The deadly Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race (1998) | Four Corners

To mark the 20th anniversary of the deadly 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Four Corners unearthed this archive episode investigating what happened in that fateful event.
Six sailors died and five boats were lost when a terrifying storm hit Bass Strait during the 1998 Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Look back at this investigation by Debbie Whitmont for Four Corners, that retraces the horrific events that unfolded why it was so unexpected.
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[@robkothe9823]

As the skipper and owner of Sword of Orion, that sailed in the 1998 race I'd like to make some observations. There were very many positive changes in offshore racing as a result of the 1998 race. In the following year's race, it was mandatory for boats to report to the entire fleet, wind speeds over 40 knots, that helped significantly but rapid improvements in satellite and computer technology has meant that boats know much better the wind and waves around them, so they don't sail into the danger we faced then. Improvements in equipment from MOB EPIRBS, to radar, to technical clothing, in combination with much more extensive crew training have saved many lives at sea since not just for racing sailors, but cruisers, fishermen and the giant freighters alike. A couple of asides, it was mandatory in 1998 for boats to carry sea anchors and they all did. The boat that sailed past Sword of Orion in that race, in fearsome seas, was unable to stop, to do so would have just meant another boat and crew could have been in mortal danger. But they saw our flares, and they immediately transmitted our position and status by radio, and that is why the Australian Navy flew to our rescue. The skipper of that boat and I gave evidence on that at the 1999 Coronial Enquiry, and I agreed that they did the sensible and seamanlike thing that saved our lives. In subsequent years, the CYCA has worked hard on their safety and reporting protocols and continue to do so. The Sydney Hobart race regulations and race administration are considered to be the Gold Standard for offshore yacht racing worldwide. I this week have talked to vastly experienced World Sailing's Offshore Racing Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman. They agreed that lessons learned from the 1998 Hobart race have changed safety at sea for all who venture there.

[@PaulBKal]

Rob Kothe well said Rob. As fellow competitor in the 98 Hobart, I can’t really see what is achieved by the re-broadcast of this 4 Corners program after 20 years, given all the massive changes that came out of the various reviews of the race. Why not a program about them, instead of this gross effort to simply attack those running the race as it had always been run and who’s risk management strategies were not up to contemporary standard, simply because no one ever though it would ever happen. And where was the ABC when BoM were going all shiny arse on us and trying to say, including at a parliamentary inquiry, that their wind forecasts actually had a 40% margin of error built in. I remember that like it was yesterday, thinking ‘so 30 knot winds could mean 42!’ No one would ever take any such forecast seriously but only in the public service could someone ever get away with this nonsense and keep their jobs.

[@TermiteUSA]

Most sensible comments here. Can anyone hazard a guess how sailing will change when foiling monohulls become more plentiful. I think the risks are being magnified but the gadgetry is too attractive to out down.

[@denisegore1884]

@@PaulBKal We watch this like we watch old motor races and marvel at the lack of safety barriers and equipment. Horror fascinates.

[@Justicia007]

@@PaulBKal agreed. It would have been nice if the program focused on the massive changes that were obviously a result of a lot of reflection and work after this race.

[@CessnaPilot99]

This should be one of the top comments. Thanks for the up-to-date insight after watching this program

[@nickg421]

Racers: We never would have gone out had we known it would be like that Fishermen: The forecast was bad, we stayed in.

[@waynelee7169]

And there you have it ... elegantly put.

[@dominicgregory1014]

I have been on the water since I was old enough, and annoyed my father enough, to be allowed to have a 9ft, wooden oar powerered wooden row boat. My mates and I rowed from that far in the upper reaches of Cabbage Tree Creek in Brisbane that you could jump across the creek, all the way to the mouth to fish and explore. Since those early years I've experienced boating on many levels. I've had some pretty shitty boats. I've had some damn nice ones too. I've driven 38ft offshore charter boats. I did time in Coast Guard (yes, dad's navy) and performed some pretty hairy rescues that OH&S would definately not approved of. Now, I have always had it drummed into me and always believed that the skipper is responsible for everyone on the vessel, but that is not what jumped out at me from watching this. I cannot even begin to think about "who is responsible, who can we blame." How can anyone who has spent any time on the water go past what happened to Sword Of OrIon. At about 34min in the video they tell how they were in distress. Then another boat came past that close that they could see the faces of the crew but the other vessel "didn't see multiple flares." Then we have to watch as the Sword's skipper tries to hold it together and we watch him struggle to convince not just us but himself that somehow it's ok they ignored a boat in distress because "they had been planning for the race for months in advance." WTF. Name the boat. Name the crew. Let me take them 40nm out and throw them overboard. The pr*cks don't deserve to ever be allowed to set foot on a boat ever again. The first law of the sea is YOU HELP SOMEONE IN TROUBLE. No choice. No excuses. You just do it. Or stay off the water you worthless excuses for a sailor.

