Erik D. Jones's Blog

Vanguard 15

While returning back to Berkeley Marina from Paradise Cove, I came upon two individuals whose small sailboat had capsized about 1.5 miles east, northeast of Paradise Point.  Similar to the Vanguard 15 , the mast and full main were parallel to the surface of the water.  Conditions at the time were typical for a summer day in San Francisco Bay with 25 knot winds and about 1+ foot waves at the location where the two had overturned their sailboat.  I changed course to intercept them and asked if they wanted assistance.  The younger sailor waived me off indicating that he was OK.  I ignored his refusal for help and remained nearby circling their boat using just my main while my headsail remained furled.

I believe the younger sailor was in his early twenties, while the older sailor appeared to be in his 40′s or 50′s.  Both were wearing life vests and wet suits.  They tried to get their boat upright several times, but each time the other crewmate tried to get into the boat, the boat would capsize again.  After 15 minutes, I notified the Coast Guard via radio of the situation.  I informed them that they had refused assistance but that I felt they were beyond their skill level for the conditions with possible mechanical problems.

After about 20 minutes or more of struggling in the water, both sailors were able to enter their vessel and looked extremely exhausted.  The older sailor asked me to accompany them to Richmond to which I agreed.  Their boat appeared to have some sort of damage and they only had the very small head sail up.  I asked my crew to prepare a line to throw over so that we could tow them back to Richmond.  After updating the Coast Guard about the situation and our intentions, a Marin County Sheriff boat arrived and took charge of the situation.  I confirmed with them that they were going to provide assistance and waited in the area until the Sheriff had successfully attached a line to the small craft and began towing it back to Richmond.  I updated the Coast Guard again and returned on course for Berkeley Marina.

Marin Sheriff and Damaged Vessel

What they did wrong:

• The crew of the sailboat refused help before stabilizing their situation. With 50 degree water, a capsized boat and the wind and wave conditions at the time, the situation could have very quickly turned from bad to worse.  Being in the middle of the Bay by yourself is not the place to be.  Fortunately for them, we remained on the scene to monitor.  They were too far from shore to swim if they had been unable to recover their vessel.
• The crew of the sailboat did not appear to have any kind of radio equipment. My sailboat has a hardwired marine radio and I also carry a small water proof handheld whenever I crew on someone else’s boat.  In my opinion, at less than $100 retail, everyone in the Bay should have a handheld with them at all times.  Fifty degree water and 25 knot winds with a small craft is nothing to joke about.
• The sailboat was probably too small for the conditions and/or the skill level of the crew was inadequate for the conditions. I don’t have any experience with boats of that size or type, but they were probably 6+ miles from Richmond and 1.5 miles from the nearest shore.  Conditions in “The Slot” were 25 knots with 3-4 foot waves.  These confiditons seem well beyond the capability of a boat that size as a 3 foot wave would easily wash over the side and make it very difficult for a skilled crew to keep the boat balanced and upright.

What the crew did right:

• They were wearing PFDs and wet suits. Had they not been wearing PFDs or wet suits, the situation would have turned grave very quickly.  Fifty degree water is nothing to mess around in.
• They asked for our assistance to accompany them back to their marina.  After they finally got back into the boat after 15-20 minutes of strenuous activity, very cold water and a boat with mechanical problems, they were smart to ask for an escort.  Again, not being experienced with boats that size, I can’t say if they could have safely navigated back to Richmond in the conditions at the time, but they were certainly at a disadvantage with the mechanical problems and their cold and fatigue.

