HI,
I don't want to go into this too much but here is some additional information:
Boat was a 2002 C&C 121 - a 40' cruiser / racer. Boat had been well maintained and updated by the owner - a very experienced sailor
They departed Bermuda bound for Long Island. I don't know all of the details but when they left Bermuda was weather models for arriving in NY were contradictory. I don't know if they were able to receive weather updates while en route
Saturday the weather turned to crap. They were about 80nm south of Long Island. They hove too and went below to rest. Probably one person on watch on deck.
A LARGE wave, estimated at 25', broke onto the boat. This shattered the carbon fiber mast into pieces. The force of the wave landing on deck wiped out the stanchions and lifelines, and bent all of the deck supports below. The crew were injured when they flew around the cabin.
I don't know why the carbon fiber mast shattered like that. I believe it was original - 20 years old. Could that have made it brittle? During the trip south (in the fall) there was an issue with the forestay. I believe the boat was repaired with a new forestay. Maybe some hidden damage?
Amazing job by the CG!
Barry