Maxi Canter, Rambler, capsizes in Fastnet Race

[Doug Lord]

From Scuttlebut tonight:


* The 100ft US maxi Rambler, which lost its canting keel and capsized in
the Rolex Fastnet race, is "very unlikely" to contest this year's Rolex
Sydney-Hobart race, says her boat manager Mick Harvey. Commenting on
speculation that charterer George David would have the boat and her new
keel shipped directly to New Zealand to be fitted and rig re-installed
before crossing the Tasman for the start, Harvey said: "It is very unlikely
that we will be racing Rambler 100 in the Hobart race this year. -- My
Sailing, read on: http://tinyurl.com/MySailing-090611


UPDATE: 9/10/11 http://www.mysailing.com.au/news/ram...fter-keel-loss

[peter radclyffe]

http://www.voilesetvoiliers.com/items/remote_print/5879

[Doug Lord]

Documentary on the incident: http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1116550

[Doug Lord]

From Scuttlebutt tonight:
As a result of the US yacht RAMBLER 100 losing their
keel and capsizing in the 2011 Rolex Fastnet Race, US SAILING conducted a
Safety Review to answer two questions: What should American Sailors learn
from the RAMBLER 100 capsize during the 2011 Rolex Fastnet Race and what
improvements to US SAILING Procedures and Regulations might prevent a
reoccurrence of this incident. Here are some of the safety reviewer's
observations and notes:

- Digital Selective Calling (DSC) was installed but not used
- Handheld VHF never made it topside
- Satcom C was installed but not turned on
- Have not found the 14 ton keel yet. Salvage cost exceeds value of metal
in the keel.

* Many things went very seriously wrong. The fact that there were no major
injuries or casualties can be credited to the calm and professional manner
in which the crew worked together and helped each other but LUCK also has
to be mentioned. Had any one of several fortunate circumstances been
different the outcome would surely have been significantly different.

* No casualties or injuries should not be interpreted to mean that serious
corrective actions are not required. All offshore racers, especially those
with canting keels and movable ballast, should at least have access to a
grab bag and a liferaft from an inverted position.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Conclusions should not be made based on the report excerpts listed above.
Please read the complete report.
===================


This is the US Sailing report on the Rambler keel incident and capsize: