I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER - SwT 118 - SHARING MY MISTAKES

This is a great example in why I normally don’t do buddy sailing. Underway I discovered more and more problems not only with their boat but also the crew. This is a serious video with no script or acting only sharing the reality. The oceans don’t care if you’re a nice or sympathetic person, it threatens everyone the same. And disrespectful approach to oceans will cost your life. The aftermath from this sailing was pretty chocking to me. Owner of the boat I assisted don’t have money to keep up with maintenance making sure the boat is seaworthy. And the captains lack of understanding his responsibility and safety for his crew and himself is seriously questionable. On the boat side engine was not working properly, meaning they could not go above 1000rpm. No broadcasting AIS and no instruments working. No radar. A VHF only working 2,5NM when it should work at least 20NM. No satellite phone or modem for communication. Navigation lights not suitable for open water. No maps on the navigation systems only iPhone and the list goes on. On the crew side that should realised this is not a seaworthy boat leaving a marina late before a hurricane with no Jerry cans for extra diesel and already low on diesel. No sailing skills and obviously not understanding the incoming dangers.

My mistake was to believe a boat used for comercial charter would not only have competent crew but also a seaworthy boat. Their original plan was sailing to Cartagena in Columbia via Linton Bay in Panama. When showing them the weather and also the predictions for thunderstorms they asked to buddy sail with me to Bocas. Assuming they where at least capable of 5 kts and also willing to work hard to follow my route being the ones asking for permission to sail along with me. Meaning I had to delay my departure with one day, and even delayed this limit with almost one more day.

I have not shared everything here but I’m serious when saying this boat and it’s crew is an Desaster waiting to happen. All the ingredients for going totally wrong with a different outcome was here. If I had not pushed them so hard to get out of the hurricane zone they would been at the worst possible position and situation when Julia grew to a Hurricane. One of the two sailboats staying behind left next morning only 12-14 hours later. Meaning he was pretty close to us when I went back for my buddy boat telling them now it’s serious. His story is strong telling about the crazy weather destroying his sails on a big well maintained yacht, only hours behind us.

So I have my reasons also based on my decades of experience to believe this story could get a different outcome. Some luck that the hurricane did not form 10-15 hours earlier and grew a bit more. And the fact I did not give up on this hopeless crew. Nor the owner or it’s crew ever realised or understand this situation or the potential outcome. Some boats and sailors should stop

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ABOUT THIS CHANNEL:
I`m sailing around the world in my Bavaria 55 Cruiser, making videos whenever I have time for it. Most of the time I sail singlehanded but occasionally I do have sailing friends onboard. Still in the Caribbean due to Covid and was supposed to be in Asia by now.

Even though this is season 4 on youtube I did not make that many videos in the beginning. Before full-time sailing, I have sailed several seasons in the Med prior to this, and obviously also in Scandinavia. I have been traveling the world before and have also been an active regatta sailor for decades. I had my first sailboat at age 7 and have been sailing ever since. Also, more than 10 years of experience as a captain in Search and Rescue at sea in Norway.

PLEASE BE KIND IN THE COMMENTS!
I like to consider my returning viewers as friends. Rude comments and bad behavior equals banning from this channel. I’m more in for quality viewers than volume. I’m just a normal person sharing my travel adventure through my eyes and experience from my perspective! Remember how I do things that might work for me might not work for you. It might even not be the correct way to do things, and I don’t have the blueprint either. I’m not perfect and nobody is. The day I believe I know it all and don’t think I can learn new things I should go ashore. I enjoy sharing my mistakes as well as my knowledge and experience without trying to teach you anything.
Discussions around topics designs and sailing are always welcome. Personal attacks are from my perspective so low it qualifies for being kicked out of my Chanel permanently without warnings.