Sailing & Boating: Rescues & Wrecks (videos)

LIVE FOOTAGE: Tall-Ship ASTRID Wreck & Rescue - 24 July 2013:

Published on Jul 25, 2013: Nautical Channel team was at the scene when the tall-ship Astrid sank after hitting the rocks off the coast of Cork, Ireland.

Recent Sailing News:

US Coast Guard rescues mariner from sailing vessel near San Miguel Island: The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a sailor near San Miguel Island Thursday, September 22, 2016.

The Coast Guard received a notification via a Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) device that provided a position just northwest of San Miguel Island.

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Forward Operating Base Point Mugu was sent to search the last known position of the EPIRB and located a 23-foot sailing vessel. The helicopter crew lowered a hand-held radio down to the individual aboard. The boater confirmed he was in distress after reporting that his anchor was not holding in the 8-10 foot seas, his mast was broken and had no engine to make way.

The helicopter crew safely hoisted the individual and transferred him to Forward Operating Base Point Mugu where he was reported to be in good condition.

An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon or EPIRB is used to alert search and rescue services in the event of an emergency. It does this by transmitting a coded message on the 406 MHz distress frequency via satellite to the nearest rescue coordination center.

Teenagers write off millionaire daddy's yacht in French Riviera | Metro News: "The Coast Guard added that the accident was caused by the teenagers’ amateurism. Lucas’ father, who is a rich industrialist from Belgium, owns a large estate in Port Grimaud, near St. Tropez. His yacht, which was built in 2009 and weighs 30 tonnes and cost £1.2m, reportedly cannot be salvaged and will likely end up in the scrapyard."

Marlins ace Jose Fernandez killed in boating accident | usatoday.com: "Fernandez was killed as a result of the impact of the crash, and did not drown, Lorenzo Veloz, an official with the Florida Wildlife Commission, confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The boat carrying Fernandez and two others was traveling at a significant speed when it struck rocks. A Coast Guard crew left the Miami station for a law enforcement patrol when it found the 32-foot boat overturned on a jetty around 3:30 a.m. Sunday, said Chief Nyxolyno Cangemi."

Miami Marlins star pitcher Jose Fernandez dies in boat crash:

Published on Sep 26, 2016: The two-time all-star's boat smashed into a rock jetty early Sunday morning, killing him and two others.

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US Coast Guard Tropical Wave Warning To Mariners, Puerto Rico, USVI

UPDATE August 25, 2016: "The Coast Guard set port condition whiskey (pdf) for Port Miami, Miami River, Port Everglades, Port of Palm Beach, Port of Ft. Pierce and all other South Florida terminals and facilities at 4 p.m. Thursday due to the expectation sustained gale force winds generated by Invest 99L may arrive within 72 hours. These ports and facilities are currently open to all commercial traffic and all transfer operations may continue while whiskey remains in effect. Sustained winds between 39 and 54 mph are possible within 72 hours. Mariners are reminded there are no safe havens in these facilities and ports are safest when the inventory of vessels is at a minimum.  All ocean-going commercial vessels and ocean-going barges greater than 500 gross tons should make plans for departing the port. Vessels desiring to remain in port must immediately contact the Captain of the Port, Coast Guard Sector Miami at (305) 535-4472, to receive permission to do so and are required to submit a safe mooring plan in writing.  Vessels bound for South Florida unable to depart 24 hours prior to threatening winds making landfall are advised to seek an alternate destination." Read more here. See also: Coast Guard urges boaters to prepare for impending severe weather.

Satellite View: GOES-East - IR Rainbow (30 minute updates)

U.S. Coast Guard press release - August 24, 2016 7:32:46 AM PDT: The U.S. Coast Guard advises mariners, recreational boaters, swimmers, surfers and the general public in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Wednesday to remain vigilant, exercise good judgment and make any preparations in anticipation to an incoming tropical wave.

