Rescue at Sea - Mid-Atlantic Mayday (Atlantic Crossing Part 3) Ep 37 Monday Never Sailing
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- čas přidán 20. 01. 2017
- On December 21st, 2016 the Coombes family were forced to abandon Dove II, their sailboat and home, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. This video is the account of their rescue from our perspective as the crew of Tilly Mint - the sailboat that answered the mayday.
For those of you who follow along with our Monday Never adventures, this video is coming out of sequence. We think that it is important to tell this story in as close to real-time as possible to help garner support for this family.
UPDATE - Jan 24, 2017 Thanks to the incredible generosity of hundreds of people, the fundraising goal has been surpassed by a mile, so we're closing the campaign. The outpouring of support has been truly incredible. You all are a testament to the goodness of people. - Will
** Update - Jan 28, 2017 ** The Coombes family is still searching for their boat and have written a detailed account of the rescue from their perspective. They have also created a new GoFundMe page for those of you interested in learning more and further supporting their efforts: www.gofundme.com/wxjjvvk-keep...
You can also find out more information by reading the family's blog account: westerlyadventures.wordpress....
** 2020 Update - as far as we know, the vessel was never found.
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Music: Epidemic Sound - share.epidemicsound.com/p9k6yb
Camera Equipment:
- PRIMARY: Sony a6000: amzn.to/2bPrpT2
- WIDE ANGLE: GoPro: amzn.to/29XJRpz
That's my favorite part of land too.
"Eat food and run around!"
Kids get it.
A very powerful story, extremely well told. You were truly angels to that family. Feel bad for the family of Dove II, but they're alive and together. Everything else can be replaced. God bless you all!
Sir, you and the Captain of the cargo ship deserves a Bells! 10/10.
This is not the first time I've heard a big ship was unable to bring people aboard due to the distance from sea to deck. I expect the cost of a davit-mounted boat plus the liability involved would make it unlikely ships will be set up as rescuers anytime soon.
@@ammoalamo6485 That's what happened in 1994 when the Estonia sank Ships where on site in very short order but they could not take aboard people floating in life-rafts because of the sea state.
@@AdurianJ And it is weird because according to new laws after Estonia, all ships of that size should have a MOR (means of rescue) raft. Kind of like that life raft that they transferred between the ships in but sturdier and meant to be able to be hoisted with a crane. It is meant to be able to be used in these kind of situations or when someone is in the water. Of course it is not without risks especially not when there are waves, but it shows the systems that have been developed isn't enough.
Ammo Alamo - it’s so unfortunate that the concern over tort law introduces the question of liability in circumstances such as this.
@@ammoalamo6485 The only thing a big ship can do is to lower their own rescue boat BUT the modern ships have that rescueboat at the back of the ship and plonge form high position in the water , the crew can't bring it back in that high position.. a pity
Nicely treated! This story is compelling and gripping. I've been in television journalism all of my 40 plus year career and seldom have I found unscripted reality stories documented any better and told with such care and compassion. Putting the camera aside during the climactic moments of the rescue to render assistance is a testament of responsible ethics of a concerned human being rather than a sensationalizing reporter bent on documenting human suffering and carnage. You covered the gap in video with the most tasteful soundbite narratives that let us know what we needed to know and allowed our minds to picture it. This is one story that needs to be preserved for many more to see.
Absolutely agree
Well said.
Your observations are beautifully put into words
I couldn't have written it better. Very well said
You are exactly right
High praise for sure
Simply amazing. I spent 20 years in the emergency services and you did EVERYTHING correctly . No tunnel vision and everyone was saved.
How people come together to help is wonderful. A huge cargo vessel staying on station for days at massive financial cost, many probably wouldn’t have done this. The wonderful yacht crew who went out of their way and at own personal sacrifice, time and effort. this an is extraordinary. Thank you this restores my faith in humanity.
@@charonstyxferryman I agree been sailing for many moons and one of the first things I was taught, always respond to an emergency it could be you that needs help.
