Sunday, November 24, 2013

Easy Go Lost


Easy Go was lost on November 5, 2013 while on our way to the Caribbean directly from Cape Breton Island. This is a mid ocean route crossing the Gulf Stream around 60 degrees west. We found ourselves in very strong storm conditions in an area of the Gulf Stream with strong current some 700 miles off of Cape Cod. We were unable to work our way out of the complex conditions presented by wind over current after 5 days while steadily being driven east. We normally try to get across the Gulf Stream in less than one day. We left with a favorable weather forecast but found ourselves in trouble with many miles to go. Early winter brings on changeable conditions that make this particular passage challenging, even for those of us who have done it a number of times.

Easy Go performed well in beating to windward in 45 knots of wind for four days with the wind aligning with the current favorably. While rough Easy Go persisted. I was unable to cook or rest adequately in these conditions. When the wind shifted to NE and increased the situation became overwhelming with wind over current. The current in this area was running in excess of 3 knots. A series of small equipment failures (sails, electronics and water ingress), that in lesser conditions could have been rectified relatively simply, could not be addressed. My own fatigue and deteriorating condition was a major contributing factor. Making the decision to call for assistance while still afloat and with the energy to save myself was not easy but was necessary. I felt conditions would deteriorate further and this proved to be the case over the next few days with continuous gale to storm force winds followed quickly by Tropical Storm Melissa.

I put out a Mayday via SPOT. AMVER, via the US Coastguard arranged for two ships, Bishu Highway and Athina L to attempt a rescue. After waiting for conditions to improve we decided to abandon ship, in consultation with Athina L, in 6 meter waves and 40 knots of wind in the dark. More info about the rescue will be available at a later date.

Athina L took me to her next port of call in Hunterston, Scotland where I spent time recovering from injuries with the assistance of friends from the Ocean Cruising Club (OCC). I have since returned home to River Bourgeois, Cape Breton where I continue to recover. I mourn the loss of Easy Go. She took great care of me for a lot of ocean miles as did her predecessor the first Easy Go. There was no insurance so the next Easy Go will take some time to come to be. Lost everything but my life; the adventure continues.

In this article the "We" referred to is myself and Easy Go. I was sailing single handed. No lives were lost.

10 comments:

  1. Just glad that you are safe Bob, the boat can replaced although we realize it was a great loss. You however could not be replaced. What an experience , but one that would have terrified the life out of us. Wonderful news that you are well xxxxx

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  2. Those of us who have built their own boats will have some idea what you must be going through just now. All that blood, sweat and tears, not to mention the many voyages with her. Glad you got home in one piece. The adventure continues.

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  3. Glad to read that you are safe, You made the right call Bob. Life and survival must always take first place. May you return to your travels in full health and spirit ASAP.

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  4. You did the right think - preserving your life first. I'm so sorry for your lost. I know what you are feeling, I also lost my boat last june in Atlantic North, built by myself and no insured. But I had the luck 1 month after he appeared not far from where I was. Maybe Easy Go will come to you also. All the best, Dino from Lua (Terceira Is.)

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  5. Bob, very very sorry to hear about this and hope you are recovering. Is it possible that Easy Go is still afloat and drifting ? Can you guestimate her drift. Just a small chance that she may be found. LUA was found after a month adrift without crew or rudder. regards Paul

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  6. Easy Go very well could be adrift and magically reappear some time in the future. That is my hope. With the current and the set of the winds it is possible she will arrive near the Azores. The ocean is large.

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  7. Hi Dino! You are in just the right place! Great if you can alert the coastguard / fishermen / etc. regards, Paul

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  8. I met a "Dino" at the marina in Praia DA Vitoria when we wintered over there in 2007. Hoping that Easy Go appears in the Azores and I can return to get her back in shape.

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    1. Hi Bob, yes that Dino in Azores marina's is just one - Me. Kairoan (catamaran 37' in Praia) owner's son. I will speak with people about the probably Easy Go landing in Azores. Friends in SATA (local airplane company who do all islands every days, coast guards friends and friends in general that go to the sea, in the marinas also). It can appear, and Paul knows it very well - he was in Ireland last summer and follow close my ordeal and helped with contacting authorities, support and in the end bringing Lua from Donegal (NW) to Valentia Is. (SW Ireland), where she is in the hard waiting for new rudder and some small modifications. Regards, Dino.

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    2. Hi Dino...You give me hope that Easy Go will find her way back to me. The chances are small, but possible. A yacht was abandoned two years ago north of Bermuda in a similar storm and was found floating seven months later.

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