Monday, November 16

Update noon: Steve Black, owner of Cruising Rally Association, has been notified by the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) today that “the conditions are not favorable for finding Laura Zekoll alive.” The search and rescue mission involving the US Coast Guard, the Bahamas Defense Force, BASRA, and local efforts since Saturday night has resulted in “no findings.” The US Coast Guard has suspended its activity. The BDF will suspend its activity today. BASRA will continue aerial surveys of the vessel and area.

In Tortola, Cruising Class 7 participant, Celebration, a Tayana 64 owned by David Povich & Brendan Sullivan, finished the passage first. Line Honors go to Sunsets, a MacGregor 65 in Rally Class I, owned by Howard Wiess and Kelly Reed. Twenty boats arrived last night and 40 more are expected in port today. Agua Dulce has diverted to Puerto Rico.

IMHO....
The Owner/Captain of Rule 62 really screwed up BIGTIME. Trying to enter North Channel, between South Pelican Cay and Lynyard Cay carrys only 16-18 feet of water, is very narrow, not marked (as all cuts in the Bahamas are), should NEVER be attempted at night, ever, even in the best of times; should never be attempted when a BIG swell is running, as it was and ALL cruising guides and Explorer Charts states very clearly......"That never attempt this pass when a big sea is running and never at night". This guy did both.

Question, should the owner of that boat, be compensated by his Insurance Company for a total loss, even if it was his entire fault?

This guy is a #@%* up.