#solosailing — Public Fediverse posts

‘I LOST MY BOAT, NOT MY LIFE’: Dramatic 6m sea rescue for solo sailor after maiden voyage from Swansea turns into ‘action movie’ nightmare

Max, a Forces veteran and former Helicopter Winch Operator, had expected a challenging but fun trip to Scotland aboard his newly purchased 30ft yacht, a 1975 Carter 30.

Despite his extensive safety preparations—including dual autopilots, AIS, and extra safety lines—nature had other plans for his maiden voyage.

Shortly after entering the Bristol Channel, the “nice sailing” conditions evaporated as unexpected gale warnings and ferocious 40-knot gusts tore across the water.

The situation turned critical when the vessel’s engine faltered, filling the compartment with smoke and leaving 200 litres of sooty water sloshing below deck.

“I didn’t want to enter Milford Haven at night as I wasn’t familiar with the VTS there,” Max recalled. “I really didn’t want to be in a rescue situation in total darkness.”

As dawn broke, Max made the life-saving decision to call for help while he still had power and some control over the rolling boat.

The Angle RNLI lifeboat arrived in the middle of a “confusing” sea state, but the drama was only just beginning.

While under tow, a violent wave sent Max flying into the cockpit, injuring his back, before another massive roller tipped him into the freezing water.

Thankfully, he was still attached to the boat by his safety line—a feature he had meticulously fitted before leaving Swansea.

“It was like something out of an action movie,” Max said. “The waves were crashing over our heads, and my feet were slipping against the boat’s propeller.”

In a daring move, an RNLI crewman cut Max free and inflated his lifejacket, allowing him to be hauled to safety aboard the lifeboat.

Reflecting on the loss of his vessel, Max said: “I am forever grateful to HM Coastguard and the lifeboat crew, who showed such skill, compassion, and humanity. I lost my boat, but I didn’t lose my life.”

Max’s Top Solo Sailing Advice

https://www.laviezine.com/1219933/kicked-out-of-bayonne-france-awanui-nz-ep-116/ Kicked out of Bayonne France – Awanui NZ Ep 116 #adventure #BayonneFranceTour #boat #boating #CostOfBoating #CostToOwnANordhavn #nordhavn #PlacesToTravel #sail #sailing #SoloSailing #SouthOfFranceDestinations #SouthOfFranceTour #SouthOfFranceTravel #SouthOfFranceTrip #SouthOfFranceVacation #travel #TravelVlog #What’sItLikeBoatingAlone

An acknowledgement of New Zealand’s past - Waitangi Day, a day to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, Te Tiriti o Waitangi..

#solosailor #solosailing #sailinglife #sailingnz #nzsailing #destinationnz #sailing #cruisinglifestyle #sailingphotography #historynz #howiseethings #rawcommunity #iphonephotography #waitangi #waitangiday #tetaitokerau #waitangitreatygrounds #treatywontgoaway #bayofislands #howiseethings

#Sailing #SoloSailing dismasted in Southern Indian Ocean

"the immediate goal is to reach the belt of gentle favourable winds that will make this incredible feat somewhat more bearable."

https://globalsolochallenge.com/celebrations-roaring-forties/

Here's someone who's truly unlike most others. And in a good way.

#sailor #sailingRace #AroundTheWorld #SoloSailing #SoloSailor #Guts #Grit #Determination #Heart #ToughBroad #HardActToFollow

Gifted WaPo article:
https://wapo.st/454mZ2G
via @washingtonpost

Here's someone who's truly unlike most others. And in a good way.

#sailor #sailingRace #AroundTheWorld #SoloSailing #SoloSailor #Guts #Grit #Determination #Heart #ToughBroad #HardActToFollow

Gifted WaPo article:
https://wapo.st/454mZ2G
via @washingtonpost

Here's someone who's truly unlike most others. And in a good way.

