US Sailing Investigating California Sailing Deaths

US Sailing Investigating California Sailing Deaths

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Nine deaths in two separate offshore sailing races originating in California have prompted investigations by US Sailing (www.ussailing.org). The race tragedies follow last summer’s fatal accident in the 2011 Chicago-Mackinac Race, in which two sailors died, and the near-fatal accident in the 2011 Rolex Fastnet race, which Practical Sailor reported on in the May 2012 issue.

In the first California accident, five of eight crew aboard the Sydney 38 Low Speed Chase were killed on April 14, when a breaking wave struck the boat while rounding South Farallon Island, outside San Francisco Bay. One survivor managed to stay with the boat as it was hurled onto the rocks; the rest of the crew was washed into the water. None were tethered to the boat at the time of the accident.

Investigators are also looking into the cause of the second accident, during the Newport-Ensenada Race off of Southern California. Based on data from a Spot Satellite Tracker that was reportedly on the boat, it is presumed all four crew of the Hunter 376 Aegean were killed when the boat motored into the rocky north end of North Coronado Island shortly after midnight on April 29 in calm conditions.

The Farallones accident prompted the U.S. Coast Guard to call for an unprecedented “stand down” of offshore racing in the San Francisco Bay area. According to a USCG statement, “Recent offshore accidents have highlighted the need to assess offshore race organizers’ safety plans and procedures.”

Darrell Nicholson
Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him at darrellnicholson.com.