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Sailing Disaster - 50 Knot Gust, Shredded Sails & Steering Cable Snapped
October 12, 2021 · 17 min · 13K views · Martinique
What this video covers
A 50-knot squall shreds the mainsail and snaps the steering chain of a catamaran sailing near Martinique, leaving the vessel without manual steering.3:33 The crew, consisting of one adult and one child, regains partial control by using the autopilot and adjusting engine throttles to steer.10:13 They coordinate with the French Coast Guard and a nearby vessel, Britican, to navigate into the harbor at Fort de France.9:09 Despite COVID-19 border closures, authorities grant emergency entry for repairs.9:20 The damaged steering chain is identified as a standard component, and the crew plans to replace it and install a spare mainsail to continue their passage.16:05 The shredded sail likely prevented rig damage by shedding pressure during the peak wind gust.15:11
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