Videos > 75: Hugo Boss Close Call in Barcelona World Race, Miami Mermaids Mania, Avoiding Sailboat Sinkings
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- Barcelona World Race Near Collision and Update
- Last week in the Barcelona World Race, team Hugo Boss had a scary near collision with a merchant cargo ship.
- Skipper Alex Thomson had spotted the oncoming ship when she was still a good five miles away, but the cargo ship failed to see the black Hugo Boss monohull -- and consequently, was at fault in the incident. Here's why:
- According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO):
- "Every vessel must at all times keep a proper look-out by sight, hearing, and all available means in order to judge if risk of collision exists."
- Although the crew on Hugo Boss was keeping a proper look-out, the commercial ship was not.
- IMO regulations also state that "Except in narrow channels, traffic schemes, and when overtaking, a power-driven vessel must give way to a sailing vessel."
- Again, fault goes to the cargo ship, whose responsibility it was to steer away from the sailing Open 60.
- "Every vessel must at all times keep a proper look-out by sight, hearing, and all available means in order to judge if risk of collision exists."
- The duo aboard Hugo Boss tried to avoid the collision by altering their course a few degrees, which caused the vessel to end up on its side.
- This "close call" incident underlines the importance of a proper look-out and knowing AND practicing the basics of seamanship.
- Not only did Hugo Boss recover, but from December 6th–7th, the team set a new 24-hour record for monohulls up to 60 foot – 492.7 miles.
- As of December 7th, they were in 4th place behind the leader, French team PRB.
- Miami Mermaids Making a Major Splash at Parties and Events
- Meet the Miami Mermaids. Made up of three Mur-people: Mermaid Medina, Mermaid Misty and even a MerMALE, MerTini, this trio can be hired to swim in your pool or simply hang around "shipwrecked" (as they call it) when there is no pool or water.
- Find our more on their website at www.MiamiMermaids.net.
- Visit the Miami Mermaids' MySpace page (MySpace.com/miamimermaids) where, in their Top Friends section, you'll find signs of an entire mermaid culture:
- You'll not only find the Florida Keys Marine Mammal Rescue Team, but even some of their other mermaid pals.
- BoatUS Tips for Preventing Sailboat Sinkings
- When studying their insurance case files, BoatUS (the Boat Owners Association of the United States) found that 40 percent of the sinkings on file were caused by vessels striking a submerged object.
- Another 16 percent of reported sinking cases held that it was a broken prop shaft or strut that was responsible.
- In today's episode, we give you five BoatUS tips on how to prevent your sailboat from becoming another statistic.
- For more tips, please visit www.BoatUS.com.
- If you have any tips of your own to prevent sailboat sinkings, feel free share them to with us in the Forums over at TheBoaters.com.
- Julie's TheBoaters.com Sealebrity Profile Pick of the Day
- Captain Dennis (aka Diver Dennis), and his 1975 Marinette Express, Surface Interval.
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