Three Sailors Rescued from Boat Fire

October 17, 2016 – Los Angeles, CA

At some point during the fire, Laetitia's rig collapsed. We're not absolutely certain, but she looks like a Swan 44. © 2016 Petty Officer 2nd Class Philip Gilbert / USCG

The USCG, along with several local agencies, rescued three sailors after their boat caught fire Friday, near Rancho Palos Verdes, a city in Los Angeles County west of Long Beach.
The Coast Guard received a mayday call via VHF radio channel 16 from the 44-ft sailboat, Laetitia, reporting that the vessel's engine had caught fire and begun to spread. The three sailors aboard were directed to put on life jackets and move to the bow of the boat to keep away from the fire.

Crews from Harbor Patrol and Lifeguard boats fight the fire. © 2016 Petty Officer 3rd Class Gina Miele / USCG

The Coast Guard immediately launched a 45-ft response boat from Station Los Angeles-Long Beach and the cutter Blacktip, an 87-ft patrol boat, homeported in Channel Islands Harbor, to assist in the rescue. A Los Angeles City Fire Department boat crew, a Los Angeles County Lifeguard boat crew, four Baywatch vessels and an LAFD helicopter crew also assisted in the rescue.

A sad end to a fine vessel. Fortunately, the crew aboard were rescued in time. © 2016 Petty officer 2nd Class Philip Gilbert / USCG

At 3:30 on Friday afternoon, one of the sailors jumped into the water and was quickly and safely picked up by the L.A. County Lifeguards. The Coast Guard small-boat crew safely transferred the other two individuals to Blacktip. One of the mariners had burned hands; the other two were reported to be in good condition. All three were taken to Marina del Rey.

- latitude / chris

78) Long Beach arrival

The following is what I posted on the Chasch Mer Facebook site as the closing entry from the delivery:

Chasch Mer received an unexpected warm welcome as we entered the Long Beach Shoreline Marina yesterday about 240pm.  Clive’s wife Rhonda was at the entrance holding a sign that stated, “Welcome Home Chasch Mer 17 days but who’s counting”.   

She met us at the dock with a cooler full of ice and Firestone-Walker beer and I think we drank most of it before the sailing gear came off.  When that emergency supply of elixir was almost gone an angel in the mortal form of Eric Conn, for the record one of the best drivers I have ever seen, came floating down the dock in our direction with yet another cooler of beer!  No sense insulting the gods so we helped eliminate that beer too. 

Something can always be learned going offshore on long passages.  I discovered that if I store my face mask in the same foulie jacket pocket as the tootsie pop suckers the face mask magically smells like tootsie pop suckers!  Thank you tootsie pop sucker maker guy.

Why the face mask?  The answer is that it was part of the other items I wore when it got cold; thermals, thermal socks, insulated boots, pants, shirt, sweatshirt, hoodie sweatshirt, foulies.   

We didn’t need any cold weather stuff until we had climbed to our target latitude of 33.  Once we got there it seems we were greeted with, “Welcome to California” due to the drop in the air and water temperature.  And in retrospect, under her breath I think California said, “Now try to get here”.

In no uncertain terms the first week out of Kaneohe Bay was the most idyllic offshore sailing conditions I have ever experienced.  That memory will remain a benchmark.  The 2^nd half had at times some of the most difficult sailing I have ever experienced.  The duration of the conditions really influenced the difficulty at times.  Words at this time can only tell part of the story.  Fortunately, between the 4 of us we managed to get a lot of pictures and movie clips.  I will get some of it on youtube in the next few days.  I am positive that we have some unique images that are too good to not share.

In closing, I entered this delivery for the opportunity to go on another adventure.  I went in with my eyes wide open and early on realized there was an opportunity for more than blog material.  So, I set out with the intention to write a book about Chasch Mer and my experiences with her.  At this time I can in no uncertain terms state that I have all the material I need to tell a story.  This will probably take me more than a year to make it right.

I am now appealing to any and all SC50 owners & crew present and past to contact me if you have anything of interest that I can include in the SC50 story.  I intend to get as many anecdotes, quotes and short stories as possible that I can integrate into the sister-ship’s part of the saga.  Please feel free to contact me with anything that will help us all tell our SC50 story.

In closing, sunburned, wind-burned, tired, hungry, bruised and having gone without a shower for more than 2 weeks, we kept the pointy end in front of us and the stick in the air and were cosseted by one of the best constructed and performing sailing vessels on the water.

dammitDavid

PS: Apparently, as a sigh, my Mom uttered the words dammitDavid so many times when I was a wee single-digit that I thought that was my name. 

 

 

 

Long Beach Rock Bottom Brewery with Eric and Rhonda.

PS: Home again and back in the groove.

77) Delivery: day 17 Long Beach imminent arrival

May 7, 2011 12:53:23 AM

Rhonda,I'm sure you've been in touch with Clive. But Gib the owner sent this to me, I'm sure he thinks I'm going to be there. A little sad that I'm not, this will be the first time (in 10 years), I've not met Dave and "the boat" upon his return "home".

They will arrive at slip RIOI an end tie at Shoreline Marina.

See you soon.Hug Dave (and Clive) for me! And as always, Cheers! Tina

Date: Saturday, May 7, 2011, 6:56 AM

Hi there...thanks for the note.   Just by chance, I met with the marina supervisor yesterday and she then decided where she wants them to land.  She gave me parking vouchers, paperwork with the documents she needs -registration, insurance, etc... & also instructions on after hours arrival.   She asked that I call her cell when the docs have been filed with her office as this was arranged on the 'honor system'.  I will certainly do that as she was very nice and helpful!! 

Hugs to all the sailors, smelly or otherwise!

See ya soon,
Rhonda


5/7/11



Will arrive long beach shoreline marina today at 230pm.

Dave

Sent from my iPhone / Please excuse brevity and errors.

12am 5/7/11 to 2:50pm 5/7/11 (96nm/2,529)