ive just seen reports on Facebook abc north coast about a yacht going onto a reef near Byron Bay.
crew got onto the beach in the life raft.
not many other details but it was southbound in company with another boat
Marinetraffic.com shows Bumblebee 5 floating around in that location...no other indicators that it is or isn't them though.
Sounds like Bumblebee is confirmed, already lost it's rudder and not in that flash of conditions
Just saw footage on the news. Why they abandoned her is a mystery.
She will be quite damaged by the buffeting on the beach.
So, why did they not put out an anchor and at least try to keep it off the beach until help arrived?
Sounds a bit suss to me.
Select to expand quoteEC31 said..
So, why did they not put out an anchor and at least try to keep it off the beach until help arrived?
Sounds a bit suss to me.
Racing yacht, don't carry any of that gear as it weighs too much?
Select to expand quoteJethrow said..
Sounds like Bumblebee is confirmed, already lost it's rudder and not in that flash of conditions
Photos show rudder is intact ! Conditions at time of photos are benign too.
Select to expand quotenswsailor said..EC31 said..
So, why did they not put out an anchor and at least try to keep it off the beach until help arrived?
Sounds a bit suss to me.
Racing yacht, don't carry any of that gear as it weighs too much?
2 anchors required under the racing rules. Primary must be assembled and attached to ground tackle.
Rules for most races changed a few years back to ban anchors kept on bow rollers as they might be dangerous in the event of a collision, so very few race boats have them there even when cruising. Makes it hard to have anchors ready for immediate deployment; most likely the anchor is down below in the most appropriate place for weight distribution and would take a while to get on deck.
Without knowing the full facts, you can only imagine the carnage and distress at 2am (why is it always 2am?) with some of the crew off watch when the boat and Australia came together. Especially if the hull is pounding in the surf. Getting the crew safely to shore and waiting until daylight was the approach taken, and probably the most prudent.
Of course, staying well away from the rocky bits around the edge of the continent is also a prudent approach.....
Select to expand quoteJethrow said..
Sounds like Bumblebee is confirmed, already lost it's rudder and not in that flash of conditions
M3 went up on the beach on the way back from Southport earlier this year. Went on to do well in this race.
saw her getting towed into port of brisbane yesterday by a tug that would have been a scary expensive tow she seemed to be floating ok on her lines and from half mile away no apparent damage
