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Man Overboard
I remember it was one of the Bermuda Yacht Races. The Spencer was given the duty of accompanying a group of sailing vessels from Newport RI to Bermuda. We would be close by to lend assistance if needed.
We did manage to visually see many of these yachts. Our surface search radar sure managed to plot considerably more than we saw. At times, the radar screen had so many blips you would think we were being attacked by mosquitoes. With them tacking back and forth it was an effort keeping track of which target went with which plot. A four-hour radar watch was a days work. We had two watches a day, plus drills and maintenance.
I do not know what the requirements were to be part of this race, but there were a few that did seem a little out of place. I understand why the Coast Guard assigned someone to keep an eye on the situation.
I cannot remember exactly where we were. It was the Atlantic. A call came in of a yacht in trouble. We were directed to the approximate location where we found the “yacht”. It was something less than twenty-five feet in length. Except for the fact that it’s sails were down it appeared OK.
It was pretty rough for a small boat and the winds were still increasing. We lowered a motor launch and sent someone to help. I did not see this myself, but word was that there was as much liquor aboard as there was food and water. Also one of the civilians had a bang on the head with a possible concussion, the other a broken arm.
The civilians were brought aboard for repair, and the ”yacht” was placed under-tow. We placed two of our men aboard the small vessel with a WWII walkie-talkie, and continued toward Bermuda. That night the wind became heavy. There was concern for our two men aboard the “yacht”, and they were checked on frequently. Early in the morning (Very early in the morning) the ship lost contact with the men aboard the “yacht”.
A small crew was sent to the fantail. (The stern or back of the ship) Sound powered phones were connected to keep in contact with the bridge. Our man on watch aboard the “yacht” was behind its wheel. The walkie-talkie was not working. The wind was too noisy to communicate by mouth, so the crew was told to bring the “yacht closer.
Now the back of a ship is not straight up and down. It curves inward as it goes down. That being said, when the “Yacht was pulled close, the ship hit a good swell. The front went down and the back came up. The line attached to the “yacht” was jerked forward pulling the “yacht” with it. Then the front of our ship went up the back came down. It hit the “yacht’s” mast. The man on the sound powered phone informed the bridge. He informed the bridge that the small mast was overboard. With the noise of the wind in the phones, it was taken as “Man Overboard”.
About 4:00 AM every man aboard was rousted on deck for a body check. The ship started its turn. Most, from the Captain on down, went to their proper location. Most had few clothes to meet the wind and rain. When the error was realized, most were angry.
Every entry in that race knew of the perils of
the ocean. (None had figured on the dangers of the rear-end of a Coast Guard Cutter.)
Please note that some of this story was word of mouth.
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