[@m.a.4949]

bro you wrote a whole book. chill

[@jeanniebeneanie3752]

Best comment yet

[@anthonyberglas6318]

To be fair, if the other boat was having trouble just surviving the conditions then that has to be their first priority. Trying to get people off one boat onto another in those conditions could easily see both boats sunk. OTOH if they just wanted to finish the race that would be criminal.

[@TheRealUnconnected]

Props to all the volunteers in trawlers and choppers that did their best. The abc chopper isn’t a rescue helicopter, a fishing trawler isn’t a coast guard cutter. These guys risked their ass to save the sailors as best they could.

[@madannika]

The interviewer was excellent: allowing the sailors to tell their own stories and at times deftly maneuvering her questions to allow the interviewees to reveal shortcomings and errors in the structure without devolving into a blame game. Even when men refused to answer a direct question, the answer was clearly implied.

[@Njyyrikki]

Breaks my heart to see some twats in these comments defending the recklessness, arrogance and entitlement of some the participants and organizers of this race. As said in the documentary, once racing stops and survival begins, you help. Any way you can.

[@Dovietail]

Hugo Van Kretchmar has all the media charisma and ethical awareness of Prince Andrew. 😖

[@Trk-El-Son]

Spot on.

[@pheonixaerialphotography8749]

The clouds at 8:20 are lined up, as a gliderpilot we call that a "cloud street" and it means it's going to be very bad

[@linsaypatterson7204]

We all (in the racing community) know about Fundamental Rule 4. That being said, when the reported winds are THAT different to the forecast then yachts are going in blind and I believe it is the responsibility of a Race Officer (and the Club) to seek out and report readings being experienced on the course from competitors. You can’t just say “abandoned the race”. Some can go around the weather and complete the race with safety. But you can, and should be compelled, to give as much information for the Skippers to make an informed decision according to their abilities.

[@tomhermens7698]

@linsaypatterson7204 Yes one can say abandon the race as one death is one too much. Your attitude is irresponsible!

[@flddoc2]

An amazing story. Here’s an aspect that’s missing. I’m not a sailor. I was, however, a soldier in an elite unit who has had command authority and ultimately responsibility in several combat operations as an Operator. It seems this race operates at the highest level of experience. That, to me, rightfully means the Skipper, Captain or whomever is in command of each vessel is given command authority once the race is underway. That means they have both the freedom to make decisions based off of information provided and observed as well as conditions on the boat that only the commander can see. That command comes with the responsibility for the outcome of those decisions. For a commander, at that level of professionalism, to desire a “ruling authority” to make decisions for him seems unusual. That being said, the information provided to the commander about future weather conditions was criminally incomplete. So much so they admitted being “confused” after the race briefing. I don’t understand how a commander can walk away from what is essentially a pre combat brief confused about anything. In this situation a meteorologist’s briefing about current and future conditions is the exact same as an intelligence brief about enemy strength, composition, capabilities and reinforcements. If Commanders are confused about ANYTHING, they need to ask questions and follow through until they are not confused, about ANYTHING!! This predictable failure was set in motion by two elements before any boat ever left the shore. The meteorologists who withheld all information about what conditions MAY develop according to the atmospheric readings and the Commanders of each vessel who walked away feeling confused about the information provided.

[@leangrypoulet7523]

Agree with everything you say, also as an ex Armed Forces commander. I can only think that complacency at the briefing from the commanders you reference, is what lead to the COC confusion. Complacency in that the skippers of these boats had raced in testing conditions before and through will, skill, tenacity etc, always come through battered yet unscathed. ‘We’ve done it and seen it all before’, and ‘what’s the worst that can happen, it’s only a race’ thinking. Except that it wasn’t. From a military perspective, we only ask the questions we do during O-Groups because people before didn’t and we learnt from their mistakes.

