Report on the Sinking of Spirit

[The Jackeens]

Oh PeteB you're Flanker...that is helpful to know

Ta Alan

Missus

[Bittentobuggery]

Originally Posted by robin

Mark.......is this the one? If it isn't It is still bloody scary.

Holy Shit. That's the scariest thing I have ever seen at sea.

I remember the enormous swell generated by the confluence of the Agulhas/Benguela currents and how it could bring a 360,000 ton supertanker to a juddering halt, if the vessel's pitch was out of synch with the wavelength.

I remember a brown trouser crossing of the Atlantic on a timber boat, with dry lumber from British Columbia stored safely in the hold, while the deck cargo was subjected to continuous exposure to rain and spray. The stability of the vessel was increasingly compromised by the waterlogged timber on deck and she wallowed like a pig. Occasionally, there would be a moment at the end of her roll, where she would hang for a fraction of a second before the righting momentum took over and everybody would silently exhale.

But that pales into insignificance when a small boat is confronted with this kind of phenomena. If this is the fate that befell Spirit, it is no wonder that she foundered. It is not possible to design a boat that is both practicable and able to withstand those forces. May she rest in peace. You guys have cheated death.

ATB

Brian

[sirzap]

Here is a photo of Steve doing a small repair on a small torn section of the connecting hypolon (sp?) during the RTW attempt in North Carolina. The SOC having made it that far needed only a small repait after many miles at sea at that point. As I recall "Too Deep" needed several similar repairs after the Round Britain Rib Raid, which I understand is not uncommon after many miles slapping against the water. I would think the integerty of the tubes on SOC has several more years of life in them before they become a concern. But then what do I know?... Not much, compared to my friend Alan P. But I don't think for second he would put to sea, if he had a doubt of concern for the intergerty of the tubes or the adhesive. Cheers

[Alan Priddy]

Peteb
You have not read my report correctly, as usual! It is aimed at people who are interested, not people who think they know what they are talking about. I will leave you to draw your own conclusion to which part I you fall in to! Alan P

[DepSol]

Originally Posted by peteb

Well Dom you have met me, I sat at the same table as you with my wife and baby at Mercury marina, we had a good chat, I then spoke to a guy that was with you, could it have been your father or father in law? anyway I spoke to him for about an hour or so. Anyway, you put me off taking a boat anywhere near those islands with the rock stories

I also ensured I had the correct spanners and tools to undertake any job I could. I have ensured that I have what I feel is the correct safety equipment, my kit list was again poo pood as a waste of time by some, but I have used it in anger on more than one occasion rescuing families including children. Examples are a sinking boat with 2 adults and 2 young children, I had to get them out of the water, raft to the vessel and use a pump I had on board to re float it, whilst my wife rendered first aid, including the use of our space blankets and spare dry clothing.

Yes I thought it was you, the way you post the smilies etc etc. Yes I did meet you for about 5 mins you were certainly Grumpy 1 that day.

Pete we all also know about your extensive list of extras spare handheld gps in case the main one goes pop then a spare in case the spare packs up, toasters generators, etc etc the list is endless.

[Mark Halliday]

Originally Posted by robin

Mark.......is this the one? If it isn't It is still bloody scary.

www.martin-raget.com/eng/poster/photo.cfm?collection=1&nomcollection=Marines%20pos ters&poster=1-022003-440

Oh and check out some of the other photos on his website. Superb.

Spot on Robin. Many thanks for that.

I guess it was a helicopter shot. There are ususally swarms of them around the tricky bits of coast when the big French multihulls go out.

Sorry I did not reply earlier, but I was at the Churchillian last night.

[The Jackeens]

Originally Posted by robin

Mark.......is this the one? If it isn't It is still bloody scary.

www.martin-raget.com/eng/poster/photo.cfm?collection=1&nomcollection=Marines%20pos ters&poster=1-022003-440

Oh and check out some of the other photos on his website. Superb.

Oh my ... that's a big drop

Stuff of nightmares...

Along with the scary stories from last night's Churchillian Meet...

Missus

[Mark Halliday]

Kathleen

Perhaps we should have got Peter B Flanker along to listen to them. He would then have so many spares, kit and backup systems his boat would go straight to the bottom in a mill pond.

[peteb]

Alan, I did read what you wrote, most of it irrelevant to the actual incident and says very little, so would therefore not call it a 'report' as such.

I understand that everything happened so quickly, but I would have preferred to see more about the build up and subsequent actions taken in the minutes before and after the incident. Also Who was doing this, and who was doing that e.g. who was helming, who was resting, who had responsibility for what. This would more than likely have highlighted your good actions as skipper in getting the crew ready for bailing out which has been mentioned. Immediate initial memories are very important before the mind plays tricks and you start getting drawn towards one particular theory, it is also highly probable that you and the crew will remember certain things later when the dust has settled.

