Forums > Sailing General

Keel-less and clueless on why

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Created by garymalmgren > 9 months ago, 18 May 2023
FabulousPhill
VIC, 320 posts
18 May 2023 10:46AM
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They're not clueless Gary. They won't admit things. There's a difference.

Trek
NSW, 1188 posts
18 May 2023 12:36PM
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I agree with you Phil. Something wasn't strong enough!

julesmoto
NSW, 1569 posts
18 May 2023 7:38PM
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I'm happy that we have the relevant facts from the previous thread on this even though it is not an official pronouncement.

The changes to the way the keel is attached in subsequent models is enough of an admission that the removable keel wasn't attached in such a manner that it was readily ascertainable that it was fully bolted home. I was also personally told by someone in the know that 1 bolt ripped the fibreglass surrounding it out and the other didn't. Clearly the bolt that didn't rip out fibreglass failed.

If I recall correctly one of the girls was coming on watch and was only putting her life jacket on at the time the yacht extremely quickly inverted due to the loss of the keel. The other girl tried to deploy her personal epirb but the aerial broke off. Neither of the girls were able to dive down after inversion to find the boats epirb. An Apple watch phone supposedly saved the day. There was also nothing to hang on to on the inverted yacht bar the remnants of a rudder attachment.

My takeaways are don't sail on extreme lightweight racing boats like that offshore (esp new designs and at night) and be very careful when flipping up the aerial on your personal epirb. I also bought a phone watch but must confess I don't use it.

Yes however it is disgusting that Royal Prince Alfred Yacht club, the manufacturers, insurance companies and legal proceedures have prevented official pronouncements from which yachties can learn and hopefully avoid similar disasters or near disasters.

At least the girls stuck together hanging on to the yacht. The disaster last week off Fraser Island highlights what can happen when the yacht is gone and the survivors become separated with at least one survivor not having a personal epirb.

garymalmgren
1352 posts
18 May 2023 7:40PM
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They're not clueless Gary. They won't admit things. There's a difference.

To clarify, Phill.
I was not suggesting that the investigators are clueless.
It is us, the general sailing public who can benefit from information concerning a loss who are "clueless".

Unsafe boat? Unsafe design? Unsafe construction?
Dunno. Haven't gotta clue.

gary



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"Keel-less and clueless on why" started by garymalmgren