[@ribragg]

Feb 4, 23. I Agee with both your comments. I’m not sure of the fellows name, he had a beard and raised what I thought was a very good point. In 10 years time if no new rules are brought in to address what happened in 1999 resulting in a loss of life, that these terrible circumstances will reoccur in the future. I think his statement will come true. I’m not sailor or a yachtsman’s but I think there has to be some common sense exercised by both the organizers and the meteorologists. These two groups really need to stand up and look at themselves in a mirror and pretend that they are explaining their actions to the families and love ones of the men who died. It’s a sport not not hand to hand combat. Totally senseless in a lot of respects?

[@yachticus]

well, both of you are close - could be pinned for grabbing what you have an understanding with. - I was NAVY and sailing in this event - with a crew of total newbies from ADFA. ( Defence Force Academy - out of our 8, 6 had not been on a yacht previously) we were charged with taking novices to sea as our core business - not particularly fast sailors (in fact we were crap at making the yacht go fast) and we had a well-found yacht (Cat 0) - and the nucleus myself and one other were properly skilled. The bulk of competent skippers in the 1998 S2H sought independent weather briefings, holding little confidence in what the ("boffin from BOM provided.) (in fairness this was an obligatory skipper / Vasco (Navigator) shindig Not happy with the dancing elves costume. we (I was chief chop for two NAVY entries (as always) went to Naval Air Station Nowra (NAS Nowra) they gave us (which I passed to many others) a pretty comprehensive read of the tea leaves. ( it was not pretty on night of 27th and bloody awful from about 1200. ) I didn't believe forecast seas of 15m's - it was worse than that. For what it's worth - my read on the event that unfolded (and in part borne out by the board of enquiry) was the majority of the yachts were being sailed by amateur sailors with modest to limited experience as professional seamen. The concept of prudent behaviour - "the first rule of seamanship" - was absent. The majority - recognized this was going to be a smash up derby and organized themselves - for the weather and sea state, but we also had a large minority that should not have been out on the water. For those of you with a military background - you will appreciate the issue of in a situation like this - it is never a rule by democracy - the master of every vessel has the unfettered responsibility and obligations for the safety of the vessel and in that, the safety of the souls onboard. The skills set and competencies required to safely sail a yacht in those conditions - required competence, experience, and no bloody cowboys. The military/naval approach works best in that particular situation because it was for many a survival situation- the problem is, most people who come from a uniform background can't sail for shit. In reality - the conditions were full on and for a minority equipment failure caught them out, or in a few more limited cases - the brains' trust just wasn't up to what was being asked of them- and some suffered just bad luck. Of note during one of the many radio scheds was a heads up by Lou Abraham - @ about 1400 an all ship comms - if you dont need to be here - it is not the place for you to be - Lou was a standout seaman - many would have been well served to heed his call. (And yes, I have formal qualifications as a mariner, Ocean yacht master, Instructor, etc blah blah blah. HM the Queen paid for my skills and training for which I am eternally grateful.

[@flddoc2]

@@yachticus Thanks for your experienced input on this, especially from one who was actually in the waters on this event. Can’t ask for more than that. Trust me, I get the “most Navy personnel can’t sail” aspect. Just because someone is in the army doesn’t mean they can shoot, move, communicate, plan, react to contact or any number of things a lot associate with the Army. Not a hit on any soldiers, it’s just fact that truck drivers, supply, generator mechanics, admin…..aren’t given the opportunity to train at the level others who specific job is to shoot. I’m sure it’s similar in the Navy. I would guess few know how to sail a true sailing vessel. So how could they even be aware of risks that are broiling up in unnoticed weather patterns or sea conditions. I’m surprised at the number of, what you call novices, on this venture. The assumption on my part, and I’d guess some others as well, this was sold as a high stakes, professional level event so there would only be high level professional participants. I can clearly see how some wouldn’t even think to second guess a weather forecast from officials that actually left out key components. You mentioned the professional sailors found alternate sources to gain a more complete picture while the others, well, probably didn’t understand that they were lacking key information so why would they think to go anywhere else when they could put their efforts towards any number of things within the scope of “priorities of work”. Thanks for your explanation, expertise and especially the time to share your understanding. Sailing is something I’ve always wanted to do. The reality is, like most high risk, long distance adventures that test endurance and mental stamina. You really have to know what you’re doing so you can actually enjoy the suck factor and not just wish you were somewhere else when the SHTF.