I am sure that you must still all be recovering from the incident, so perhaps in time this can be done. Just take your time and try your best to remember in your own time, there is no rush to zoom off again quickly

DeepSole, As you know I do carry spares/backups of the important stuff, I don't think it is amusing to knock people who have done their own risk assessment and choose this option. My baby is the most important thing to me, so when I go out with her on board I understand that I have other lives to think of as well

[The Jackeens]

Originally Posted by Mark Halliday

Kathleen

Perhaps we should have got Peter B Flanker along to listen to them. He would then have so many spares, kit and backup systems his boat would go straight to the bottom in a mill pond.

Having listened to you experienced people last night Mark & Co. and seen and heard from Alan Priddy and team (including Fiona N. ) over the past few emotional weeks ..
I know I would prefer to be at sea with someone who walks the talk.

I've had a few nightmares since Spirit went down and have regained my old fear of the Atlantic
But I have to say that was a great boat. I will always have great memories of the way she looked after us. She will always be more than the sum of her parts.

If Pete 7 goes on one of his adventurous (and by that I mean seriously scary) diving trips up north one day....well who knows.

But Alan...thanks for your generosity and belief in people. You and Spirit have done things with your lives and that is widely acknowledged and respected.

Missus

[Alan Priddy]

Thanks Kathleen, just one of you will always make up for a million PeteP's Alan P

[peteb]

Alan, please do not take me the wrong way, I am keen to learn especially when it comes to safety. I respect the way you got the crew home, but my aim would be to investigate why that had to happen, e.g. why the boat was sinking, 'prevention is better than cure'

You must however listen to everyone, or you may end up living on a cloud where you only hear what you want to hear, that is not a healthy way to be. I do feel that 'polite' debate and questioning is good for everyone, and that as you chose to bring this into the public arena with press conferences and details on here, then we should be allowed to give our views and ask questions.

I specialised in Arctic warfare and survival with the forces, so I am fully aware of the being unable to pop home for something you forgot scenario

Anyway, I guess you need time to chill out so I will leave some other questions until later.

Good luck for the future,

[The Jackeens]

Pete/Flanker,


Forgive me because I do not know you nor did I know you when you posted as Flanker...
But are you asking the same things over and over?

Missus

[peteb]

I'm very sorry, but I don't understand the question

[Mark Halliday]

Originally Posted by peteb

You must however listen to everyone, or you may end up living on a cloud where you only hear what you want to hear, that is not a healthy way to be. Anyway, I guess you need time to chill out so I will leave some other questions until later.

Good luck for the future,

peteb

Pot, this is Black Kettle, reading you loud and clear.

Alan P
We have never met and that is something I would like to change. I hope that you don't mind me saying that I think you are totally mad (this is my opinion of any one who does "Blue Water in anything with less than 3 bars, 2 restaurants and a swimming pool) but you are by no means stupid. If you were, you would have left this world many years ago.


"I've had a few nightmares since Spirit went down and have regained my old fear of the Atlantic "
Kathleen
Fear is healthy. It's all over now - sleep well.

[peteb]

[Jon Brooks]

Alan, Kevin and the rest of the crew.

Having got back from holiday yesterday and been catching up, I read with horror the initial reports of the incident.

I think all should hear bear in mind the following:-

Whilst the possible loss of the vessel is sad, the loss of any of you would have been tradgic.

I think we should all be thankful that you are all safe and well.

The boat can be replaced, as can your jeans , you could not.

All this, IMHO, mindless debate about what happened, why it happened, what could have, should have been done can wait.

We should be thankful for the guys safe return and the super work of the rescue boys and girls.

We could have easily lossed some dear friends, great people and assets to the marine industry.

"the sea has no friends, she just has visitors"

I personally and very glad you are all safe and well and can live to tell the tale (at a later stage), go on to other challanges and buy us all a bear when we next get together.

And Kathleen, a sterling job no one could ever call you a Langer!
We could all do with a friend like you in our lives.

Best regards

[JIY]

Alan,

I heard about your rescue when cruising off the west coast of Mull in my Tornado - like eveyone, I was disappointed you didn't make it all the way across the pond, but was delighted that you all made it home safely.

I take every sensible precaution when I go to sea, but I understand there are risks - that is part of the sport. I envy you and your crew the courage, skill and stamina to undertake these long voyages - I truely hope never to find myself requiring rescue, but if I do I fervently hope that my reactions will be as appropriate as yours. As to the rescue itself, I'm a professional in the avaition business - we deal with all sorts of emergencies and though we wouldn't wish misfortune upon our customers, it would be dishonest not to admit that the safe resolution of a potentially dangerous situation is very fulfilling.

Please keep challenging the elements - we need guys like you to keep the world an interesting place to live!

J

[The Jackeens]

Well said Jon and JIY.

Hey Jon ...reckon you've been drinking in the alehouses of Crosser and the East Ferry again

You're learning too much of the local lingo

Missus

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by The Jackeens

Well said Jon and JIY.

Hey Jon ...reckon you've been drinking in the alehouses of Crosser and the East Ferry again

You're learning too much of the local lingo

Missus

Your not wrong and the kidneys are still suffering!

Whats even worse is i brought the record too when I was there!!
"Record" I hear you cry, yes the song called "The Langer" its very funny

Anyway thats all a bit off topic

Regards