DETAILS:
 

Nominators Name: Gregory Miller
Event Name: Pamlico Sailing Club Spring Series
Sponsoring Yacht Club: Pamlico Sailing Club
Date of Event: 04/15/00
Event City: Washington
Event State: NC
Date of Incident: 04/15/01
Body of Water: Pamlico River
First Victims Name: Dyk Luben
First Boat Name: Mara
First Boat Length: 22
First Boat Make Model: J/22
Rescuing Skipper: Randy Boyles
Rescuing1 Boat Make Model: J/30
Rescuing1 Boat Name: Rocket J
Rescuing1 Boat Length: 30
What was the nature of this incident: Skipper overboard
Did a Mayday call go out: yes
Who responded: Communication with the USCG was in progress when rescuing boat interrupted on radio to inform of skipper's safety.
Was any injury sustained by the victim: n
Can your story be published: y
Can you provide articles about this event: y
Was a PFD worn: N
What position was the victim working before they went in: Skipper
Was this day or night: day
Wind speed: est 40 knt
Wave height: 3
Water temperature: app 60
Air temperature: app 60
How much time did the victim spend in the water: est at 10 minutes
Did the victims boat lose site of the victim: yes
Was electronic MOB function used to locate the victim: n
Was a rescue swimmer put in the water: n
Did the victim have a strobe light or whistle: n
Was the victim able to help in the recovery: y
Was a Lifesling aboard: y
Was it used: y
Was the race sailed under ORC regulations: n
What happened:
On April 15, 2000. A club race was underway, with the wind steadily building throughout the race. In fact, by the time some boats reached the top mark the wind had built from 20 to 40 knots very quickly. Combined with a long fetch from the east up the river and our shallow waters, some mean chop had developed. Most boats were dropping out of the race, which we had not known to be abandoned, but some had reached the top mark and turned downwind. A J/22, in class configuration, helmed by Dyk Luben, crewed by Bob McNulty and Diana Antonacci was planing along quite nicely until a broach to weather threw the skipper off the back of the boat. The crew was unable to return to weather to pick up the skipper. This happened within a mile of shore. The boat did not have an operable radio to broadcast a mayday. The J/22 continued downwind until they came along side another boat and relayed the gravity of the situation. At this point, app 20-30 minutes after the incident, a mayday was broadcast to the USCG Station Hobucken, and all boats available began to return to weather to search.

Unbeknownst to all, a J/30 continuing downwind after retiring from the race had come upon the swimmer in the water, and effected the perfect rescue. This is a direct quote from the skipper of the J/22. A written account of the events from his perspective is available. "We had one great ride, but the problem at those speeds is that you come up on the next mark really fast and then you have to do something like jibe or douse! So we doused and in an attempt to work to leeward, I steered too deep. A gust came, I was by the lee and we did a garden variety windward broach. I got dumped in the water and got to the surface to see Mara blowing away from me. As she righted, she took off like a rocket, so I figured I'd wait around for help. Well, Bob and Diana couldn't get back to me in those conditions; it was just too windy. By now the race was pretty well abandoned. Looking around, there were several boats knocked down, and nobody knew I was in the water. The water was relatively warm, so I decided to wait around a little bit before I started getting rid of clothing for the swim to shore. My main concern was how, after reaching the shore, I would ever catch a ride wearing only my underwear! Well, I saw this J30 jogging slowly with the main and engine. She was coming my way so I started yelling. My voice is still hoarse. She kept coming closer and I kept yelling, and when she was withing 40 feet, they finally heard me. Their course to me was so precise they would have run me over if I hadn't swum out of their path. It was Rocket J, and they threw me a lifering and flag. I floated around while they doused the main, then made an approach towing a MOM float. I grabbed onto the line, they hauled me to the boat and up over the rail. It was a great rescue and I was really glad it was a competent group of sailors who saved me."