What we did right:

• We didn’t leave the scene even when we were waived off. Most of us are embarrassed to ask for help even when the situation has the potential of becoming dangerous.  It’s a difficult thing to have a boat of 8 strangers sail up and admit that you’re in over your head.  I believe I made the right decision to stay and monitor their situation even if they had recovered quickly and proceeded on their way.  All we had to lose was a little time returning home.
• After the other crew was in the water for 10-15 minutes, I called the Coast Guard. Even in a wet suit, hypothermia can begin within 15-20 minutes in 50-55 degree water like we typically have in San Francisco Bay.  Given that the crew was struggling with their boat and equipment, the cold temperatures could have quickly overcome them.  Had the situation turned into a rescue, having the Coast Guard on standby would save time in explaining our position and situation.  And as it turned out, the Marin County Sheriff either monitored the frequency or received a phone call from the Coasties.  Reducing response time and communicating early when we were calm could have been critical.
• We got the boat hook, donned life vests, gloves and got line ready. If this turned into a rescue, the crew was prepared to render assistance.  By donning my life vest, I was in a better position to help recover someone from the water in case the victim pulled me in.  In the future, I would have all members of the crew who were playing a role in a recovery don a life vest if we had the same amount of time.

What we did wrong:

• After the crew of the boat finally recovered their vessel, we began heading back to Berkeley. I should have remained to offer or insist on offering further assistance.  It turned out that the older sailor decided that our assistance was needed and waived us back.  Fortunately one of my crew had continued to watch them and we weren’t but a few hundred feet away before we turned around to pull alongside and discuss their situation.  They had already demonstrated reluctance to ask for help.

Congratulations to the Coast Guard and the Marin County Sheriff’s office for monitoring the situation and providing assistance.  Also, I must congratulate my own crew for remaining calm and helping me monitor the situation.  I always give a safety briefing before we leave the dock and ask everyone to point out situations they are unsure of or think might be unsafe.  In this situation, one of my crew had pointed out the downed sailboat so that I was able to alter course to intercept and assess the situation.

Bismark Dinius did not hear good news today as the Judge denied the defense attorney’s motion to dismiss the Lake County District Attorney from the trial. Judge Byrne said today in court “There is sufficient evidence that the matter has to be tried.” The Judge ruled against the defense after hearing arguments from both sides. Defense attorney claimed that the Deputy District Attorney Haltom purposefully withheld vital evidence revealed to the defense on the day the trial was set to begin last May.

There were about two dozen protesters outside the Superior Court today in Lake County with equal numbers of supporters for both Dinius, the accused in this case, and Russell Purdock, the officer who was driving the speed boat that crashed into into the sailboat killing Lynn Thornton. To date, Purdock has not been charged with any crime despite admittedly driving at speeds in excess of 40 MPH.

The court is in recess right now while the Judge considers the date for the trial to begin. The defense has said “We want to go as quickly as possible.” The attorneys are meeting with the Judge in chambers.

As many of you sailors and cruisers are aware, there has been a dramatic increase in pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia and surrounding areas.  A Russian luxury yacht company is offering to its customers the opportunity to attract and then attack these pirates on the high seas.  For £3,500 per day, you get to act as bait amongst a highly trained ex-commando crew.  If attacked, the yacht and its commandos will retaliate with grenade launchers, machine guns and rock launchers.  For additional sums of money, the guests will be provided with ammo and their own AK-47 to fire off.

What do you think?  Part of me says, “Way to go!”  But the more sensible side says that a UN-lead force should protect the international waters–and to date, they’ve done a terrible job.

Read about the Luxury Yacht offer here.

Finally after what seems like an eternity (two three years since the incident first took place).  The State Attorney General’s office is looking into the Bismark Dinius case in Lake County.  The attorney for Mr. Dinius has been asking Jerry Brown’s office to look into the matter since this all began.  After the recent increase in press, blogging, tweeting, facebooking and several news reports and video blogs by KGO’s i-Team investigators, it appears Mr. Brown is finally getting off his duff to look into the matter.

You can get facebook updates on the case from Latitude 38 here.

Dan Noyes from the i-Team investigative team has a twitter containing updates on the case  here.

* Updated 6/25/2009: I did my math wrong. It’s been three years!

There’s a young 28 year old sailor from one of my favorite places, Melbourne, Australia, who has been slowly making his way around the world in a 26 foot Contessa. Owning and skippering my own 28 foot cruiser, it’s hard to imagine sailing too far from the coast let alone around the world in my boat. Nick Jaffe is a maverick and a little crazy, but no matter where he falls in that spectrum, I admire his courage and his determination. Read about his encounter with the trade winds here.