They are obligated by law to stay and help
its like the code you do it not a question you do it, where ever your sailing sail there I have sailed for about three years total probably and have needed a call 1 time 3 boats came and have responded to two never been a massive inconvenience I think it might be sailors love the ocean not where there sailing but sailing so sailing somewhere else to help people well its an easy choice
In WW1 and WW2 the Germans and Allies would have navel battles but despite this who ever was still standing at the end of the day would rescue the sailors - friend or foe because whilst they may be enemies, at the end of the day the sea was still the greatest 'enemy'
The code of conduct at sea is very different to land
While it was a good thing to do.
100% of sailors would have done it. We are responsible for ourselves and each other. Once you hear the call you have a moral and legal obligation to come to someone’s aid.
Watching the little ones at the bow without life jackets was freakin’ me out but damn - to the crew of the Tilly Mint - EXTRAORDINARY!!! You handled this so beautifully, compassionately, professionally, and BRAVELY! So deeply impressed with all you did.
Bloody irresponsible and I see such all too often.
My thoughts exactly. I know when you’re literally living on board all the time they often don’t wear them but when on deck they should. My dad made us wear our anytime we were forward or out of the cockpit, or in even slightly bigger seas.
Mesmerizing. We once had to tow a 21 footer for a couple of hours in from St. Catherine's Sound off Savannah and we really felt like mariner heroes, but MARINE HERO has just been redefined to me. And you are right... Fuel permitting there is only one answer to a distress call... and that is, "What are your coordinates?"
Very well presented too... and very thoughtful to start AND FINISH the fund drive for the Coombes.
I really appreciated the forethought that you gave to the job at hand, and the way you paused to consider the options. You're an excellent crew, and I'm glad no one was injured.
And "Hats Off" to the Skipper and or Pilot of the Cargo ship for doing their best, making any contribution they could, and staying on hand until the rescue was complete.
I've often felt that the best night's rest is the night after a day spent on the water. The only BETTER night's sleep than the night after a day spent on the water... is the night after saving children and their parents from the unforgiving sea. Thank you for the account. May the wind always be at your back. May the outcome give you many nights of fine sleep during your life.
The crew of the Tilly Mint.
Your youtube account of the rescue of the Coombes family from the Atlantic is truly awe inspiring. I have sailed all my life and had a few “moments” myself in the southern ocean, were life could have been lost, but nothing like this. And you had the added pressure of small children to rescue and protect.
I am staggered by your professionalism, your courage and your pragmatic level headed approach to the rescue. In a world that in recent months has become more and more febrile and polarised - you give us all hope for your generation.
You are all hero’s in my book - not necessarily for the rescue, even though that was extraordinary, but for the way you dealt with the rescue. You stepped back, took a breath, discussed, and solved problems under mounting pressure and stress, knowing that this is not a percentage game. In these situations you either succeed or fail with tragic consequences. There is no middle ground. Just knowing that, is a responsibility that few can rise to.
You proved to cyclical older people like myself, that there are, in your generation people who have courage, commitment, grace, understatement, humanity and common sense. It gives me hope for our future.
You are a credit to us all as human beings. And after the rescue, your ongoing compassion and dedication to try and make it right for this family is a testament to your strength of character and commitment to your fellow man. I am personally humbled by your empathy and courage.
With utmost respect.
Dennis Broadfield
(a crusty old sailor)
No one could have said it better.
But, we forgot to mention their navigation abilities, nothing short of brilliant.
Dennis Broadfield
Words out of my mouth.
@cornskid i take it your not a sailor?
This episode brought tears to my eyes. How sad this family lost everything, but how fantastic it was you were there to assist them. Great job guys!
awww....poor people in a million dollar boat...ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
I bet you sent these millionaires money didnt ya...sad
MJ Sailing 8
Yeah yeah I thought when I read your comment.. but by the time I saw the children boarding the life raft I did tear up.. nice job to the crew of all ships
Me too, heartbreaking to see those kids having to leave their dad behind. So good to see you turned back and picked him up.
Great job captain and crew.
