Vessel on the way to St Maarten abandoned American Coastguard Rescue.
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On December 12, 2024, a dramatic rescue occurred off the coast of North Carolina when the U.S. Coast Guard airlifted three men from a Beneteau Oceanis 523 yacht.
The vessel had been caught in extreme weather conditions while attempting a Chesapeake-to-Caribbean passage.
After the crew was rescued 150 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, the yacht, valued at $225,000, was left adrift.
The incident raised a critical question: was abandoning the yacht really necessary?
Richard Collins, an experienced sailor who had been navigating the same region, found himself reflecting on the situation.
His own passage from Charleston, South Carolina, to St. Maarten, undertaken just days before the rescue, had faced its own share of challenges.
Yet, Collins did not feel the need to abandon ship. This comparison between the two voyages offers valuable insight into the choices made in extreme weather and what constitutes a true emergency at sea.
Collins and his crew, aboard a Swan 58, departed Charleston on the evening of December 9, anticipating moderate winds from the south-southwest and seas that might be a bit choppy.
Their route, a rhumbline towards St. Maarten, was expected to face a frontal system within a few days, shifting the wind from the north-northeast.
Armed with forecasts from PredictWind and Commanders, they prepared for a bumpy ride but felt confident in their vessel and the weather data.
As they sailed, the predicted change in wind direction came as expected.
They encountered winds ranging from 25 to 35 knots, with a maximum gust of 42.4 knots during a squall.
Despite the conditions, the crew handled the yacht expertly, using the storm staysail and engaging the engine at 1500 RPM during the squalls to maintain control and avoid slamming.
The boat continued to make steady progress, averaging around 7 knots under autopilot, with occasional adjustments to prevent pounding.
The seas, while steep and occasionally confused due to the interaction of different fronts, did not pose a significant threat.
The maximum wave height observed was around 15 feet, with a short period of 6-8 seconds.
These were not ideal conditions, but they were manageable for a well-prepared crew aboard a capable boat.
Collins noted that the worst conditions they faced—winds up to 42 knots and choppy seas—were far from dangerous, and certainly not life-threatening.
In contrast, the crew aboard the Beneteau 523, according to reports, faced similar weather patterns but ultimately decided to abandon ship.
Their boat, a newer design with a relatively shallow and flat hull, was prone to pounding in offshore chop, especially during sustained high winds.
This could have made the ride extremely uncomfortable, particularly for those not accustomed to such conditions.
However, Collins raises the question: Did the discomfort justify abandoning the boat?
One of the most significant factors in making the decision to abandon ship is often the level of discomfort and fear experienced by the crew.
A boat that is bashing through waves in extreme conditions can be disorienting and exhausting.
However, as Collins pointed out, the crew aboard his Swan 58 did not feel the situation warranted an emergency evacuation.
They were aware of the risks and prepared to handle them.
Their collective experience and the boat’s design gave them confidence to push through the discomfort.
In their case, the decision to stay aboard was based on a clear understanding of the boat’s capabilities and the situation’s true severity.
There is also an important distinction between discomfort and danger.
While it’s true that conditions at sea can quickly become unbearable, discomfort alone does not necessarily make a situation dangerous.
Abandoning ship is typically reserved for cases where the vessel is no longer seaworthy or when continued presence aboard could put lives at risk.
For Collins and his crew, despite the rough seas and high winds, the situation never reached that point.
Their yacht remained operational, and the crew remained in control.
This contrast highlights the importance of experience and preparedness in handling adverse weather at sea.
A boat’s design, the crew’s skill, and a clear understanding of the weather forecast can all contribute to making the right decision when facing extreme conditions.
While the Beneteau 523 crew’s decision to abandon ship may have been based on their perception of the danger and discomfort,
it raises the question of whether they had fully assessed the situation or simply opted for the perceived safety of rescue.
Collins’ experience also sheds light on the role of weather forecasting and situational awareness in ocean passages.
Accurate weather information can make all the difference when navigating through challenging conditions.
With the aid of PredictWind and Commanders, Collins and his crew were able to adjust their sailing strategy accordingly, using storm sails and the engine when needed to manage the conditions.
This allowed them to stay on course and avoid a potentially perilous situation.
For sailors who rely on outdated or inaccurate forecasts, the temptation to panic or make premature decisions like abandoning ship can be strong.
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Another factor to consider is the design of the vessel.
The Beneteau Oceanis 523, as noted by Collins, has a relatively shallow hull that can be more prone to pounding in rough offshore seas.
While the Swam 58 is a different type of boat with its own design advantages, the choice of vessel plays a crucial role in determining how well a yacht performs in extreme conditions.
A boat that is less capable of handling heavy seas may lead to a greater perception of danger, even if the situation is not inherently life-threatening.
In the end, abandoning a boat should not be taken lightly.
It is a drastic decision that can put lives at risk, especially if the crew ends up in the water or facing further complications while awaiting rescue.
In the case of the Beneteau 523, it’s clear that the crew faced discomfort,
but the decision to abandon ship was likely influenced by their perception of the severity of the situation rather than an objective assessment of danger.
As Richard Collins and his crew demonstrated, a well-prepared and experienced team can weather challenging conditions without resorting to abandoning ship.
With the right equipment, knowledge, and mental fortitude, sailors can endure discomfort and continue to navigate safely.
While every situation is unique, the story of the Beneteau 523 reminds us that abandoning a vessel should always be a last resort,
one that is reserved for genuine emergencies where survival is at risk, not just comfort.
Vessel on the way to St Maarten American Coastguard