with fines, the costs of any SAR operations and even jail time in extreme cases.
 
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#60 ·
BTW, if you don't know the difference between Securité, PAN-PAN and MAYDAY you probably should learn.
I think you are being too diplomatic, SD. Anyone who is out on the water without basic knowledge like this is a danger to him/herself and to others.

Ccrider, you should take a Basic Boating course with the USCGA, and also buy a book like "Chapman Piloting and Seamanship" where there is a whole chapter on radio procedures. You should know this stuff even if you only go as crew on someone else's boat.
 
#12 ·
If a crew broke his/her arm and I was single-handing in heavy air, I would issue a PAN-PAN to indicate that I had injured crew (non-critical) and to arrange via the Coast Guard/marine police to meet me at dock to get them off safely. In this case, the PAN-PAN doesn't indicate a damaged or boat-specific situation, but more like "here I come, and I might not be as fastidious about my maneuvering as per normal".

If the air was heavy enough, I'd want an escort in, where possible, or also if possible, to take on a crew from the CG or the police to help me get in quicker.

Middle of the ocean...you're probably not going to do this unless you are dead in the water and can't get underway at all. There's plenty of scope for a PAN-PAN that doesn't include "immediate or imminent threat to life".
 
#15 ·
Would this be when your rudder went AWOL... :)
 
#16 · (Edited)
No, it wasn't - when the rudder and my ship parted ways I didn't radio anything abnormal (it wasn't a Securite, Pan-Pan or Mayday situation - I wasn't in danger and nobody listening on VHF would have been able to help).
The Pan-Pan I issued was calling in a fire I had just seen started in the high mountain of Utah north of Bryce Canyon - started by a lightning strike from a CuNim whose downdrafts had almost caused me to crash/land my glider several minutes before (my adrenaline was still pumping from that scare and my voice was all squeeky for a while). I never found out what happened, but am happy I did it. It took a while to get the information relayed to the forestry service, though. After a bit I got in contact with another plane about 30,000 feet above me, who called it in to Salt Lake City, who then called the forestry service.
 
#17 ·
Zanshin—

You probably should have made a Securité call when your rudder fell off. :) A sailboat that has no way of steering or limited ways of steering should probably warn people nearby that is the case. :)
 
#20 ·
Well, now you know for next time... ;) I seriously hope there isn't a next time, but you're ready for it now. :)
 
#21 ·
I like to give people the benefit of doubt. Just because you have a case of beer does not mean that you sail, drive or fly under the influence. I am sure that lots of sailors have beer/wine onboard so that they can enjoy a drink once they get to the destination.

With a fire onboard he should have called a Mayday if evacuating the boat for a dinghy. Maybe the fire was such that he could not get to the radio, and in a panic jumped in the dinghy. In this case I would probably have left the dinghy tied to the boat since it is easier for potential rescuers to find a boat vs. a dingy. If he boarded a dingy with Santa Ana winds the dinghy would probably have been blown to sea.

A novice sailor should not sail 60 nm along the coast. I am a novice sailor in the sense that I have not sailed much in the last 20 years, before that I sailed a fair bit, owned a small charter boat business, and would have no hesitation sailing a boat 60 miles today.

When are you not a novice sailor anymore?

I can think of a few novice sailors that have sailed around the world, Miles and Beryl Smeeton for one.

Don't always be so fast in passing judgment!
 
#22 ·
Corona beer isn't exactly a rare or especially expensive item in San Diego. Having cases of it aboard a boat for a 60 nm sail, when you're on-board alone leads me to believe that it wasn't just cargo. You don't need cases of it to enjoy a drink once you get to a destination.
I like to give people the benefit of doubt. Just because you have a case of beer does not mean that you sail, drive or fly under the influence. I am sure that lots of sailors have beer/wine onboard so that they can enjoy a drink once they get to the destination.
Even if he was able to deal with the fire, a PAN-PAN call should have been made at a minimum. It does look like he was able to deal with the fire, since the boat didn't burn to the waterline and sink. Most fires on boats do not self-extinguish... and if the fire was that large or involved, chances are very likely that we wouldn't have even heard of this boat.
With a fire onboard he should have called a Mayday if evacuating the boat for a dinghy. Maybe the fire was such that he could not get to the radio, and in a panic jumped in the dinghy. In this case I would probably have left the dinghy tied to the boat since it is easier for potential rescuers to find a boat vs. a dingy. If he boarded a dingy with Santa Ana winds the dinghy would probably have been blown to sea.
The guy was a software engineer, and didn't own a charter boat business. And we're talking about setting off with the Santa Ana winds starting up. Have you ever experienced Santa Ana winds??? Yes, there have been many novice sailors that have taken off on longer voyages than even this. Tania Aebi comes to mind. She was lucky. She was having issues with her celestial navigation and was overdue into her first stop along the way IIRC.
A novice sailor should not sail 60 nm along the coast. I am a novice sailor in the sense that I have not sailed much in the last 20 years, before that I sailed a fair bit, owned a small charter boat business, and would have no hesitation sailing a boat 60 miles today.