MJ Sailing -sad, yes but buy insurance or have money put in savings. Bad things happen and you need to be prepared....😀
I was on a boat that sank 70 miles offshore and luckily we had an EPIRB which very likely saved our lives. We were only in the water for about an hour. This rings home to me. Thank you to everyone who helped save the crew of the other boat! Great job!
What an amazing story! You guys were so professional and yet so caring to the needs of this family!
I pray they can miraculously have their boat restored!
i'm a grown man of 34 years and this video made me cry instantly. thinking about being out there in the middle of the ocean, fearing for your life and the lifes of your family and then hearing that there are people coming to help are the saddest and most beautiful things in the world. of course then i had to go to the coombs' blog and read the whole story which made me cry some more....
great job guys, thanks for saving them, for the great video and for setting up the gofundme page, you are awesome!
thanks to all the kind people who have helped this family, offered support, gave them clothes, a place to stay or a little money.......good to know that there are still so many nice people out there!
There is no more a noble thing than a coordinated effort of perfect stranger fellow mariners to save lives at sea.
Fearing for your life and your family's......something he should've thought about BEFORE setting sail.
Oh for gods sakes.
Eat less tofu
**UPDATE - Jan 24** Thank you all so much! Your generosity has been overwhelming. The fundraising goal has been surpassed by a mile so we're closing the campaign for now. The outpouring of support has been truly incredible. - Will
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You brought tears to my eyes by being human beings and giving up everything to help those in need.
Monday Never
David White what did they give up????????????? They made a diversion of their route to do what any Mariner would do.... answer the call of another in trouble..... Yes, they were Being Humans but could also land up in crap had they NOT helped and were found to be nearby .... and by jolly you will be found out with modern tech (AIS etc.)
Guys - you are truly wonderful (as was the rest of the crew). And going back to wind on the Atlantic is never much fun, least of all when the trades are strong. Glad everyone survived, and I'm also glad to call you two friends :)
Monday Never w
Nicely done all around. Not meant in ANY way as a criticism of any of your actions I offer the following: If you find yourself doing it again some day, there's a technique I learned from 10 years experience as towboat skipper working in chaotic conditions (seas/current)... if you want to make connection with a disabled vessel in lumpy conditions, stream a line astern (I had the advantage of a 600' floating towing hawser on the towboat and now carry a 300' coil of 3/8 floating rope for this purpose on my Pacific Seacraft 40) make a slow pass upwind of them..., then gradually ease across their bow ahead towing the trailing line alongside, allowing them to snag the line as it slips past.... (the beauty of the floating line as that there need be no float tied to the end, no knots at all... so it is unlikely to become entangled on anything on the target vessel...) Once retrieved, I would stop my forward progress and hold position up-current/up-wind with enough slack in the connecting line to keep it from snubbing. The line is clear of your own running gear astern and you can always slip it if need be... Since I was usually taking the vessel in tow, they simply had to make the line fast forward and I could gently ease into towing once they were ready. In this case, the line could have been secured to the raft and then the raft could have been brought up astern (or alongside). Again, not intended to be question your choice of actions... just tossing out something that no-one ever suggested to me until I stumbled upon the practice in the middle of crappy night in 8' seas and a 4 knot current with a disabled boat at anchor amidst a mess of lobster pot buoys... after 3 failed attempts to pass a line while avoiding being swept past in the current and becoming entangled in fishing gear myself, I decided to try this... And have never gone back! Cheers
Very good idea!
Miserable bastards didn't even acknowledge your advice. That's just plain rude. They've only got f all subs so overwhelmed isn't an excuse. You're advice seems spot on.
take it easy that's 4 years ago the comment was 4 months ago they most probably haven't read it. They picked them up safely that's the main thing. No need for name calling
I would have towed them back why not. Ime not a sailor so wouldn't know what's involved but why not
@@graftongodofmemes Calm down. Just because they didn't hit the 'disable comments' option does not mean that they are trawling the internet to see what people are saying about their content. They are probably out actually doing something with their lives like rescuing more people. How much better to be doing that than what you and I are doing. Sitting at home living our lives through You Tube comments. Maybe you and I need to get out more Grafton.
