On Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:10:45 GMT, Don W
wrote:

Redsky wrote:

Emergency services in Australia have launched a search for the three-
man crew of a yacht found drifting off the North Queensland coast.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6574547.stm

- Dennis Jay
Annapolis, MD


I saw that story on Yahoo this morning also.
According to the story, the motor was running, a
laptop was on, and there was dinner set on the
table. The three crew were missing. How odd.
The Aussies have towed in the Cat and recovered
the GPS to look at where it has been.

Trying to think of possible scenarios:

1) Drug rendezvous off the coast went badly, and
crew were kidnapped or killed.
2) MOB and the rest of crew fell in during rescue
attempt?
3) Falling out among the crew. Murder & suicide?

Hmm...

Don W.

I somehow find it difficult to imagine a torrid love triangle between
three middleaged Australian sailors. It would be more likely to be
annoyance over warm beer.

I haven't experienced it myself in that area but know people who have
been suddenly set upon by a dry rain very, localised downdraft that
can cause instant surface winds of up to 200 knots. It is caused by
rain falling the upper atmosphere. It is sudden, often out of a clear
blue sky on a low wind day, and is localised, thus not showing up on
any weather system.

I am sorry but I can't recall the name. It'll come to me at the top of
the damned mast later today when I cannot use a pen.

regards
Peter