I'm surprised not to hear from you Jim.

Do you consider overcast conditions, late in the day and amongst dangerous
reefs "to be almost perfect conditions"?



jofra


Hello Jim

Steve made a valid point and there is another one. You (Jim) stated and I
quote:-
"Word at the time however was that they were operating visually in almost
perfect conditions"

This does not quite tie up with the only written evidence we have at the
moment:"-

" The weather was relatively benign, with overcast and 10-15 knots of
breeze. The wind was very shifty, however, due to the effects of a
stationary front. Three boats remained at North Minerva, which is about 20
miles up from South Minerva.
"At about 2000 local time, we heard Pneuma's Mayday. We had been tuning up
Russell Radio for the evening roll call, but just happened to pause long
enough on the Puddle Jump frequency to hear Guy calling for help. We were
not the first to hear the Mayday, as it was heard over VHF on another
boat."

Presumably the problem occurred close to the time of the mayday being
heard which was 2000hrs local time or 1900hr NZDT. I haven't checked the
time of twilight on 21 November but I would at least expect darkness to
be galloping towards the horizon at the very least. Certainly not "almost
perfect conditions" that you stated.
Further the we know the weather was overcast with 10 - 15 knots of breeze.
No-one with reef experience would state that overcast conditions were
"almost perfect conditions".

Cheers

Jofra