Teamwork and Seamanship
February 19, 2025 · 34 min · 2K views
What this video covers
A 66-foot sailboat suffered a catastrophic loss of control and crew injury while transiting from Bermuda to Nova Scotia in June 2022.0:16 The vessel, equipped with hydraulic furling systems, encountered 30-to-35-knot winds and 27-foot seas in the Gulf Stream.3:16 As the crew attempted to reef the mainsail downwind, the boom swung violently, striking the female owner and throwing the captain across the cockpit.5:02 The crew activated an EPIRB and requested assistance via satellite phone after VHF radio calls failed.6:24 The incident occurred because the skipper prioritized speed over safety, failing to reef early or heave to in deteriorating conditions.9:56 The vessel’s complex roller-furling boom jammed under the wind load, preventing effective sail reduction.19:40 The incident highlights the necessity of pre-departure crew training, the risks of operating complex systems in heavy weather, and the importance of heaving to rather than running downwind in storm conditions.
Boats in this video
More from Maryland School of Sailing
From Maryland School of Sailing — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.