When are you not a novice sailor anymore?

I can think of a few novice sailors that have sailed around the world, Miles and Beryl Smeeton for one.

Don't always be so fast in passing judgment!
 
#24 ·
easy trip

Dana Point to San Diego is a cakewalk. Even in Santa Anas.

It's long, but the seas are docile and the wind is great, even in winter (sans storms). Stay over in Oceanside and it's really just 2 easy daysails. San Diego harbor is a mamoth bay that you would have to actually steer away from to avoid.

However, I remember the Santa Anas really cooking around that time, even on the coast. They were the worst Santa Anas I have seen in 40 years. These winds could have been trouble.

The seas would have still been mild with Santa Anas, as they are on offshore wind. An experienced sailor could have weathered these winds with sail reduction and proper angle of attack, however this guy may not have been experienced.
 
#27 ·
One of my hats at work is as Safety Manager where I have to be objectiv. When I first looked at this tread I was wondering what the weather was like at the time. It is not always easy to find historic weather but I just hound this:

Special Weather Statement
October 3, 2007 - 1amPDT (Wednesday)

INLAND EMPIRE...SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS...SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS...SANTA CLARITA VALLEY....CAJON PASS....SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS...RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS...ORANGE COUNTY VALLEYS AND FOOTHILLS...SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS...


A MODERATE SANTA ANA WIND EVENT LOOKS POSSIBLE BY THE WEEKEND. TO BE COMPLETELY SURE WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH MORE RESEARCH WILL BE NEEDED HOWEVER BY SATURDAY NIGHT A 1029MB HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL BE CENTERED OVER THE GREAT BASIN. THIS WILL ALLOW RAPID COOLING UNDER IT WITH TEMPERATURES DROPPING TO 20 DEGREES OR LOWER IN THE GREAT BASIN.

THE TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE AND HIGH PRESSURE LOCATION IN RESPECT TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILL ALLOW WINDS TO COME OUT OF THE NORTH AND NORTHEAST THROUGH THE PASSES AND CANYONS INTO THE INLAND EMPIRE AREAS, AND THEN STREAM OUT OF THE SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS AS WELL AFFECTING THE ORANGE COUNTY AREA.

OWS FORMULA IS ESTIMATING THE WINDS TO BE 40 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT AFTER 11PM, AND PEAKING SOMETIME SUNDAY MORNING AROUND 4AM - 6AM. THE WINDS SHOULD RAPIDLY DIE OFF THROUGHOUT THE AFTERNOON SUNDAY.

FIRE DANGERS WILL BE HIGH ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA, AND IT IS POSSIBLE WE WILL BE LOOKING AT A RED FLAG WARNING FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SO EVERYONE NEEDS TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE UPDATES FOR FURTHER NEWS ON THAT. AS OF NOW OWS CANNOT CALL A FIRE EVENT UNTIL IT GETS CLOSER HOWEVER WITH THE SANTA ANA WINDS BLOWING, FIRE CONCERNS ARE ALWAYS GREAT. OWS WILL NOTIFY THE PROPER PEOPLE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS TO REMIND THEM OF THIS EVENT. ALL RESIDENTS IN THE FIRE KNOWN AREAS TAKE NOTE AND WATCH OUT FOR SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERS.

IF ANYTHING CHANGES OWS WILL LET YOU KNOW. THIS IS JUST A FRIENDLY WATCH OUT FOR YOU AHEAD OF TIME.