Tilly Mint crew are legends and saviours. Thank you for turning back
This really makes me appreciate the work of our Coast Guard. It's a real skill, requiring training and equipment. Such great judgment and seamanship, thank you.
Wow, how unfortunate and a great lesson of how quickly things can go bad out at sea. I have been involved in many rescues like this in the past (20 years US Coast Guard). I'm glad the family is safe, and i hope they get their boat back. Great rescue by the Captain and crew, you all did fantastic job in very challenging conditions.
Great job on saving that family , y'all are the best, I'm glad there are good people like y'all still out there , thanks
You guys did an amazing job, well done to you, so sad for the family tho but glad they lived to tell the story
Wow! Such a great rescue story! Really glad to know the family reunited! Thanks a lot!
I lost my 43 Leopard in a November 16th 2015 storm. 32 hrs of hell. Still heartsick. Great video, ya'll did a great job.
Sorry to hear. How was the boat lost?
@@thomaspayne6866 got dismasted, lost an engine, generator and a window. Roughly $80k in damages.
Sorry to hear that. As production cats go they are fairly tough.
Amazing rescue guys. Glad everyone is safe. Great call by the captain to leave his boat. Seas can change fast. Not smart to be dead in the water in the middle of the Atlantic. God Bless You Guys. Be safe
God bless you , you are amazing caring people ❤️
WOW, what a story! Thanks for sharing.
So it's not always all fun and games when cruising. A great lesson to be learned here for all of us. And thanks to the crew of Tilly Mint for this incredible rescue at sea.
rarely fun and games
Unless your a kid and even then I image the scary parts are really scary for a child..
You guys really did a care and Loving rescue, it brought tears to my eyes.
Wow!
I shaking after watching this!
Enormous respect to the Tilly Mint captain and crew and the cargo captain.
Just caught up with this story. I've been seafaring all my life and have been involved in all kinds of scrapes and near-misses. Yours is a remarkable tale of great bravery and exceptional seamanship. May I add my huge congratulations to you two. Roy
May your kind and brave deed be rewarded many times over and that fate keeps all of you and your loved ones safe and sound, wherever you are.
Wow! Wow! Wow! Tremendous effort made to rescue this family. My heart goes out to you. God Bless you all.
God bless you for being there. You folks are heroes. Thank you for your good deed.
Thank you crew of the Tilly Mint you are true sailors, may God Bless you guys in everything you do in Life.
😱😢😭Well done Well done Well don!!
I’m so choked up with emotion!! I can’t even imagine doing any of this!! Bless you all!! 😭😢😱
The one thing I love about sailing and the sailing community is their heroic and caring nature for each other. Well done guys.
Until $ is involved. Then FTW
Thanks for turning around commendably 👍
Hi, thx for that Video. We (3 guys)were out at that time about 50-100sm south with a sailboat (38ft). we remember the weather and waves at that time. Great thx for back up to the wind. andoing back for 80sm. . we heard later about that. Thanks for sharing. we can all learn about that difficulies for recueing. you done a good job. thx. SY Lady Sunshine
Compliments to the Captain and crew of Tilly Mint for their seamanship and commitment to helping to save this family. You upheld the best traditions of good sailors when you responded with full commitment to their rescue. Well done!
Incredible rescue at sea. You have a fine crew and have restored my faith in human nature. God bless you guys.
Good job guys, it makes me so happy when I see good people like you. I wish the best for every single sailor in the world.
Tilly Mint Fantastic Effort , WELL DONE! "Those that Go down to the Sea in Ships" Bravo to the crew of the cargo ship!
This video of your devotion to the seas, and souls in them, is nothing short of God Like. Thank you so much and I hope you get 200 million views! New subscriber! This video will reconfirm my wife's insistence to never sail around the world. Bless you and crew!
Fantastic ending, you and your crew will be blessed for your moral code and the love for one another.
Very awesome! I couldn’t care any less for the vessel afloat, missing - gone. But saving the people... enough said 👍🏽
That family were very lucky to come across the decent people who rescued them. Also, the cargo vessel who helped. Great to see.
Amazing video guys! Hats off to you - so glad the fella came in the end! What a relief :)
Holy crap, great job sharing this story. Brings the reality of sailing clearly into focus.
