Power cat disaster in Hout Bay, South Africa

No.

Taniwha, its nice to have someone on the spot, dealing with the matter to inform us of the real facts. Us mortals inland have to reply on the press and media and these usually wants sensation to sell which unfortunately also muddy the water so to speak.

Thanks for stating the facts firsthand and keep us on speed please.

 

taniwha - good posts thanks
maybe we can see pics when they get it out of the water with the outboards?

 

Canada has adopted 12217 as the stability standard for vessels (pleasure and commerical) under 15 gross tons.

 

just in - a video of the boat from a divers helmet cam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vHRdXgoc0WA

 

Well his nerves are shattered, poor chap will probably never get on a boat again
2x 250 Suzuki's (looks like 4strokes) looks new?

When I look at the swells (and this is a calm day) and I look at the upside down hull - 42 persons just doesn't click
That boat in those swells ?? 42 people ?? inboards swapped for outboards ??

 

For the folks reading this thread
Houtbay is one of the really pretty places in the Cape
The pics are what I took myself when I was on holiday there Dec 2010
Fantastic sea food in beautiful surroundings.

Here is a video of the The Red Bull Big Wave Africa Contest
at 2.30 there is a nice shot of Houtbay from about the same spot as where I took my pics

This video shows how wild it can get outside Houtbay on a windy day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_I_CmXTwsNU#!

http://www.thebigwaveblog.com/surf-spots/dungeons-south-africa

the more you look at it the more puzzleling it gets
Cape Weather + 42 people = no way :!:

 

That is a step in the right direction, how many other countries outside Europe apply 12217?

 

I can almost see my boat between the masts.

 

yes the outboards were about 6 months old.

 

My sympathies go to the families of those lost and others having to deal with this tragedy.

 

Very brave words from SAMSA this morning but no details yet

We know why boat capsized - Samsa
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/We-know-why-boat-capsized-Samsa-20121017

they haven't even got the boat out yet but they think they know - slow down SAMSA you have other disasters waiting to happen.
SAMSA you should start working on your future problems NOW

 

Gents this video clip is important.
It is a compilation of pics from an Afrikaans newspaper.
It shows pics of the rescue, probably about an hour after the accident.
Please take note of the angle of the sun (late afternoon) and take a close look at the sea-state (very mild)

http://afrikaans.news24.com/Multimedia/Suid-Afrika/Bootongeluk-Oorlewendes-gesels-20121016

This looks like the boat design is not hot?
That sea-state is calm weather for Laser and Hobycat sailors.

 

Seas always look flat in pictures.....in the video someone (Rescue diver?) mentions traveling (I assume drifting) 3KM between arriving on scene and finishing getting everyone out......strong current?

It's possible the capsize was in breaking surf....or close to it? For officials to state they "Know what happened" is pretty poor. Pre-conceptions don't help. Better to gather all evidence, get statements from everyone, then work out what happened.

 

You are right Tad the wind was about 30 knots we just had opening cruise of the yacht club and it was decided to use only jibs. Also remember that the boat drifted very quickly away of the place of the accident, altough the skipper did trow out the anchor after the engines failure. The waves can be very high at the Dungeons and down to nothing at Maori bay only a mile apart.

 

I spoke to some folk who are closely involved through Sea Rescue, etc., that evening, and I agree with Taniwha about the changeability of sea-state.
Hout Bay is extremely varied in what it can offer sea-state-wise.
It would have been blustery at the ferry-dock- more than a fair warning for prudent tourists, I would think.
In the City where I was, it was blowing dogs off their chains!
Almost immediately after leaving the harbour, and definitely before rounding Hangberg- the high peak in Manie's first pic that you can see across the Bay- the wind shows its true self in our nasty Southeaster, and a prudent skipper would definitely consider the seastate outside the harbour before leaving dock. If I had the option of sipping a well-chilled beer whilst staring at Chapman's Peak, or going out and getting a personal experience of the South Atlantic, I'd even opt for several tepid beers!
No- I think the lure of fare-paying punters persuaded the operators to put to sea in that kind of breeze, and I think the vessel wasn't man enough for the sea-state, not a reflection of the skipper's judgement call to drop the hook. Kudos to him and the heroes who gave of their time...