"We advise citizens and boaters to make preparations and monitor official weather updates as this tropical wave moves through the area," said Capt. Robert Warren, Sector San Juan commander and Captain of the Port San Juan. "Swimmers, recreational boaters and the general public should exercise caution and stay away from shoreline rocks until weather and surf conditions normalize. We will continue to monitor the winds and sea conditions in our area of responsibility."

The Coast Guard requests that the public not call Coast Guard facilities for weather information, but that they listen to weather broadcasts and track internet updates through: 

• http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/; 
• http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?basin=atlc&fdays=2
• See also: NHC Marine Forecasts & Analyses

"Mariners should avoid unnecessary risk and use extreme caution if heading out on the water," said Capt. Megan Dean, Sector Miami Commander. "Remember to remove your EPIRB from your vessel if the vessel will not be in use. EPRIBs left aboard vessels, with no one aboard, often get activated and result in a false alert. False alerts can cause a delay in Coast Guard search and rescue operations."

Here are a few tips to help mariners protect themselves, their families and their vessels:

• Do not go out to sea in a recreational boat if you know a storm is approaching.
• Contact local marinas to ask for advice about securing your vessel.
• Marina operators are knowledgeable and can advise you on the best methods for securing your boat.
• Take action now. The effects of a storm can be felt well in advance, and bridge schedules can and often shift from their normal operating schedule. Check with local authorities before entering any storm-damaged area.
• When removing your EPIRB from your vessel, ensure it does not inadvertently activate which could signal a false alert. Furthermore, once the severe weather has passed, mariners are reminded to ensure the EPIRB devices are placed back on their vessels prior to the vessel's next use.
• Do not rush to your boat. Boaters should not place themselves in danger to get to a boat.
• Do not try to board a partially sunken boat. Seek salvage assistance from a professional. Storms move quickly and are unpredictable.

See also:

• The peak of the hurricane season – why now? | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: From mid-August through mid-October, the activity spikes, accounting for 78 percent of the tropical storm days, 87 percent of the category 1 and 2 hurricane days (Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale), and a whopping 96 percent of the major (category 3, 4 and 5) hurricane days.
• JohnTheCrowd | Sailing News: NOAA's Revised Atlantic Hurricane Forecast, Are You Prepared? (video)
• JohnTheCrowd | Sailing News: 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season, NOAA Outlook, Preparedness (videos)

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Coast Guard Mobile App, Boating Safety, Emergency Distress Equipment

Coast Guard mobile app for boating safety:

Overview of Coast Guard mobile application for boating safety for smartphones. U.S. Coast Guard video published May 12, 2015. More info: http://www.uscg.mil/mobile/. As the nation's recreational boating safety coordinator, the Coast Guard works to minimize loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and environmental harm. The Coast Guard's boating safety program involves public education programs, regulation of boat design and construction, approval of boating safety equipment, and vessel safety checks for compliance with federal and state safety requirements. The Coast Guard mobile app supports these missions by providing the essential services and information most commonly requested by boaters.

National Safe Boating Week, Coast Guard stresses importance of carrying life-saving emergency distress equipment: "... the Great Lakes Coast Guard is reminding boaters of the importance of carrying life-saving emergency distress equipment. While many boaters rely on cell phones for emergency communications on the water, personal locator beacons are much more reliable in the marine environment. The Coast Guard highly recommends all mariners equip their boats with Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons and/or their life jackets with Personal Locator Beacons.

“EPIRBs and PLBs are absolutely invaluable during emergencies because they instantly alert responders to your distress, provide a precise GPS location and give a description of your vessel when they’re properly registered,” said Mike Baron, the recreational boating safety specialist for the Coast Guard 9th District. “If your boat capsizes or you fall overboard and can’t get to your radio, these small, relatively inexpensive pieces of equipment, along with your life jacket, really could be the difference between living and dying.”

