sailfastchicago.com

Category: Boating Disasters

  • Breaking News:
    Boatyard Fire at Skipper Bud’s in Winthrop Harbor

    Click on the video above to play newscast

    CBS reports, as of Feb 15, 2008 11:02 am US/Central:

    Fire Breaks Out At Winthrop Harbor Boat Warehouse
    Skipper Buds Says It’s ‘Largest Marine Dealer In The Midwest’

    WINTHROP HARBOR, Ill. (CBS) An extra-alarm fire broke out Friday morning at a boat sales warehouse in far north suburban Winthrop Harbor near the Wisconsin border.

    A fifth alarm was called for the fire at Skipper Buds boat sales warehouse, marina and repair shop, according to a Winthrop Harbor fire dispatcher.

    Skipper Buds is located at 215 Northpointe Drive just off Sheridan Road and is the “largest marine dealer in the Midwest,” according to their website.

    The fire was burning in one of several a large steel-clad buildings where boats are stored for the winter on trailers. The blaze broke out at 8:30 a.m., and firefighters struggled fighting the fire fueled by plastics and synthetics.

    Crews from both Illinois and Wisconsin municipalities responded to the scene.

    There were no reported injuries.

    Source: CBS 2 Chicago

  • Good News: Barracuda replaced

    Barracuda, the Beneteau 40.7 which sank during the Chicago Mackinac return delivery last year, has been replaced.

    Steve Pelke is the proud new owner of Stingray, a Beneteau 36.7.

    We expect Stingray will be very competitive in the growing 36.7 one-design section.

    Congratulations, Steve!

    The Beneteau 36.7 North American Championship will be held in Chicago this year.

    The 2008 NA’s take place September 2 – 6, 2008, hosted at Chicago Yacht Club by the Lake Michigan Beneteau 36.7 Fleet.

  • Another sad passing:
    Tom Kennedy, Blu Interlude owner dies

    Sadly, there have been a series of death-related posts here on www.sailfastchicago.com. I was hoping to change the theme, especially in light of the holidays and hopes for a new year of sailing adventures.

    But, unfortunately, circumstances have included the loss of too many Chicago area sailors in recent months. It is with sadness and respect that we give recognition to these individuals, in priority over other less somber sailing news.

     

    Blu Interlude - small

     

    Tom Kennedy passed away suddenly at the end of 2007. He was the owner of Blu Interlude, Beneteau 47.7, sail number GBR 7237. According to sources, Tom was unexpectedly stricken with a heart attack. Paramedics were called to his home after Tom felt chest pains, but he suffered a massive attack prior to their arrival and could not be revived.

     

    Marty Bernstein raced regularly on Blu Interlude and shares this memorial tribute in remembrance of Tom Kennedy:

    Tom was one of the nicest gentlemen on Lake Michigan or anywhere. It was a tremendous shock for his crew, his family and friends. Hundreds turned out for his send off at St. Clement Church, and spent nearly three hours at an open mic at the reception following, telling stories and remembering a true sportsman.

    His first boat was Q-11, Robin, back in the day when Chicago had a sizable Q-Boat fleet. That was followed by the new Robin with the Shields fleet in Belmont Harbor. When his business prospered, he added the Ben 47.7 Blu Interlude, doing the last five Mac races on her.

    His generosity knew no bounds; he frequently implored the crew to take the boat out sailing when he was out of town. Tom couldn’t bear to have her just sitting on the mooring and the crew missing all the fun. Though fiercely competitive on the race course, the object was fun, no raised voices, no harsh words.

    If you met him just once, you were his friend. The Chicago fleet won’t be the same without him.

    Fair winds and gentle seas, sailor. We will miss you.

     

    About the Blu Interlude photo (www.sailfastchicago.com):

    Unfortunately, I did not get to know Tom, but sailed against Blu Interlude in the 2007 Tri-State Regatta. I shot the picture above during the St. Joseph, Michigan to Michigan City, Indiana leg of the race. Blu Interlude, Raven and St. Francis were the only three boats who ventured out into Lake Michigan, as the rest of the fleet all took a shore route. Raven passed Blu Interlude to windward, forcing Blu Interlude to tack into shore. Raven soon followed her in, but St. Francis continued on. After a period of little or no wind, the wind filled in with a change of direction, and St. Francis finished the race without ever tacking once, remarkably enough, finishing second-to-last in her section, but winning a moral victory by finishing ahead of Raven. Blu Interlude finished somewhere ahead of both of us.

    I was new to St. Francis and the racing section, and thus not well-acquainted with Tom or Blu Interlude, but the owners and crew of St. Francis all had good things to say about Tom and his crew. He will be missed and remembered fondly.

