Another interesting event on the water. 1 seemingly minor flaw can have severe consequences :-(
Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2005 00:03:58 -0400
With pictures at:
http://www.intandem.com/NewPrideSite/Pride2/Logs/090505RigFailure.htm
=============== RIG FAILURE September 5, 2005 On Monday, September 5, while sailing with other tallships in the Santander Regatta from Torquay, UK, to Santander, Spain, Pride II experience a massive rig failure. While sailing in a localized squall, the bowsprit cracked and broke at about half it's length. Since there are wire rope stays from the bowsprit that secure the foremast, after five minutes in the rough seas the foremast cracked off three feet above the deck The wire rope stays that secure the foremast are also fixed to the mainmast, so it too broke off under the strain of the sea swells about 25 feet above the deck. Miraculously no one was injured in the incident, but Pride II is completely dismasted. Fortunately, the crew was able to salvage all of the sails and most of the rigging. Captain Miles was able to motor the vessel the 80 miles to Saint-Nazaire on the French coast of Biscay Bay where the vessel is now moored while repair possibilities are being evaluated.
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