K. MARTIN
 
#28 ·
Here is a novice question,,,,,I know how to radio in a mayday....but what is the proper way to announce a pan-pan or a securerite'? Would you say "Pan-pan, pan-pan, this is vessel abc we are taking on water but the pumps are keeping up." Then give your location and so-on? How would you phrase it over the radio.
 
#29 · (Edited)
Sample message (format ok, contents rubbish) - you want to say to whom the message is addressed, where you are and where you are going, the nature of the urgency, any action you hope someone might take and/or action you have taken/will take and then sign off. All that without too much wasted airtime. It is difficult to do absolutely correctly when under stress.

"Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan. All Stations, All Stations, All Stations. 15m sailing vessel `Sobriety` location 23.8° South, 133.9° E bearing 090 at 5 knots. Have run out of alcohol, but DTs are no longer incapacitating captain. Heading erratically for nearest bar. Might need assistance if pink elephants appear. Standby on 16, `Sobriety` out."
 
#30 · (Edited)
The protocol is such:

1. "PAN-PAN [1-2 second pause] PAN-PAN [1-2 second pause] PAN-PAN" {pronounced "pahn-pahn"}

2. "All Stations (or name of a particular vessel)"

3. "This is (your boat name) [1-2 second pause] (your boat name) [1-2 second pause](Your boat name)"

4. "We (nature of emergerncy)"

5. "WE REQUIRE (type of assistance required, or other useful info such as position, description of your vessel, and / or number people on board."

6. "This is (your boat name) Over"

It is important to note that not to go overboard with descriptions, and to make the call trying to be panicky - instead taking a deep breath and be calm and talk slowly and clearly. A summary of description as listed above instead of full blown details (ie the writing of a novel - give what is pertinent) - as you are trying to hail someone and state the emergency...

If you transmit a such and you no longer need assistance then:

1. "PAN-PAN , PAN-PAN " {pronounced "pahn-pahn"}

2. "HELLO ALL STATIONS, HELLO ALL STATIONS"

3. "This is (your boat name) "

4. "TIME IS (transmission by 24 hr clock)"

5. "CANCEL PAN-PAN"

6. "This is (your boat name) Over"
 
#31 ·
We really can't make too many conclusions about what happened based on the terrific investigative reporting. Who knows if it was cases of Corona, a six pack of Corona or one freaking bottle. The media is notorious for rushing to press with stories without having their facts straight.

They should also spend just a wee bit more time proofing the article before publishing it. Check this quote from the MSNBC article:

"Maybe he fell asleep while sleeping"

Maybe he did. Or maybe he woke up while he was awake. Or maybe he went for a swim while he was swimming. Or perhaps he had a beer while he was drinking his beer.
 
#32 ·
We really can't make too many conclusions about what happened based on the terrific investigative reporting. Who knows if it was cases of Corona, a six pack of Corona or one freaking bottle. The media is notorious for rushing to press with stories without having their facts straight.
They should also spend just a wee bit more time proofing the article before publishing it. Check this quote from the MSNBC article:
Careful !!!! You'll get them pissed, they will join the Hollywood writers strike - then we'll have no TV to watch .... And... no newspapers to read :eek: ...... and it's Winter I've Got to Do Something :D
 
#33 · (Edited)
Lectronic Lattitude 38 has a little write up including a picture of the cabin interior. It does look like a half dozen boxes of beer stored under the companion way ladder but it looks like only one box is open. The article says that the Coast Guard speculates the fella made it down to San Diego and waited off the coast for day break. They further speculate that he may have fallen asleep and then started a cigarette fire in the upholstry and then jumped overboard.

I'm also not much of a fan of "monday quarterbacking" but it seems that it's human nature.

http://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/lectronicday.lasso?date=2008-01-09&dayid=56#Story2
 
#34 ·
Erps-

The other article said it was the television that had caught fire, according to a USCG officer, so I don't see how the LL38 is getting a cigarette-caused fire, unless the USCG has changed its mind on what happened. The MSNBC story names a USCG officer though, and the LL38 doesn't name anyone in specific.
 
#36 ·
Of course, if it was the upholstery that was singed and he had fallen asleep with a cigarette... it is possible that what caught fire was him... and that the boat was sitting at anchor or adrift when he decided to jump overboard to extinguish the flames.
 
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