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Singlehanded Farallons

"Can't imagine hitting that thing as it would most likely put a hole in the boat with that tubular railing around the buoy. I would expect buoys like that to have an AIS beacon on it..."

Dirk "TIJD" First 30JK[/QUOTE]

Definitely this could sink our boats - the protective railing is from maybe 1"- 1.5"OD steel tubing, right at the water line, hitting at 6 knots......
 
On an SSS Farallones Race back in the late 1980s, an large unnamed cruising boat was sailing back from the island after dark on a slow race. Non-Spinnaker Division, wing on wing. It was chilly and damp, so the skipper set the auto pilot and stepped below to brew a cuppa. He was heating the water, when the boat went "BANG" and he was throw forward onto the cabin sole. As he got up he saw the Ship Channel Buoy #1 slide by the window. He rushed up and checked things out and in the darkness it appeared everything was okay so he kept sailing, but without his cuppa. Keeping a watch.

After finishing, he sailed back to Alameda and slept on the boat. The next morning he inspected things. There were a few scratches on the hull, but the major damage was to the large plow anchor hanging off the bow's anchor roller. The flukes had been bent back under the roller and he couldn't get the anchor off. It had acted like a bumper when he bounced off the buoy. Finally had to cut the shank in order to remove it. And "forgot" to inform the authorities of the accident to their buoy. Hence the namelessness.

Yes, there are things out there to be aware of. Their locations are in the "Light List" or "Local Notice to Mariners" and it's important to know where they are in case you're sailing in their vicinity, especially in the dark. Let's not even begin to talk about dozens of crab pot buoys!
 
SHF racers..This is the first SSS race in 2016 that we have not had a protest!!....Looks like I can post a final....Personally this is why Lightspeed loves solo ocean racing.....SO MUCH ROOM!!!....Please join the fun at Island Yacht Club this Wednesday for SHF Awards and a great program on the Farallone islands. Learn how you can help shuttle supply's to the Farallone AND get a tour for your help!
 
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