How many boats have gone aground in inlets like this, even hit the rocks of the breakwater? How many have gone over that breakwater this season in the dark? How many boats hit rocks this season alone up and down the coast?

The reasons are all the same. Somebody made a mistake. Why? Fatigue, inexperience, seasickness, crew factors, racing,...it's all the same, a mistake is made.

Most of these incidents turn out fine, they float or kedge off on their own, Tow Boat US gets them off safely, most of the boats go on their way with little more than embarrassment. A few less lucky get towed into boatyards and marinas and get hauled for minor or major repairs(I see a few every year), and back out they go.

These incidents go largely unreported, most are unknown altogether. I find almost a code amongst sailors that mums the word on my mistakes. I think that goes way back to due to a sea that is very unforgiving. Yet somehow, I think silence is a mistake as well.

But the mistake cards can fall the other way, and they did on Ode to Joy. they can all go wrong instead. Suddenly, you're boats underwater, and you're looking back at it. These rare few incidents are the ones that get the press and often it can be brutal!

The outcome of this incident was catastrophic but the mistakes made, are not all that rare. We sometimes seem to judge these incidents by the outcome.

The cards could have easily fallen more severely and people could have been hurt, or,... Thank goodness, they were lucky.