Sailing in Severe Weather - Captain Shares His Lessons Learned

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Sailing in Severe Weather - Captain Shares His Lessons Learned

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In a gCaptain exclusive we were able to discuss the May 2007 abandonment of the s/v Sean Seamour II with her captain Jean Pierre de Lutz. This story was brought to us by Robin Storm, Marine Salvage Specialist, Maritime Severe Weather Spotter and editor of the excellent blog of his own name.

Here is a clip to bring you up to date on the Sean Seamour’s voyage
but for the full story visit Robin’s coverage of the incident: LINK

On or around 7 May 2007 the s/v Sean Seamour II was
struck by a what is believed to be a “freak wave”, during Subtropical
Storm Andrea. The sailboat was broadsided by a wave that did an great
deal of damage to the boat and sent the crew flying about the cabin
doing 360’s and causing its Master to break his ribs. The wave caused
the sailboat to immediately list starboard.

After a harrowing time riding the waves a EPIRB signal was received
by the USCG and a C-130 over fight located the wave riding crew. A J-Hawk Helicopter
was dispatched to the area and launched a rescue swimmer, who injured
his back during the insertion into the water, when a wave dropped from
beneath him and he dropped some 50 to 70 feet. All of this done in 50
to 70 foot seas, with winds estimated at 80 knots.

To continue here are the captain’s own words:

Lessons learned from the attempted May crossing of the Atlantic

Also: 

The story of the boat's EPIRB failure

The story from a severe weather expert's POV