Hey Steve,

The headsail "shredded", despite being furled? Yeah, sure... (grin)

Would be interesting to know whether or not they actually had any paper charts aboard... The latter possibility would not surprise me in the least...

Approaching Bermuda from the NW, the reefs definitely pose a serious risk... You want to be very sure of your position, and give them a wide berth, especially with any weather out of the N thru E... They probably would have been best off making their approach from the SW, the powerful light on Gibbs Hill is the one most likely to be picked up from a distance...

However, small boat sailors have managed to find Bermuda for decades before Steve Jobs began to work his magic... With the rig still in the boat, steering still in commission, etc., there would appear to be little apparent reason that would have prevented a capable crew from making their way under sail to the vicinity of the entrance to Town Cut, and receive a tow in or assistance from there... Bermuda Harbor Radio would have been watching them like a hawk from at least 30 miles out...

best regards,

Jon