[@ribragg]

Very well stated Iggy.

[@ashleighcruickshank345]

25:20...that moment he realises what he's just said

[@simonjohnston9488]

Such a hideous man.

[@AlonsoRules]

just your usual heartless lawyer

[@m4rs12]

Bad lawyer that is, his whole explanation is just lies and spins

[@rosemarydudley9954]

He well fluffed his lines on that score...

[@johnmichaels2495]

Lot of comments here that do not necessarily understand the reality of the situation at hand. With conditions like this, there is a very well defined set of laws that takes priority over all others, and those are the laws of physics. With winds in excess of 75 knots, to offer any rescue assistance from a sailboat is nearly impossible. A sailboat under storm jib has very, very little control, and in most cases, to try and offer assistance beyond radio relaying is likely to do more harm than good. Even the simple act of "staying within the vicinity" is often nearly impossible. The force exerted by wind does not increase linearly as windspeed increases- the formula for calculating the energy is available online, but needless to say the difference between 10 and 20 knot winds is far less than the difference between 60 and 70 knot. Many people do not realize this- it's like sound. Many people do not realize that 73dB is actually twice as loud as 70dB, because for each 3dB you double the power. While wind does not follow the same formula (sound is logarithmic, I don't believe wind is), what can be said is that at a certain point, the physics of 80 knot winds starts to control what people are able to do. The last thing that must be kept in mind is that when people are faced with the very real possibility of death, you cannot necessarily expect entirely rational decisions. Some people are able to keep their cool and think logically, while others are not. Hindsight is always 20/20.

[@gianthippo1285]

Canadian weekend: I’m gonna freeze my ass off in a hockey arena American weekend: Watch cars take left turns. Aussie weekend: I’m going to sail my boat through a hurricane

[@NxDoyle]

Not just a weekend, the weekend after Christmas. Summer time.

[@JoTheSnoop]

@@NxDoyle the day after Christmas you mean.

[@codylapoint]

Similar scenarios unfolded in one of the fausnaut island races, I think even more people died.

[@ottos4th]

Here I am, years later, to say Thank you! And congratulations and another thank you to the reporter, who asked the tough questions and then asked the tough follow-up.

[@y7xung4h]

Mr Von whatshisname could just be the most dispicable person I have ever seen

[@jayaybe1]

You should get out more.

[@carolelerman9686]

Hats off to the trawlers and the helicopter pilots and crew . Unspoken law, you always help another boatsman .

[@clambake3293]

yes it is spoken, as its a maritime law

[@elkehansen4516]

My dad was on business post naiad and I feel so blessed to have him here with me today. After watching this and seeing what they had to go through and losing 2 close friends I couldn’t imagine the pain.

[@brucie-of-bangor528]

I remember this yacht race clearly, one of the two worst ever; the other being the infamous Fastnet yacht race of 1979. The big standout for me that 4 corners glossed over was the rescue effort from the Eden fishermen, the RAN Sea King helicopters and especially their own ABC news helicopter piloted by the late Gary Ticehurst that stood by for hours. Some 35 aircraft, including Royal Australian Air Force Orion anti submarine aircraft assisted in the rescue which was organised by the Royal Australian Navy. It was a job well done, and only hampered by the, to me, amateurish efforts of the CYC. The rescue is a far more compelling story than the disaster, but it appears that 4 corners were more interested in attributing blame than in praising the true heroes, the rescuers. That only 6 people lost their lives is to the everlasting credit of this rescue operation, every Australian should be proud of their effort.

[@dandenardi4584]

All very good points, & you're absolutely correct, but (to be fair) the 4 Corners expose was about the 'deadly' race, not the 'why it wasn't as deadly as it could've been' race. But you're still right to point out the heroic efforts of Aussies! stay safe

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

100% the ABC are playing their new ugly tactics when in fact an ABC helo was calling in some recoveries of MOB situations and the RAAF and RAN threw everything to the sailing fleet. The rescue doesn't fit the narrative though.

[@kernaledchips]

47:03 "Is it good to be back on land?" Just... wow...

[@Random-dq8ew]

Is there a study about psychopaths in yacht racing?

