In a race from Long Beach to San Diego, one sailor died and five were rescued after the sailboat Uncontrollable Urge lost steering. The Associated Press is reporting that the crew sent a mayday call during a race but then declining help from the Coast Guard and other boaters as their boat drifted in rough seas. The crew abandoned ship after the boat was swept onto rocks off San Clemente Island. When the Coast Guard reached the crew, they found 36-year-old Craig Thomas Williams unresponsive in the water, the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s office said.
This death comes almost a year after nine deaths in two separate accidents during sailboat races off the California coast. Five sailors died on April 14, 2012, in the in Farallones Race off San Francisco. On April 28, 2012, four sailors died when the sailboat Aegean ran aground on North Coronado Island.
http://www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/Honor-the-memory-of-Craig-Williams-husband-father-and-friend/46040
Please keep the family in your prayers. click above for the website for the memorial fund.
Not the only one:
The 33-foot sailboat Mile High, based in San Diego, contacted the Coast Guard via VHF-FM marine radio channel 16 around 3 a.m., requesting assistance after the boat lost the ability to steer due to a failed rudder.
The crew also requested assistance for a 69-year-old crewman who had fallen into the cockpit and received minor injuries.
http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1719471/
Wow, Phil. A similar casualty but a very different outcome. All a reminder how dangerous the sea can be even on a coastwise race.