You guys are some awesome wonderful people, even helping them afterwards. You have a beautiful boat and beautiful souls. Never thought about how hard it would be to get people on the boat from another boat. Bless all of you for helping those people and their darling children, wish them the best!
Great story and life experience. Congrats Tilly Mint crew for the courage and solidarity.
Best video i’ve seen in a looooong time! Very emotional!
Beautiful people, I am so in awe! Have been on boats, so I can relate, but never have I been in such conditions! Love how you tell the story, too. Thank you very much for saving these lives and sharing this!!
Boats and possessions can be replaced. Glad everyone is safe.
Fully agree! As long as everyone survived and is healthy..... things can be replaced
BeachBow Agreed! That's what insurance is for.
Provocateur : and your one of them.....
Celebrate summits finds abandoned sail boat it’s been found!!!!!!!!
Provocateur
Living up to his name
Thank you for sharing this great video and it is so rare that you were in a position to document to the extent you did. I've watched you enough to know this was never a case of filming someone else's train wreck or "look what we did". You and the rest of Tilly Mint's crew are to be commended for your assistance, compassion, and care. You banked some serious Karma on your crossing!
Great job and thanks to the crew of Tilly Mint!
Well done to all of you. Bravery and heroism at its very best. Awe inspiring.
This is one of the best videos I've seen in a long time. You guys are awesome!
Great rescue, done with real professionalism by the crew and skipper of Tilly Mint. I'm so glad that there was no loss of life.
Great story telling as well.
(I can't get over some of the nasty and bizarre commenters, very sad people.)
Fair seas,
-- Bill
Thank you so much for sharing this story. Thank you for rescuing the Coombes family.
YOU guys are amazing, God bless and keep you safe.
Excellent skill, seamanship, safety and risk mitigation...and compassion. What Excellent human beings.
A thrilling, courageous, and very romantic story. Perfect.
This was so good I had to watch the whole thing over again 3 years later! Great recovery! True heroes! Faith in humanity still!
A sterling testament to the good and decent people you. My hat is off to you.
How very touching but so glad all are safe. Well done Tilly mint ..... travel safely ..... Mike Roberts
OUTSTANDING skills and seamanship
Thank you for sharing your story. Nice to hear what you found worked well and what didn't in this situation 👍
Excellent video. You guys rocked it with your support of the family, and really shows just what a solid community sailors are.
After triggering a survival kit (life-raft) in the latest episode of Winded Voyage, I watched this great story. I was so touched by the kids watching dolphins with nothing but joy after being rescued that I had to make a donation so that this family can continue on their journey. You did well by helping with this video. I hope many more will be touched like me and help out. Well done you two, Alex.
This helped me restore my faith in humanity. You guys did a great job, truly heart warming.
Jafuh I like your profile pic ;)
EddieNuffSaid Thank you :) SubieGang
EddieNuffSaid OH MY GOD WAIT ITS FUCKING EDDIE NO WAY
BRO I WATCH ALL OF YOUR VIDS🤣
EddieNuffSaid your channel is literally reason i bought my subie omgggggg
Your hearts are bigger than your sails and the oceans... inspiring.
That was the most heroic thing I’ve seen by a sailing crew in a long time! Very extraordinary story. Clint
It took reading 100 plus comments to find one that answered the perplexing question of why the boat wasn’t scuttled. I had thought that was the rule so as not to leave a navigational hazard for others.
If someone hit your unmarked boat at night they would be in worse shape than you were !
@Eric Miret I forget 🤔
Good on you, I am happy this went well. We usually only see successful trips. I hope all parties involved are well.
Great rescue & happy ending. Amazing ... peace & love to you all 🙏
Man what a blessing, love the ocean but respect it. All respect to the captian and crew.
5-stars for the Tilly Mint and her crew...!
Wow; incredible rescue - well done to Discovery 67 Tilly Mint - amazing courage and determination.
Thanks for making a boat that'll do 8 knots beating into 25 knots and 4 meter seas!
Well done. You did above and beyond. You deserve "The George Medal" .
