Collision at sea! I hit a huge tree sailing at 12 knots. (ep 292)
24 May 2025 · 20 min · 10K views · Indonesia
What this video covers
Vernon, sailing solo on the catamaran *Learning By Doing*, struck a large log while traveling at 10 to 11 knots between Namlia and Raja Ampat, Indonesia.17:59 The impact occurred while he was in the galley, causing significant damage to one of the vessel's rudders.17:09 The rudder bent against the hull, rendering the steering system inoperable.17:22 Vernon managed to limp the final five miles into Deer Island by steering with the engines, arriving shortly before dark.17:18 Upon anchoring, he entered the water to remove the damaged rudder to prevent further hull interference.18:33 The passage, which spanned approximately 230 miles, involved navigating through shipping channels and managing squalls with 18 knots of wind.15:37 The vessel utilized a rotating mast to improve performance on beam reaches, gaining roughly one knot of speed.5:18 The incident highlights the increased risk of striking submerged debris during solo passages when the helm is unattended.18:46
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