EPIRBs and PLBs may be activated manually by the push of a button or automatically when they enter the water, depending on the model. A PLB is a small battery-powered device that transmits a digital burst to a satellite once every 50 seconds, which the Coast Guard monitors. These devices have a shelf life of 6 to 8 years. PLBs send out a continuous signal for 48 hours unless turned off. New search-and rescue technology aboard Coast Guard Dolphin helicopters and 45-foot response boats can now hone in on the signal of a transmitting PLB. The 406Mhz PLB signals are coded, allowing non-PLB signals to be filtered out by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration operated search and rescue satellite aided tracking.

Additionally, in accordance with federal law, recreational boats 16 feet and longer are required to carry visual distress signals such as flares, smoke signals or non-pyrotechnic devices, and vessels 12 meters or longer are required to carry sound-producing devices such as whistles, bells and gongs. State and local laws may require further safety equipment.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration search and rescue satellite aided tracking system counts that in 2015, 138 people were rescued at sea in 46 different incidents by using an EPIRB or PLB. In the U.S., more than 7,800 people have been rescued by EPIRB or PLB since 1982.
Coast Guard urges float plans: "The Coast Guard urges all boaters to file a float plan with family or friends during National Safe Boating Week and the boating season. A float plan, similar to a life jacket, is a life-saving device on paper, which can make a difference in rescue and response time in the event of an emergency. Before boaters embark, they should leave detailed information about their trip with a family member or friend who is staying ashore. Include all information that would help rescuers in case of emergency, such as how many people are aboard, where you are leaving from and returning to, your intended route, how long you will be out and a description of your boat. However, do not file float plans with the Coast Guard. A float plan is equally effective for the owner of a kayak or flat-bottom skiff as it is for a large cruiser, a 90-foot sport-fishing vessel or luxury yacht. Typically, the owner or master of the vessel is the individual who prepares the float plan; however, any member of the crew can be assigned the preparation and filing duty. To obtain a float plan form, click here for a downloadable form."

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Sailing Around the World, Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15, Videos

Sailing Around the World, Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 - published on Jun 29, 2015 - Nine months, over 40,000 miles - the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 has been epic, exhilirating and enthralling


Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 - published on Jun 27, 2015 - On the final day in Gothenburg the fans lined the shore to watch the final deciding in-port race of the series. With the trophy still up for grabs there was still much to play for.


Cape Horn Live replay | Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 - Published on Mar 30, 2015 - From the Volvo Ocean Race Headquarters in Alicante, Genny Tulloch and CEO Knut Frostad catch up live with the entire fleet live, via satellite, as they near the Mt. Everest of sailing, Cape Horn.

more info: volvooceanrace.com

Other Sailing news:

Coast Guard suspends search for missing Olympic sailor in Miami: "Search efforts for a missing Olympic sailor, Trevor Moore, in Biscayne Bay, Florida, were suspended Saturday evening at sunset. The Coast Guard and partner agencies covered more than 510 square nautical miles and completed more than 29 search patterns before suspending the three day search. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones affected," said Capt. Michael Long, Coast Guard Sector Miami deputy commander. "Despite the tireless search efforts by multiple agencies and good Samaritans, we were unable to find Mr. Moore." On Thursday, Moore, a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic sailing team, was reported missing when security personnel at Dinner Key Marina, Miami, found his unmanned 16-foot boat at the marina just before 6 p.m.  The boat's engine was running and Moore's personal belongs were found onboard. The Coast Guard diverted an MH-65 rescue helicopter crew based out of Miami and launched a rescue boat crew from Station Miami Beach to search for the missing sailor.  Additional boat crews from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, City of Miami Police Department, the National Park service and good Samaritans joined in the three day search along with a helicopter crew from Miami Dade County Fire Rescue. FWC is leading the investigation into the incident." (source: US Coast Guard)

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Route du Rhum start video; Coast Guard Sailboat Rescue video

Le départ de la Route du Rhum - Destination... by routedurhum
More info: Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe

Scuttlebutt Sailing News
Legendary Route du Rhum solo transatlantic race now underway
Scuttlebutt Sailing News
(November 2, 2014) – As the tenth edition of the legendary Route du Rhum solo Transatlantic race to Guadeloupe started off Saint Malo, France this ...
Route du Rhum: Setting sail for Pointe-à-Pitre - euronews
Tough start but then fast conditions forecast for Route du Rhum - My Sailing
Route du Rhum: A great start in Saint-Malo for Guillemot on Safran - Sail World

91 boats set off in Route du Rhum race
Yahoo News
SAINT-MALO, France (AP) — Ninety-one boats set off Sunday in the Route du Rhum trans-Atlantic race, a 3,542-nautical mile (6,560-kilometer) ...