By any definition, You guys are Heroes 😊
I'm two (edit: THREE!) years behind but I'm bawling over here 😭😭💖 I'm so glad they're ok, and I hope things have gone well for them. Ugh
Me too what a story choked me up when they were leaving the dad on board so pleased he changed his mind and joined the rest. Amazing story that sent goosebumps over everypart of my body. Well done u guys and the cargo ship people who care like you is what makes our planet the special place it is big love from U. K
Riveting story and so well conveyed (expect a call from Mr Speilberg sometime soon:-)))) )
Skipper said it all in response to Coastguard comms - 'Its never a question of 'can you' its just 'where and when' for fellow travelers on the sea, cause who knows who will be next.
Always amazing that kids are so resilient - "Rescued at sea by drifting in the lifefraft in the middle of the ocean in 3 - 5m swells? - Yeah, but I was just a kid."
Great work guys. :-)))))
Cheers, BB
O
What a wonderful crew of the Tilly Mint God Bless you guys.
Incredible Rescue! It’s what you do for fellow Mariners in time of distress... Thank you for sharing this Real Life sea adventure...
This to me illustrates what some call thew fellowship of the sea. I had read of this vessel on the UK new a week or two ago. T see the other side of the story is amazing. Love your compassion for their plight. Respect. & prayers. I should imagine this is also a cogent argument for the wind vane type autopilot rudder which operate when the main rudder is locked. thanks for this insightful episode.
I'm becoming a believer in windvanes. I can't think of any other reliable way to set up an emergency rudder.
Bob Mullins i
great captains, sailboat and Cargoship, great Mans!!!!!!!!
You are so nice for all the things you have done for that family. I wish them the best.
What a heart wrenching, and heart warming, story. Thank you for going to the rescue as well as sharing your, and their, stories.
This was exhilarating and heart-breaking, all at the same time. Carl Wake, my very best friend as I was going through elementary school, was lost at sea in the freak 1999 hurricane Lenny, just two months before I started trying to reconnect with him at age 56. Accounts vary a little, but he was involved in rescuing another sailor when they both were lost. You can read his story in the book "At The Mercy of the Sea" by John Kretschmer.
I don't know when or how, but your concern for fellow man will never be forgotten by not only those you rescued, but by the Almighty God who watched over all of you. To all those aboard Tilly Mint, thank you.
SV Rainbow Chaser
I am saving like mad for my eventual yacht and this brought a tear to my eye. Really happy the family are safe but I can't imagine the feelings they are going through to lose their yacht like that ... it must have been devastating ... I could not let this pass without leaving a donation for the family and I hope it helps them get back on their feet.
No not being a sailor I wonder how stupid question this is but hearing that this vessel is a drift somewhere in the Atlantic what are the chances of this boat ever getting situated and to be coming back into the possession of the family
@@zorroonmilkavitch1840 I don't think its a stupid question mate. I'm neither a sailor myself but have owned and fished from a variety of boat sizes and capabilities. Currently own an edencraft formula 233 with twin 250hp Suzukis. Im of the opinion the bigger and faster it is the safer it is. Anyway, chances of them getting the boat back? Very slim to near zero chance I would suggest. Weird video in a way. It's great Ben chipped in if thats what makes him happy and i dont want to sound horrible but something annoys me about people losing their toys and asking for donations. Especially in how this played out. I was of the understanding you only ever mayday and abandon ship is A. its on fire B. its literally sinking or C. a medical emergency. Did these people really head out into those seas without sufficient insurance? Or is it because it wasnt a true mayday? if not i cant believe the captains didnt dicuss this. Rescue captain turns his back, the captain abandoning ship lights her up in flames and you collect your insurance. No insurance?
Literally tearing. Thank you for the kindness that is unique to the nautical community. At the end of the day, we are all human; thank you for your humanity.
there are Sailing pages like @SAILING NAHOA or @SAILING SV DELOS or @SAILING ZATARA with a couple of 100k subscribers .. just a buck for everybody to bring this family back on their feet.
Sad story, specially when starting the trip of a lifetime and all goes wrong to early. Glad they made it all out alive.
