HMS Bounty

[shane_mayhem]

Just saw the news that the crew of the HMS Bounty has abandoned ship off the coast of North Carolina. All crew are accounted for and are in survival suits in a lifeboat. The Coast Guard is en route and I hope they get to them soon

Comments

[duikermeisie]

Makes me wonder what happened that they got stranded out there. I'm assuming they're competent sailors who were trying to get to safe water and something went WRONG.

[shane_mayhem]

At 1830 yesterday they reported the ship having lost power, pumps unable to keep up with water coming on. (Bounty historically has had problems with her hull being a bit more leaky than normal for a wooden ship). The AS was issued this morning at 0430 Eastern, I'm assuming due to crew fatigue and taking on excessive water. As of right this minute Bounty is still floating upright and intact.

[duikermeisie]

....and the latest report is that she has foundered.

Damn.

[duikermeisie]

Two crewmembers are still missing--they were knocked overboard by a wave while trying to board the lifeboats--and the Bounty herself has foundered.

Damn and blast.

[duikermeisie]

If the report on CNN is correct, Bounty was trying to sail from the northeast (Philadelphia?) to St Petersburg FL, and had been in touch with the NHC daily. To which I say, as a professional mariner, WHAT THE FUCKITY FUCKING FUCK???? When you have a hurricane anywhere close to your area, you get the hell out of dodge, which for them would have been to get to a harbour of refuge BEFORE it hits, and you NEVER stay on the north side of the storm, and you NEVER cross the T! They sailed right into it, lost their ship, and may have killed two of their crew.

The skipper made the right decision by sending out the distress call when it was, and abandoning when it was clear that the sea was going to win. Fine. Still was unbelievably fucking stupid to have tried to sail past that thing.