Received: from opus.hpl.hp.com by jr.hpl.hp.com with ESMTP (1.37.109.24/15.5+ECS 3.3+HPL1.1) id AA082524351; Fri, 3 Sep 1999 14:32:32 -0700 Return-Path: <MRTischler@aol.com-DeleteThis> Received: from hplms26.hpl.hp.com by opus.hpl.hp.com with ESMTP (1.37.109.24/15.5+ECS 3.3+HPL1.1) id AA072454350; Fri, 3 Sep 1999 14:32:30 -0700 Received: from imo13.mx.aol.com (imo13.mx.aol.com [198.81.17.3]) by hplms26.hpl.hp.com (8.9.1a/HPL-PA Relay) with ESMTP id OAA24227 for <wind_talk@opus.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis>; Fri, 3 Sep 1999 14:32:29 -0700 (PDT) From: MRTischler@aol.com-DeleteThis Received: from MRTischler@aol.com-DeleteThis by imo13.mx.aol.com (mail_out_v22.4.) id 1VEKa13741 (4242) for <wind_talk@opus.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis>; Fri, 3 Sep 1999 17:28:07 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <fc5f398e.25019767@aol.com-DeleteThis> Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1999 17:28:07 EDT Subject: a close call at 3rd Ave last Saturday -- Mark Tischler To: wind_talk@opus.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable X-Mailer: AOL 3.0.1 for Mac sub 84
a close call at 3rd Ave last Saturday -- Mark Tischler
I had a very difficult experience last Saturday (Aug 28) at 3rd, and after
returning from a vacation trip this week, I thought I’d jot down a summary of
what happened and a few lessons learned....
At about 5pm during the strong ebb and about 25kts in the channel, I was
heading in from the far side of the flat topped barge (I think the one down
wind of the two masted barge). The chop was really weird due to the wind,
strong ebb and the 2 closely grouped barges. I was trying to head for the
down wind side of the barge but was quite out of control due to the strong
wind with my 5.4 sail, and weird chop combination. I got pitched over my rig
directly down wind of the barge (large slanted flat back side). I couldn’t
water start due to the wind shadow and immediately realized I was being
pulled fast toward the barge due to the strong ebb, and suction from the
heaving motion of the barge. I tried to swim my rig clear but within 15
seconds or so I was directly next to the back/bottom of the barge, and became
pretty concerned....
The heaving of the barge plus the ebb produced an incredible water suction,
and I came to the conclusion that I was in danger I being pulled under the
barge with my rig -- so I decided it was time to cut my losses and push my
gear away and swim to the upwind side of the barge... I pushed off of the
barge, and cut my hands on the coral underside -- bad move. I quickly saw the
tires on the side swam over and hung on briefly. At this point I had no idea
what happened to my gear and didn’t much care. I was getting hammered by the
chop slamming the tire and realized I wouldn’t be able to hang on much
longer. I thought briefly about shooting off a flare. At this point I saw the
metal ladder leading up the side of the barge and I climbed up to the top of
the barge which is incredibly big and high up from on top...
At this point I caught my breath after a pretty fierce struggle and realized
that I was ok though stranded -- and I had a 6:30 AM flight the next day on a
vacation to Santa Fe. I assumed that my rig was sucked under the barge within
the first few minutes and had been crushed....I didn’t see anyone close by so
I figured I would shoot a flare and turn on my strobe and someone would pluck
me off of the barge. Then I walked to the upwind side of the barge and I saw
my gear in the water upwind about 30 yrds from the upwind end of the barge!!
I didn’t know if everything was broken or not, but decided to make a run for
my gear. I considered diving into the water from the top/front of the barge,
but I was just to damn high up and I was unsure of what might be under water
just wind near the anchor... anyway I chickened out took a quick look at the
location of my gear and scrambled back down the ladder at the mid pojnt of
the barge. I pushed off and started swimming backstroke for the my gear. With
the huge swell and strong ebb I couldn’t see it well but I made good headway
and before I knew it found myself upwind of my gear! At this point I could
see that the swell was quickly moving my gear away from me down wind and
started to swim pretty frantically for the my stuff. I took in a few gulps of
salt water gagged a few time, and at this one point the thought of serious
danger of drowning crossed my mind. I made one last push for my gear and
managed to grab it -- everything was fine and without a scratch! I assume
that when I pushed it off the gear went upwind around the barge, but I didn’t
see it.
I managed to sail in passing by my buddy Glenn who had been looking for me....
My thoughts --
I think I made reasonable choices given the situations.
I think I was VERY fortunate on several occasions.
I was glad that I had a complete safety pack -- whistle, flair, and strobe --
I may have needed it.
I should have taken a calmer approach to swimming for my gear.
Although I had passed close by the barges many times. I will never try to
sail so close again.
I was a bit freaked out for a couple of days..... hope someone else learns
from my experience, see you at 3rd -- but not too close to the barges --
Mark Tischler
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