AND HEY... THANKS for having humans like you on the planet not only thinking about themselfs @Monday Never
Last year I rescued a couple in the Atlantic and towed them roughly 70 nautical miles into Cape Verde. It's a feeling like no other being able to help someone out. 🖒
thats my question.. why didnt one of them just tow the boat...
Okay - this one made me cry. Thanks for the story. As a lifelong sailor, WOW you guys were smart and fantastic - sounds like everybody was smart.
You're true heros and should be given some medal or recognition for this rescue. The cargo vessel was a Godsend. Your quote "it's not whether we'd go to help but rather how long it will take to get there" explains the community of sailors in one sentence.
Wow. I was nearly sick watching the children passed down onto the life boat, and my eyes welled up with tears, seeing (who I assume was) their mother wrap a blanket around them.
Tremendous work, crew of the Tilly Mint.
As a father and a sailor the kids walking towards the bow with no life vest was the scariest thing for me.
yeah I don't understand it either....
Absolute legends for the unbelievable job you guys did here!!!
Dramatically illustrates how exceptionally difficult this really is, even for a group of very capable and experienced sailors. Often i thought you'd have to give up and wait for more help but you always came up with another way. Have to praise you for you resourcefulness, determination and a lot of careful thinking about what is possible and what is too dangerous. Great example we can all learn from.
Awesome video guys just awesome! Bravo
To the Crew of the Tilly Mint: THANK YOU. You are an excellent example of the selflessness needed throughout the sailing community, indeed, all communities. Although I have plenty of experience as an aviator, I remain a novice sailor, but continue to learn daily.
Despite my lack of experience (just board sailing, Hobie-Cats, as mate aboard a 44' ketch and day-sailers, laser something or others, and 14' and 29' proper sailboats with genoas and spinnakers), one day while sailing a 29' sailboat in the San Diego Bay, I somehow managed to wind up with a partially bound rudder that was responding poorly to input. Fortunately, I was in the bay, seas were light and the winds were moderate at between 10 and 15 kts. I visually inspected it while the first mate did her best to hold heading, but it was a losing battle.
Something was seriously wrong with our rudder.
I wound up heaving to, tossing out a sea anchor for azimuth stability, lowering the foresail to 2/3 of its normal height, tying the lowest connection to deck cleats, and securing the tiller. Then, like a windsurfer (I've surfed the Gorge), I used the mainsail for steering (somewhat exhausting on a 29-footer, though). Nearing mooring, I dropped sails approached the dock, and pushed the wonky tiller hard over to come alongside, lassoing a dock cleat and easing to a stop with a turn about our deck cleat.
It's just one of those things you do when you have to do it. Kind of hard to explain.
Turns out the wooden tiller had some hidden rot, and when some screws came out, more screws came out, rendering it only partially attached to the stern and the tiller, and something I wasn't equipped to fix in a cold bay in moderate winds, light chop, and inexperienced first mate with few tools other than a radio.
Ever since then, I thought about other issues, including, "What if we lost our rudder completely?"
In aviation, we practice all sorts of partial systems all the time, because heaving to is rarely an option when your typical cruising speed is an appreciable fraction of the speed of sound and our altitudes are measured in miles (or more appropriately, flight levels, meaning we're higher than 18,000 feet).
I starting asking around the sailing community about emergency procedures, a common term throughout the aviation community, and frankly, I was met with a lot of strange looks. "You mean the vests we have stowed below? Yes, if we're sinking, we don 'em. What of it?" I thought, "Any effort to locate the source, poke a thru-hull patch and force-caulk it?"
But what do I know? I just studied Aerospace and Ocean Engineering for a while before transferring to Finance because La Place and Fourier Transforms made my head ache. I only rebuilt a couple of engines in high school and helped my dad replace the entire transom of our boat, Tahitian mahogany substrate, fiberglass, gel coat, engine through-bolts and all. Even made a few suggestions which finally and totally waterproofed the transom so it would never get soaked and rot again.