     

  • Another Corpse:
    Body Of Missing Kayaker Washes Up On Beach

    First-time Lake Michigan kayaker missing since October 28, 2007, dies; body washes up on beach…

    ZION, Ill. — A body that washed onto Illinois Beach State Park near Zion on Wednesday is that of a missing north suburban kayaker. The body has been confirmed to be that of Walter Doroba, 44, of 4461 Country Trail in Gurnee, according to Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller.
    The body was found washed ashore at Illinois Beach State Park just south of the Zion Nuclear Plant just after 3 p.m. Wednesday by a park employee, according to a Lake County sheriff’s police release.
    An autopsy conducted Thursday on the well-preserved body determined the cause of death to be drowning, Keller said. Cold weather and chilly waters may have contributed to the preservation, he said.
    Doroba was pronounced dead at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Illinois Beach State Park.
    Doroba was last seen on Lake Michigan about a mile from the Waukegan Harbor shore about 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, according to Lake County sheriff’s police.
    Shortly after he disappeared in late October, Doroba’s kayak, life vest and paddle were found by searchers, Lake County sheriff’s police Sgt. Chris Thompson said. Search and recovery efforts were terminated Nov. 1.
    Doroba was a novice to kayaking. He had recently purchased the kayak, and Oct. 28 was his first trip on Lake Michigan, Thompson said.
    The criminal investigation division of the sheriff’s police is investigating, Keller said.

    Source: http://www.nbc5.com/news/14730199/detail.html

    In the grim aftermath of Walter Doroba’s death, the Chicago Area Sea Kayakers Association (CASKA) has published kayaking safey information here: http://www.caska.org/safety.htm

  • Another Lake Michigan boating disaster:
    J/35 Jason: Initial Thoughts

    The loss of life is extremely tragic.

    This disastrous incident reaches all of us in the Chicago area sailing community, and hits close to home for many of us.

    I knew John Finn, and sailed the 1998 Chicago-Mackinac with him, before he owned J/35 Jason. I also sailed one beercan race on Jason, and enjoyed one of John’s rooftop parties which he very graciously hosted.

    I did not know the other crewmembers of the ill-fated delivery, and regret that I will never have the opportunity. I am both deeply saddened, and, quite honestly, somewhat outraged, that three lives are now no longer with us.

    Amidst the sadness and grief, there are questions surrounding this ill-fated delivery voyage. By all accounts, there were a number of opportunities where better decision-making would have resulted in a safer journey.

    Death is too high a price to pay for an activity we engage in only for pleasure. Unfortunately, the hazards of nature and elements beyond one’s own control sometime make that an unforgiving reality of the risks we take.

    However, we should not discount the importance of all efforts necessary to prevent danger.

    I cannot help but imagine the horror each of the four Jason crewmembers and the Coast Guard rescue team experienced on that night, beginning with the first awareness of the actual dangers involved in the voyage, to the loss of a crewmember overboard, the loss of the boat underneath your feet, and the individual fight for survival in the darkness against water, cold, and the unyielding breakwall.

    We can all be thankful for the call to the Coast Guard, and the Coast Guard’s prompt rescue response. Without the wherewithal to make those efforts, the entire crew would have been lost.

    My heart goes out to all who are affected by these events.

  • More 2007 Boat Carnage

    Seagoon suffered damage after hitting a submerged rock in the shallows of Beaver Island on Port Huron Mackinac return delivery. Stringer damage was serious and the boat is not expected to race again this season.

    Raven suffered a tiller failure on Mackinac return delivery, which was fixed. The boat was in Chicago to race Sunday.

    Jahazi was seen in Muskegon at Torreson’s last weekend, appearing to have keel damage which was repaired.

    Karma ran aground during Chicago Mackinac race and withdrew.

    Regardless is rumored to have run aground.

    Barracuda and her keel were recovered and transported to Manistee, where her fate remains to be decided. Hopefully she will be repaired and racing again soon.

    The Island House awards party for Chicago Mackinac race may be dead, also. By all accounts, the Grand Hotel party was superior in all respects.

  • Barracuda (Beneteau 40.7) sinks during Mackinac return delivery

    Barracuda (Beneteau 40.7) sinks during Mackinac return delivery - thumbnail image

    We are sad to report Barracuda suffered keel damage and sank on the Mackinac return delivery. The keel struck the bottom repeatedly during heavy seas in shallow waters before failing. After the keel was lost, water filled the hole and Barracuda sank within minutes. Three people were rescued, according to accounts from eyewitnesses, and no injuries or casualties have been reported.

    Our heartfelt condolences go out to owner Steve Pelke and crew chief John Boyle, and all crew on board. We hope for the sound recovery of Barracuda.

    Source: Sailing Anarchy forum thread – click here