Boat Accidents - Ocean Navigator

24 Feb

Organizers Investigate Vessel Abandonments in 2024 Bermuda Race

Eric ColbyBoat Accidents, Navigation, Ocean Voyaging, Offshore Safety, Offshore Sailing, Racing News, Sailboat Racing

After three sailboats were abandoned during the 2024 Newport Bermuda Race and return trip, the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee has partnered with US Sailing and the Cruising Club of America to conduct an in-depth safety review. The goal was to gather facts, analyze the incidents and make recommendations that will contribute to safer offshore sailing races. After interviewing the rescued and rescuing crews, the BROC and US Sailing have released individual reports for the three vessel abandonments. The reports provide important insights and lessons learned, reinforcing the need for preparedness, training and seamanship in offshore sailboat racing. The sailing vessel…

16 Jan

Proposed Boat Speed Limit for Atlantic Coast Withdrawn

Eric ColbyBoat & Gear News, Boat Accidents, Industry & Company News, Navigation, Ocean Voyaging, Offshore Safety, Offshore Sailing, Power Voyaging, Seamanship & Navigation

The National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Commerce Department have withdrawn a proposed rule that would have imposed speed limits on boats operating off the East Coast of the United States. The rule was originally published in the Federal Register on Aug. 1, 2022, to amend the North Atlantic right whale vessel speed regulations. “NMFS withdraws this proposed rule in light of numerous and ongoing requests from the public for further opportunity to review and engage with the Agency on the proposal,” the fisheries service said in a statement. “NMFS’s existing vessel speed regulations remain…

06 Jan

New Slow Speed Zones in Miami

Eric ColbyBoat Accidents, Navigation, Power Voyaging, Seamanship & Navigation

The Captain of the Port for Coast Guard sector Miami announced the establishment of a new regulated navigation area for parts of the Port Miami. It creates a slow-speed zone for vessels shorter than 164 feet long transiting through Fisherman’s Channel and the Main Ship Channel, also known as Government Cut. The new rule was published in the Federal Register on Dec. 30, 2024, and will go into effect on Jan. 29. “Recreational boating safety in our busiest waterways is incredibly important for both the safety of life at sea and the continuity of commerce that flows through our marine…

27 Dec

Tragedy Strikes Sydney Hobart Race

Eric ColbyBoat Accidents, Offshore Sailing, Racing News, Sailboat Racing

Two sailors competing in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race were killed in separate incidents. The race started on December 26 in Sydney, Australia. Roy Quaden, 55, from Western Australia, was a crew member on Flying Fish Arctos. According to a new release from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, he was struck by the vessel’s boom when the boat was about 30 nautical miles east/southeast of Ulladulla, New South Wales, Australia. Crew members tried to revive Quaden with CPR, but were not successful. Additionally, Nick Smith, 65, from South Australia, was a crew member on Bowline, when he was…

09 Dec

Contenders Sustain Damage in Vendée Globe

Eric ColbyBoat Accidents, Ocean Voyaging, Offshore Sailing, Racing News, Sailboat Racing

On the 29th day of competition in the Vendée Globe around the world sailboat race, rough seas took their toll on a pair of competitors. At 5 p.m. local time on Dec. 7, while sailing in the southern Indian Ocean in second place, solo sailor Sébastien Simon told his shore team that the starboard foil had broken on his boat. The captain of Groupe Dubreuil was sailing between the Kerguelen Islands and the south of Australia at night, in 16-foot seas and 25-knot winds, Simon said, “the boat suddenly went to pieces,” while he was sleeping. Once awakened, he eased…

05 Dec

Sailor Lost at Sea During ARC Rally

Theresa NicholsonBoat Accidents, Cruising Rallies, Ocean Voyaging, Offshore Sailing, Racing News, Sailboat Racing, Seamanship & Navigation

Second vessel abandoned after taking on water. The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers community, along with the extended sailing community, is mourning the loss of Swedish sailor Dag Eresund, who was lost overboard from Volvo 70 racing yacht Ocean Breeze on Monday. A mayday call went out at 2:30 UTC on December 2 from Ocean Breeze, sailing approximately 1,300 nautical miles east of Bermuda in challenging conditions with winds gusting more than 30 knots. A search was initiated by the vessel. The U.S. Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Norfolk, Va., (MRCC) put out an emergency alert to all shipping for…