One thing concerns me: In the many, if not countless videos I've watched of people flying personal and even commercial aircraft, as well as piloting boats and sailing various ocean vessels, I observe a significant lack of training in both risk management (avoiding calamity) and to a disturbing extent, crisis management (dealing with calamity i.e. pulling your fat out of the fire).
Why aren't there an internationally-published and endorsed basic set of procedures i.e. CHECKLISTS (common among aircrew) applicable to all mariners with respect to things like loss of engine, loss of propeller, loss of mast, loss of radio, loss of rudder, etc., but also with a hefty set of workaround procedures amassed from the literally centuries of sailing experience on the books?
Grr... Both my instructor and writer bents are getting to me.
One day, while waiting in an airport reading a Sailing magazine, I learned about the Hydrovane. I have no experience, so I cannot recommend them, but they might be worth a look.
Just today I came across Sail Magazine's article, "Know-How: Rigging Emergency Rudders" by Robin Urquhart (Mar 7, 2018). Link below. The article covers an example of rudder failure, basic steps everyone should know by heart to immediately stabilize your vessel regardless of the sea state, several types of emergency rudders, alternative ways of steering, and seven (7) emergency rudder options, five of which are windvane systems and two of which are sea-based units.
As an aviator, we had a variety of both high-tech and some surprising low-tech equipment designed to enhance safety and save lives. A thorough working knowledge of the gear and regular drilling in its operation is paramount to maintaining our safety as aviators in case bad things happen. Thankfully, I never had to use any of those skills, but friends of mine had, and sadly, a handful of my friends would still be alive to day if they had. The good news is that survival training is fun! Whether you're bobbing around in a pool trying to climb into either a personal life-raft or the 20-man life raft, re-familiarizing yourself with the onboard kit, including food, signaling mirrors, RO pump, wave drogue, sun and spray shields, it's fun. It's a great opportunity for all families anchored in a nice, calm, sandy sheltered cover to practice with their kids, or husbands, wives, sailing partners, and crew to practice on a regular basis.
Each and every member of the crew, even the single-digit kids, should know how to heave-to, set a sea anchor, identify their current location, make radio calls, change frequencies, start the engine, lower sails, ship the sea anchor, engage the drive, and safely maneuver in waves (proper angle and speed) to effect a drive-by rescue. Drill 'em until they've gained a basic proficiency, then hold weekly drills until they can do it in their sleep -- safely. I wish I'd had the means to do this with my own son, but instead of sailboats, we began with camping. He learned those skills, and now he's in the Navy.
Finally, I also recommend everyone aboard wear a small waterproof signaling device which maintains constant contact with a central monitor located at the helm. If a person falls overboard and drifts out of range, usually set to about 50'-100', the alarm sounds. I know this sounds silly, but I've seen so many videos of families sailing the open oceans where kids are pretty allowed free reign above deck and without life jackets or harnesses smack in the middle of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. If you're a solo-sailor, double-clipping in the same as a steel-worker can mean your life, but even while "group sailing, plenty of people, plenty of safety," people should consider a basic survival kit including a very comfortable CO2 inflatable PFD, whistle, beacon, and possibly even a short-range marine radio pre-tuned to an emergency alert channel. You can wear it like a comfortable fleece vest, as many solo sailors do, but when the going gets rough...
I'll quit, now. I've been speaking too much from a "been there, done that, and survived" mentality from fields related to sailing, but mostly not from sailing itself. My only intent is that all sailors, particularly captains, keep a bit tighter ship when it comes to the safety of those aboard their ship. It's a WHALE lot of life-long fun, but the hazards are indeed real, serious, if not lethal, and must be Risk Managed as such through well-practiced crew knowledge and practice of emergency procedures, even the toddlers.
All that said, I see the single-digits came out on top, and due to extraordinary human if not natural if not divine intervention, so did the remainder of the rescued crew, along with the ship's captain following a few confirming events at sea.
Again, kudos to both Captain and Crew of the Tilly Mint for answering the call of duty to attend to the lives of other human beings in rough seas, risking life, limb and sailboat to effect this rescue.
www.sailmagazine.com/diy/know-how-rigging-emergency-rudders