The problem with auto pilot?
 

From the Catalina Island Avalon Harbor Report
"Thursday, January 12, 2006
1045
Harbor officers aboard Rescue 2 responded to Willow Cove where a 65' motor
yacht had run aground. Officers boarded the vessel shut down its engines and
searched for persons aboard. No persons were found aboard the vessel.
Baywatch Avalon and County Fire 55 investigated further. A search was
started to try and locate anyone who may have fallen overboard. Rescue 2 and
other units suspended their search after the sole occupant was located
clinging to a navigational buoy 1 mile outside of Los Angeles. " [WC is
about 25 to 30 miles from Los Angeles.]

I'm glad this fellow was found alive.

I wonder if he set course for the Willow Cove beach or did he get lucky with
a soft landing instead of on the rocks. I've included a photo of Willow
Cove; because it's there. http://www.kayakcatalinaisland.com/willow.gif

There's no real point to this post, I'm just killing time.

The problem with auto pilot?
 

Bryan wrote:
From the Catalina Island Avalon Harbor Report
"Thursday, January 12, 2006
1045
Harbor officers aboard Rescue 2 responded to Willow Cove where a 65' motor
yacht had run aground. Officers boarded the vessel shut down its engines and
searched for persons aboard. No persons were found aboard the vessel.
Baywatch Avalon and County Fire 55 investigated further. A search was
started to try and locate anyone who may have fallen overboard. Rescue 2 and
other units suspended their search after the sole occupant was located
clinging to a navigational buoy 1 mile outside of Los Angeles. " [WC is
about 25 to 30 miles from Los Angeles.]

I'm glad this fellow was found alive.

I wonder if he set course for the Willow Cove beach or did he get lucky with
a soft landing instead of on the rocks. I've included a photo of Willow
Cove; because it's there. http://www.kayakcatalinaisland.com/willow.gif

There's no real point to this post, I'm just killing time.


Watch for more incidents of this type.
A growing number of people seem to believe that if they can run their
electronic toys, those electronics will somehow, magically, run the
boat. Too many people using gizmos to substitute for basic skills
rather than enhance them.

Could be that the guy was single handing and went on deck to attend a
loose line, forgotten fender, etc. Shoulda been wearing a pfd on deck
if he was by himself -65 footer or no- and he should have taken the
boat out of gear if he was leaving the helm to go on deck and there was
nobody else to keep watch. If he falls overboard wearing a pfd and the
boat is at a dead stop, he has a reasonable chance to get back aboard
via a boarding ladder at the swim step or etc. Of course he didn't plan
to fall overboard, which is consistent with 99% of everybody else who
falls overboard.

The problem with auto pilot?
 

wrote in message
ups.com...

Bryan wrote:
From the Catalina Island Avalon Harbor Report
"Thursday, January 12, 2006
1045
Harbor officers aboard Rescue 2 responded to Willow Cove where a 65'
motor
yacht had run aground. Officers boarded the vessel shut down its engines
and
searched for persons aboard. No persons were found aboard the vessel.
Baywatch Avalon and County Fire 55 investigated further. A search was
started to try and locate anyone who may have fallen overboard. Rescue 2
and
other units suspended their search after the sole occupant was located
clinging to a navigational buoy 1 mile outside of Los Angeles. " [WC is
about 25 to 30 miles from Los Angeles.]

I'm glad this fellow was found alive.

I wonder if he set course for the Willow Cove beach or did he get lucky
with
a soft landing instead of on the rocks. I've included a photo of Willow
Cove; because it's there. http://www.kayakcatalinaisland.com/willow.gif

There's no real point to this post, I'm just killing time.


Watch for more incidents of this type.
A growing number of people seem to believe that if they can run their
electronic toys, those electronics will somehow, magically, run the
boat. Too many people using gizmos to substitute for basic skills
rather than enhance them.

Could be that the guy was single handing and went on deck to attend a
loose line, forgotten fender, etc. Shoulda been wearing a pfd on deck
if he was by himself -65 footer or no- and he should have taken the
boat out of gear if he was leaving the helm to go on deck and there was
nobody else to keep watch. If he falls overboard wearing a pfd and the
boat is at a dead stop, he has a reasonable chance to get back aboard
via a boarding ladder at the swim step or etc. Of course he didn't plan
to fall overboard, which is consistent with 99% of everybody else who
falls overboard.


Reading all coast sports (thanks to Bill Mckee) the discussion there seems
to be that the guy went onto his swim platform while boat was moving and ...
In addition apparently he sees the event as a sign from God and now he will
now live a godly life acting as an agent of God.
It always reminds me of the joke where the flood waters are rising and the
man trapped in his house tells the fire dept with the truck, the boat that
comes by and the helicopter that comes by, "no thanks, I'll trust in the
Lord." He drowns and while complaining to St. Peter, St. Peter says "He
sent you a fire truck, a rescue boat, and a rescue helicopter. What more do
you want?" Maybe it's a sign from God. Then again maybe it's just a sign
that he should have done everything you suggested: stop the boat, put on a
pfd, tether to the boat, ... ; )

Bryan