Stormforce- Missing Yacht.

[Andre]

Signed

[kerny]

Originally Posted by Bigtalljv

signed this morning, 4-5 hours ago and it was in the 20K range. getting lots of attention.

Nice one Big T, nice to know that our cousins across the pond are giving support

[HughN]

Signed. Currently 91.7 K sigs.

Almost everyone at work mentioned one word - "Nimrod"

[matt h]

Are they sayin that the hull has been located but no one has checked inside?

[mick]

Looks that way

[BettySwallocks]

Signed also. MSN were running the "story" on there main page today so hopefully a lot more publicity and pressure on the US Coast Guard.

[tonymac]

Signed.

[cgf10]

Signed up and shared with FB etc.

[hadd]

Signed also

[Bigtalljv]

It's very odd. Usually the USCG will search for what seems like forever. Odd that they only looked for a day or two.

[whisper]

I'm sorry but I can't hold back any longer, every minute that passes is a minute lost. They abandoned the search as they thought they couldn't see them, but they will never see them if they are not looking. This is taking too long to get things going! It was unacceptable that an upturned hull was spotted and passed by, there is just no excuse for this, no mater what. My thoughts are with the families and friends but the search has to start again now.

[Solent Seadog]

Signed, now 100,000+!

Why would their personal responders be switched on one after the other, as reported on the news, if they were not in a lifeboat together??

Don't give up, they haven't.

Steve

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by matt h

Are they sayin that the hull has been located but no one has checked inside?

Surely they must've gotten out?

They knew that they had a structural failure, the boat was leaking presumably due to the keel beginning to let go. They would've been prepared to ditch, it's not as if they hit an object at night with no warning.

That said, when the keel did let go, she'd would've turned turtle pretty quickly in a bit of sea and wind.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by whisper

I'm sorry but I can't hold back any longer, every minute that passes is a minute lost. They abandoned the search as they thought they couldn't see them, but they will never see them if they are not looking. This is taking too long to get things going! .

Don't dispair. I've just read 'Adrift', the guy lasted for 71 days in a liferaft and Tony Bullimore was OK after 5 days in a upturned hull in the Southern Ocean. Fingers crossed.

[willk]

At this point in the process, there's little point in anyone "supposing". Tony Bullimore was found after a couple of days, still inside the hull of his capsized yacht. Sea Survival courses tend to emphasise the security factor in remaining within a hull. While the crew were aware they were taking on water, anything could have happened, even a completely unrelated matter. Until the area is properly searched and the hull recovered or searched, there is hope.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by willk

. Until the area is properly searched and the hull recovered or searched, there is hope.

Agreed.

[whisper]

Don't give up on Cheeki Rafiki Facebook page...

https://www.facebook.com/CheekiRafik...age_fan_invite

[indaba1991]

I am deeply concerned and worried for these 4 guys lost in mid Atlantic. They were moored very close to us in Nelson’s Dockyard and we spoke with the crew on a daily basis before and after racing and at the Galley Bar during Antigua Sailing Week. The hull that was photographed from the tanker looks very similar in form to the boat that is missing – the keel has clearly failed. Losing the keel on any sea going boat is not the norm – such catastrophic failure is usually caused by a collision (not in this case it seems) or there is some prior history. This crew were aware something was wrong – a failing keel lets in a lot of water and the crew had reported flooding. When a keel does fail on a yacht it can capsize quickly leaving little time for the crew to escape, especially if it is rough weather. The boat photographed also appears to be very immersed and close to sinking – it is unlikely there is adequate air space to house any survivors inside the hull for long. The crew are more likely to have abandoned to a liferaft. It is however unforgivable that the tanker (diverted to the scene) did not stop and try to communicate in case there were people inside. It is also very disingenuous for the USCG to infer that this big ship was no position to assist – big ships do stop and help - and such ships have rescued people on many occasions. The USCG is a dedicated and experienced organisation and their history impeccable. However many recognised seamen are questioning the validity of calling off the search so soon. Precious time has been lost – people can survive long periods in tropical waters – the N Atlantic is less forgiving. At this time of year some 1000 vessels cross the Atlantic from Bermuda / Caribbean heading to Europe. I hope there is a full and continuing all ships alert to anyone in the area - this may be their only hope of rescue. I have sailed through these waters many times – it is a cold and unforgiving place - they need to be found soon. The 25 crew on our boat (all signed on the petition) who participated in Antigua Sailing Week and the RORC Caribbean 600, sailing in competition against Cheeki Rafiki, offer our prayers and hopes - these 4 sailors merit a concerted effort to rescue them if at all possible.

[boristhebold]

Ive had an idea, the US Coastguard have a facebook page, anyone fancy a spot of activism, if you have a facebook account go to the US Coastguard facebook page and post comments on the page about getting them to continue searching. You can comment on the threads others have posted. If enouth people do this it may make them do something. Im not advising any nasty comments, dont want to antagonise them, perhaps just raise the simple question why they are no longer looking.

what do you think.

[boristhebold]

Originally Posted by boristhebold

Ive had an idea, the US Coastguard have a facebook page, anyone fancy a spot of activism, if you have a facebook account go to the US Coastguard facebook page and post comments on the page about getting them to continue searching. You can comment on the threads others have posted. If enouth people do this it may make them do something. Im not advising any nasty comments, dont want to antagonise them, perhaps just raise the simple question why they are no longer looking.

what do you think.

maybe it would be better just posting direct to the us coastguard, there is an area on their facebook page where you can do this look just beneath the banner for a button which says message.