Collision of Boat 5 & 13
Before the start on the
Wednesday Races on June 7, 2001, boats #5 & #13
collided.
The collision occurred while boats were sailing around before the start.
The cause of the collision was a failure of both boats to keep a proper look-out (i.e. they did not see each other because they were not paying attention).
Keeping a proper look-out is one of the most fundamental rules of navigation.
As a skipper, this means designating a crew to look around the jib or genoa. If you are a crew, help out and be careful not to distract the skipper's attention from keeping a proper lookout.
The collision caused significant damage to #5. We have not seen a collision of this magnitude at the club for 4 years. And we have not seen a second collision of this magnitude for 8 years.
Boat #5 was decommissioned on Thursday and on Friday, she was hauled from the water and transported to our Maintenance Facility. Repairs began on Saturday.
We believe it will take approximately 2 weeks to complete the full repair.
During this time, the sailing teams involved in the collision will be suspended from the club. In addition, according to club rules, the cost of the repair will be split 50-50 between the teams unless they agree otherwise.
Paragraph 7 of the club's Skipper Agreement state, "I agree to reimburse the club for up to $2,000.00 for any and all damage to a boat I am operating. I also agree that in the case of my own negligence for failing to avoid a collision which results in significant damage to any vessel (regardless of whether I was the stand-on or give-way vessel) or negligence for operating a boat in an unsafe manner or in unsafe conditions (including operating in too much wind or with too much sail), I will be responsible for up to $4,000.00 in damage."
Normally, the financial liability of a skipper is $2,000. However, a collision like this clearly resulted from negligence of both skippers for failing to maintain a proper lookout, one of the most fundamental responsibilities in boating. Therefore, each skipper will be liable for the higher level of up to $4,000.
We expect the cost of the repair to near $5,000, which split between both teams would be $2,500 each. There is more than $1,000 worth of equipment which must be replaced and the labor involved will be more than 80 hours which is billed at the rate of $35 per hour.
 Another view of the crushed deck. |
 Close up looking in to the core. |
 The force on the bow pulpit split the deck open below the base. |
 The aft stanchion and base were destroyed. |
 The aft stanchion stopped the bow of #13. |
 The forward stanchion was bent inward. |
 The bow pulpit was cracked. |
 The bow pulpit was bent to port. |
 #13 only suffered minor damage to the bow. |
 The biggest damage to #13 was on the bow at the waterline where fiberglass has been exposed. |
 Inside, you can see lots of sunlight. |
 Another view from inside. |
 The damage extended the length of the inside cabinet. |
 The whole continued into the locker behind the fuse panel. |