 

Scuttlebutt Sailing News Legendary Route du Rhum solo transatlantic race now underway Scuttlebutt Sailing News ... in Class 40 on Tales 2, Britain's Conrad Humphreys 20th on Cat Phones Built For It and Miranda Merron sailing Campagne de France in 22nd.

Times of Oman
Route du Rhum sails off with Oman's participation
Times of Oman
Saint Malo (France): The tenth edition of the legendary Route du Rhum sailing race got under way in Saint Malo, France, on Sunday with the ...
Gavignet flies flag of Oman with pride at start of the Route du Rhum - Sail World


ITV News
Veteran sailor sets off on Route du Rhum race
ITV News
The veteran sailor is competing in the Route du Rhum race from St Malo in France - forty-five years after he became the first man to sail alone non-stop ...
Route du Rhum - Sir Robin Knox-Johnston starts solo Transatlantic race - Sail World

Two people rescued from sailboat by Coast Guard off NC: "A man and a woman were hoisted off of their sailboat in heavy seas by the Coast Guard Saturday evening. According to a news release, watchstanders at the Coast Guard 5th District received an emergency alert from a electronic positioning indicator radio beacon (EPIRB) at about 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon. An EPIRB emits a signal which provides location information to those who receive it...."

Volvo Ocean Race:

Stuff.co.nz
Abu Dhabi team clings on to Volvo Ocean Race lead
Yahoo News
ALICANTE, Spain (AP) — Boats in the seven-strong Volvo Ocean Race fleet were skirting a group of South Atlantic icebergs on Sunday with at least ...
2014 - 15 Volvo Ocean Race - The magic number - Sail World
Volvo Ocean Race: Leaders line up for Cape Town finish - Sail World
Volvo Ocean Race: It's down to who wants it more - Scuttlebutt Sailing News

Volvo Ocean Race updates: 

JohnTheCrowd.com: VOR 

Volvo Ocean Race official website 

Volvo Ocean Race dashboard
MeteoEarth.com - Interactive 3D globe weather: Volvo Ocean Race


Scuttlebutt Sailing News Buddy Melges: My Ultimate Sailing moment Scuttlebutt Sailing News Photographer Sharon Green, in her newly released coffee table book 30 Years of UltimateSailing, sought out the leaders in the sport to share their ... 

Washington College Sailing 10th at War Memorial WashingtonCollegeSports.com THROGGS NECK, N.Y. -- The Washington College sailing team finished 10th of 18 teams at the War Memorial, the MAISA Fall Co-Ed Dinghy ...

 

Scuttlebutt Sailing News Matt Burge and Toby Lewis represent Osprey, win Endeavour Championship Scuttlebutt Sailing News Charlie Roome and Jeremy Stephens (Lark) sailed well and managed win from Tom Gillard and Sam Brearey (Streaker) by just one second on the ... 

Lotto grant to make big splash at sailing club Slough and Windsor Observer A sailing club that has challenged water sports lovers since 1976 has been awarded a whopping grant by the National Lottery – its second in three ...

 

My Sailing Sailors compete despite wind, hail and snow in Hobart My Sailing Despite these wintery conditions, more than 100 of Tasmania's off-the-beach sailorstoday contested day two of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania's ... 

Globe North calendar The Boston Globe UNFURLING THE SAILS The end of the sailing season is being marked Sunday in Salem, with the conclusion of Downrigging Weekend. 

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