Lone Sailor Narrowly Escapes Disaster as Storm Smashes Boat Onto Rocks

1 lives saved

Boating

Ocean

Thunderstorm

Weather

What happened?

Gusts were reaching seventy knots, but I was sheltered from the waves aboard my Rival 34, Soldemar. The intensity of the situation caused my snubber line to brake, and the anchor began to drag. I wasn’t too concerned at first, but within minutes I found myself in much rougher water. The anchor windlass couldn’t handle the drag of the anchor and chain along the seabed, and eventually, the windlass motor burned out.

Being alone, I couldn’t steady the boat with the engine while winching at the same time. The adrenaline rush was intense—I was too busy to feel scared, though the situation was terrifying. The boat was being tossed around like a rag doll.

Suddenly, the chain jumped out of the windlass gypsy, unspooling all the way out to the rode that connected the chain to the boat. With a sound like an explosion, the rode then snapped.

Due to the wind and waves, I couldn’t make any progress to windward and reach safety. Before long, the boat hit submerged rocks. The keel heeled nearly 90 degrees—the sound of it splintering and crashing was beyond words. It felt like the end. I gave the engine full power, and slowly, painfully, it dragged the boat off the rocks.

Then the engine gave out.

My mind almost broke. I was surrounded by chaos—too much wind for any sail—and was heading straight for a rocky shoreline.

I managed to pull myself together, called a Mayday on the VHF, and activated my rescueME EPIRB1. Minutes later, I was blown onto the rocks on the Isle of Fuday. Nothing in life had prepared me for this—it was like a waking nightmare.

The RNLI arrived on the scene along with a Coast Guard helicopter. My EPIRB had transmitted my exact coordinates. I scrambled off my wrecked boat and into the water, making it to a small RNLI inflatable with two lifeboatmen aboard, battling the surf. The larger Severn-class lifeboat, Edna Windsor, was holding in deeper water, and within minutes, I was safely aboard.

I spent a few days in the hospital on Barra due to exhaustion and to monitor my Type 1 diabetes. Right now, I’m waiting to see if my boat can be recovered.

But I’m alive! A huge thanks to the Barra lifeboat crew, the Coast Guard, and my Ocean Signal EPIRB.

—Matt

Words of wisdom

That yellow gadget attached to your bulkhead – Your EPIRB – Its the best friend you will ever have!

Thank you note to the Ocean Signal team

When I bought my Ocean Signal EPIRB1, I attached it to my bulkhead and basically ignored it from then on, until I needed it.  Then, on the fateful day, when I needed it, my EPIRB1 became my best friend.  Thank you Ocean Signal, your product saved my bacon!