[@dwk8081]

Think you mean sociopaths.

[@laowai2000]

Sad day. Was out surfing that day and the weather was not bad in the morning. Saw the weather change and knew it was going to be a absolute disaster in bass strait. Conditions so bad out there, can't comprehend skippers even being able to contemplate other vessels. More like every man for himself just trying to survive.

[@lbacker90]

Dad was a pilot. On the instrument panel in his plane there was a sign that read "When in doubt, chicken out." Hmmm... He never crashed. Weird!

[@jacobjaram5755]

Winner winner chicken dinner.

[@rosemarydudley9954]

lbacker90 ... My dad always said, (about car driving) "When in doubt, both feet out" ...(Brake and clutch, I guess) Problem here is, these boats don't have brakes...

[@jbuckley2546]

@@rosemarydudley9954 Sometimes you have to accelerate out of trouble.

[@antebellum45]

Amazing helicopter pilots' flying skills!!!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@tonysimms5692]

So raw and moving. We often forget the things that are actually important in life. Thanks for shining alight on it Colin!

[@jerryp1956]

Winning is everything - what a total balls-up ! The fishermen and helicopter pilots were heroes.

[@tonysa2337]

I do coastal rowing and have some idea of the risks involved. What pisses me off is that practically none of these 'yachties' acknowledge their own responsibility or credit the rescue crews and fisherman as the heros they were. Unbelievable arrogance and entitlement shown by some of these recreational sailors.

[@thedolphin5428]

Some of these guys speak like slimy lawyers.

[@unclegeemus]

Hi 'The' you nailed that comment. I just commented sort of responding in spirit to yours. Seems like a US Senate Hearing. Everyone is talking weird! -

[@unclegeemus]

Yes this was not so apparent first viewing.

[@Bluetoothedshark]

Some abhorrent negligible behaviour, let's just call it that. As an ex commercial fisherman I have other words that I'll keep to myself to describe the behaviours exhibited.

[@nilsbrown7996]

You can’t call something a fleet, have a “control boat” etc, and then say you’re all on your own. No matter the legality of the sea. Reading out every boat to themselves is destructive in such a situation. You may have a legal obligation to do that, but there should be a protocol announced, assist others as you can.

[@wildandfree654]

As a sailor heading into those conditions you have to accept that death is possible, you can't expect or rely on volunteer help. If fellow sailors are out with you then the oath of the sea is that they come to help. You only have yourself to blame and your competitors to be disappointed with .... I would NEVER leave a fellow sailor in distress.

[@deborahmiorgan829]

Then you would doom them and yourself. That single question is a standard U.S. naval captaincy question. The right answer is you will not risk your own crew and vessel in an emergency. Hard choices and hundreds of years of seamanship have taught us that lesson. The drowning man syndrome always causes more harm than good. But you are given that choice as a captain, and more often than not it became two vessels and crew that needed rescue.

[@stoneworx09]

in the dark of night you cant see big swells breaking , you just hear them coming . but with 80 knots of wind blowing in your ears , can't imagine how bad it was , what a nightmare . im sure post trauma would haunt many even now ?

[@Justicia007]

For sure.... The stuff of many future nightmares.

[@thethirdman225]

The ABC helicopter pilot was Gary Ticehurst who, along with cameraman John Bean and reporter Paul Lockyer, died when the chopper crashed in central Australia in 2011.

[@PeggyMF2]

May they rest in peace

[@jimj2683]

One of the rescue helicopters measured a wave at 42.5 m (120ft).

[@rotttrottt390]

would be scary to ride that with my 20 feet sailboat

[@gnosticmom2805]

Hugo Van Kretschmar aka the Artful Dodger. "There are no decisions being made". Well, maybe there should be. Just a thought.

[@skkratchu7219]

I experienced an east coast low in April, 2015 off the coast of Sydney, sailing to New Caledonia. Were sailing on the Carnival Legend. We had 140 km winds and 50 foot waves all night and I thought we weren't going to make it because of how badly the boat was rocking. That ship was nearly 300 metres long and was damaged, there were also passengers injured. I cant imagine what these guys must have experienced in small yachts. Highly recommend a great book called 'An extreme event' that is the story of the 1998 Sydney- Hobart.