#sailor #sailingRace #AroundTheWorld #SoloSailing #SoloSailor #Guts #Grit #Determination #Heart #ToughBroad #HardActToFollow

Gifted WaPo article:
https://wapo.st/454mZ2G
via @washingtonpost

Here's someone who's truly unlike most others. And in a good way.

#sailor #sailingRace #AroundTheWorld #SoloSailing #SoloSailor #Guts #Grit #Determination #Heart #ToughBroad #HardActToFollow

Gifted WaPo article:
https://wapo.st/454mZ2G
via @washingtonpost

Here's someone who's truly unlike most others. And in a good way.

#sailor #sailingRace #AroundTheWorld #SoloSailing #SoloSailor #Guts #Grit #Determination #Heart #ToughBroad #HardActToFollow

Gifted WaPo article:
https://wapo.st/454mZ2G
via @washingtonpost

Last week I commented that I sometimes quite enjoy fault-finding and resolution on the electrical systems on boats.
Today I was reminded that the same categorically does not apply to the 'black water' systems on boats. The only upside to that work is the shower afterwards.
I have nothing more to say about this. 😑
#sailing #solosailing

Last week I commented that I sometimes quite enjoy fault-finding and resolution on the electrical systems on boats.
Today I was reminded that the same categorically does not apply to the 'black water' systems on boats. The only upside to that work is the shower afterwards.
I have nothing more to say about this. 😑
#sailing #solosailing

Once upon a time I lived in a house, had a job, and owned a car. I often used to think: "Man I wish I lived on a boat. I could sit back all day taking it easy."

Now I live on a boat, and I sometimes think: "Man, I wish I lived in a house and owned a car. I could sit back all day taking it easy."

The latter does not happen as often as the former used to, but it still makes me chuckle at myself sometimes.

#sailing #solosailing

Once upon a time I lived in a house, had a job, and owned a car. I often used to think: "Man I wish I lived on a boat. I could sit back all day taking it easy."

Now I live on a boat, and I sometimes think: "Man, I wish I lived in a house and owned a car. I could sit back all day taking it easy."

The latter does not happen as often as the former used to, but it still makes me chuckle at myself sometimes.

#sailing #solosailing

Several windy days at my (bug-free) river anchorage over the last week saw SV Alexa drag anchor a little (< 10m) so today I moved and re-anchored about 100m downstream. Weirdly, I'm now being invaded by flying bugs, although no closer to the nearest shore. 😒 Guess I'll go back tomorrow and let out some more rode.
#sailing #solosailing

Several windy days at my (bug-free) river anchorage over the last week saw SV Alexa drag anchor a little (< 10m) so today I moved and re-anchored about 100m downstream. Weirdly, I'm now being invaded by flying bugs, although no closer to the nearest shore. 😒 Guess I'll go back tomorrow and let out some more rode.
#sailing #solosailing

Just spent most of 2 days crawling around "head down, bum up", so to speak, in the bilges and other inconvenient places, trying to track down an electrical problem.
Turns out a relay in my house-battery system had developed a fault, and was preventing alternator supply power from getting to the batteries, and seems to have been causing a slow drain as well. Also found part of the circuit has lighter cable size than should be, which aggravated the problem.
I usually quite like electrical-fault finding. It's often not a terribly expensive process, uses quite a lot of thought, and has satisfying outcomes most of the time.
Could be more comfortable and elegant though!
#sailing #oldboats #solosailing

Just spent most of 2 days crawling around "head down, bum up", so to speak, in the bilges and other inconvenient places, trying to track down an electrical problem.
Turns out a relay in my house-battery system had developed a fault, and was preventing alternator supply power from getting to the batteries, and seems to have been causing a slow drain as well. Also found part of the circuit has lighter cable size than should be, which aggravated the problem.
I usually quite like electrical-fault finding. It's often not a terribly expensive process, uses quite a lot of thought, and has satisfying outcomes most of the time.
Could be more comfortable and elegant though!
#sailing #oldboats #solosailing