UPDATED: Storm Sinks Small Sailboat

Fairhope, Al.

Councilman Jack Burrell provided the following update: 

"Here’s what I know straight from the “horse’s mouth”.  His rudder struck something in the water which caused a leak (possibly from the rudder bearing separating from the hull).  Rather than sink in deeper water and lose the vessel, he intentionally sailed to the first known sandbar he could, to keep the hull out of the water as much as possible.  He even tied the boat to the pier so it would not be construed as abandoned.  He has not mentioned a rescue, although all authorities came by to see if he was okay.  As of early this afternoon, he was using a gasoline powered high-capacity commercial water pump to pump the water out of the hull so that it will float (the pump will outpace the rate at which water is leaking into the boat) and have it towed to Eastern Shore Marine for removal from the water and repairs.  The owner is a retired U.S. Navy veteran and very seasoned sailor, even surviving the full brunt of the awful storm that struck during the Dauphin Island race.  He laid the boat on its side to survive the storm and eventually made it to Dauphin Island unaware of the tragedies that had occurred until reaching the island.  He had no intentions of leaving the boat.
 
As of 12:30 pm today, he was running the pump to float the boat."



A small sailboat sank over the weekend off of Magnolia Beach: occupants had to be rescued by police and fire personnel, according to mayor Kant.



Comments

Anonymous said…
I will never understand why people go out in such conditions it just puts innocent rescuers life in danger
Anonymous said…
I saw that boat before it sank, it was grounded about 30 feet from shore in seas that were not that rough. It appears the keil probably damaged the hull from repetitive pounding. Those people could have got out and walked to shore. Most sailers have sailed in much worse.
Understanding requires knowledge.
Anonymous said…
point being if you know weather is
not favorable stay put or at your own risk just my opinion understanding completely without your input
Anonymous said…
evidently help was needed..... that is what the article was about
Anonymous said…
From the video it appears the boat is only in a few feet of water, a few yards from shore..
Oh my God the sky is falling!
Anonymous said…
yeah that is what you generally do with a sail boat is sail close to shore lol I think the police and firemen are smarter than that Think before you comment, you look foolish
Anonymous said…
I've sailed Mobile bay for 40 years. Better foolish than stu___
Anonymous said…
I think one of those on here complained awhile back about our patriotic boys flying overhead, thinking they were spies sent by Putin.
Anonymous said…
Well you better hope your sorry --- gets rescued if the time comes. So your saying your old! hahahahaha Commenting like you are two people oh not that is new
Anonymous said…
If you read the heading of the story instead of watching video it clearly states that the occupants were rescued. READ!!!
Anonymous said…
From my 1st comment on I've only been trying and succeeding at riling up the Fairhope Times most ------ person. Checkmate. See you another day.
Anonymous said…
YOU NEED AN EDUCATION AS YOUR COMMENT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE
Anonymous said…
what I think happened is that you had someone read the heading to you instead of watching the video . What a load of I meant to do that !!!! Oh I can't stop laughing!
Publisher said…
Ok, lets not get carried away ... . The Mayor told a Times reporter the boat's occupants had to be rescued.