OEX in better days
At around 2AM on Monday, OEX, a Santa Cruz 70, owned by John Sangmeister, suffered a catastrophic rudder failure while sailing in the 50th Transpacific Yacht Race. Sangmeister reported that the lower rudder bearing had blown off and the rudder was “can-opening” the bottom of the boat.
OEX began to sink about 200 miles off the coast. Fortunately, Pyewacket , an Andrews 70, was within two-miles of OEX and heard the distress call. Pyewacket sailed to the sinking yacht and picked up the 9 person crew from liferafts as OEX slipped beneath the Pacific. No injuries were reported. Pyewacket, owned by Roy Disney, abandoned the race and sailed back to San Diego, arriving early Tuesday.
Sangmeister said he and his crew were “extremely grateful for the crew of Pyewacket for their superb seamanship, gracious welcome, and extra kindness at a moment in need.”
The Grunion Gazette commented that this may be the 50th running of the Transpacific Yacht race, but if the first couple of days are any indicator, this may become known as “The Year of the Rudder.” Of the six boats that have retired from this year’s historic race with 90 entries prior to this incident, four have cited some form of rudder or steering issues.
Given the level of attention paid to this vessel this was in all probability a foreign object problem but it is interesting to note that OEX was fitted with a remodeled steering system in ’07, converted to twin wheels, with updated rudder design.
I guess in a way this might be a nicer way for a racing yacht to leave the world, rather than growing grey fur, neglected in a harbor.
Is it just my forgetfulness or were there far more rudder failures than is normal in this race?