Hey Tom,

...that the current frequency of boats being abandoned offshore is almost matching that of years past... (grin)

Well, these guys certainly can't be accused of stepping off prematurely, or unnecessarily. This is about as close to "Stepping UP into the liferaft" as I'd ever want to get:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcf1tCqYf7I

They were dismasted, I wonder if this might have been a case of the rig punching a hole in the hull before it could be cut free?

Good looking boat, anyone recognize it? Twin rudders, some sort of French centerboarder, perhaps? They'd been to St Augustine at some point, perhaps before setting off for Bermuda? Another amazing rescue, these guys were really OUT there...

best regards,

Jon