A sad, and just barely non-tragic, tale.
Beware the phrase: Don't Worry.
From the Cape Dory Board:
http://www.yachtingmagazine.com/how-to/seamanship/offshore-safety-lessons
Interesting story. Very common theme, though; just about every such story you read like that is the same: inexperienced/incompetent crew, boat systems fail, etc. The lessons learned are almost always the same, too.
Makes me wonder...
Also, and not to slam this guy in particular, but have you ever noticed that the person writing the article/story is always the one 'getting things done?' In these articles, everyone else on board is a booby. I find that interesting. In cases like this, I'd like to see an article that included everyone's account; might be interesting to see the different perspectives.
And here we go, the true crux and a point often mentioned on SailFar:
Quote
when you venture offshore, no one is more responsible for your safety than yourself.
Capt. I wonder if the person getting things done is the only one who invested time into learning about sailing and ended up on a discussion group? I have a few of those stories, but they are because of my own stupidity- but I was the Captain therefore I went under the water and floorboards to turn off the thru-hull....
Now that is one I will never tell completely :)