[@timwheel8466]

Some really stupid questions asked by the media. Just one being - "Does it feel good to be back on land?" What sort of media reporting is that? What an absolutely stupid question. "Na mate, wish I was still out there in 85 knot winds with 2 of my mates missing presumed dead " My thoughts go out to all involved and for those who lost loved ones and mates. Skip the lame uneducated and provocative questions.

[@CAPDude44]

The organizers are fully to blame for not delaying or cancelling the race

[@markbailey6051]

Captain is responsible for The ship. Take responsibility for your own decision.

[@CAPDude44]

@@markbailey6051 Captain wasnt given full information, and was withheld information. If I told you that that a important meeting was on Tuesday when it was actually on Monday and you didn't show up, is it your fault or mine? If I tell you a food is as to eat, but you eat it and it contained poison, is that your fault or mine? You're basically excusing murder.

[@dissimulii]

i dunno, it's not like the weather is top secret information, everyone had access to the same information. around 6 minutes it states that most competitors dismissed the computer predictions, but the computers did not show positively were a storm would develop until after the race had already started. i don't think your examples really work, weather predictions are wrong often enough to know they are not always true. if you told me there was a meeting on tuesday, but you had been wrong or lied about such things before, why would i take your word for it? i'm indifferent about the whole thing, i just don't think you can say the organizers are fully to blame.

[@hannorasmusholtiegel6044]

@@CAPDude44 This is wrong,its part of a regatta ,that you look up what kind of wind is going to blow you ahead. The crew is collecting all information from the weather stations.

[@momocrashxd7818]

And the shitty weather reports oh my god

[@chrisbaldry4233]

Never in a million years would I go into this race where organisers don’t give a flying toss about cancelling a race for safety concerns. I agree with the last captain who said there are some conditions on the sea that are beyond our abilities to manage. Good journalism 4 corners.

[@thethirdman225]

No boat is forced to sail. It is the decision of the crew to put to sea.

[@robdog1245]

DECISION TO RACE The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone.

[@markandrews6054]

@@thethirdman225 Does it ever cross your mind that the way you talk to other people makes it sound like you're full of BS? All you seem to be capable of is talking corporate legalistic bull crap. If we capsized you, you'd look like you were talking out of your arse but maybe, just maybe, that is the case anyway (the point is rhetorical - it doesn't require a response). Rather than seeking to protect yourself behind a thinly disguised massive ego, have you thought about showing some compassion, empathy and humility towards your fellow human beings or do you only think about your reputation, standing in society and money?

[@thethirdman225]

@@markandrews6054 Thank you for your detailed response. I have many faults but I’m really not interested in what you think.

[@isthatrubble]

​​@@robdog1245people aren't forced to drive cars on roads but they do and that's their responsibility, but if they drive towards a bushfire instead of away because the fire warnings are inaccurate, it's not their fault they're going the wrong way, it's the fault of whoever or whatever gave the inaccurate warnings. if you're not able to see the conditions yourself, you rely on others who can see to give you information so you can decide whether to take a risk or pick which path is the safest. if someone gives the best information they possibly can and it's wrong that's one thing, but there was important information available that wasn't passed on.

[@heen5255]

So all of us got a recommendation?

[@PresidentCamacho2024]

jep,.

[@robertbents4209]

Jackass move on the part of the control boat. “Oh here let me remind you of the rules but not give you the proper weather conditions that have been relayed to me by other boats while you’re in a fight for your life, no big deal, we’re on a 200ft tall ship that isn’t in any danger, not a 45ft sail boat.”

[@MrBarrymills]

pull your head in mate. you were not there. i lost mates.

[@stoneworx09]

one things for sure a frightened man with a bucket is the best bilge pump .

[@PaulBKal]

@Robert Bents, Well aren’t you just the perfect example of the modern keyboard admiral in the safety of his armchair. You have no idea what you are talking about.

[@peterwilliams2152]

The fishermen operating out of Eden, have balls the size of watermelons - from a Patrol boat sailor!

[@sailorbuckobuckley5217]

This is just the thing that happens when the sea does what the sea does in an open ocean sailing situation . Every sailor on every boat that goes to sea is aware of the inherent risks involved in such events as this it is absolutely down to the skippers to determine risk and control the vessel they are in and it’s crew behaviour as well as morale . Each skipper in this race knows the reputation of it as a dangerous and demanding event

[@howlinsg1968]

This story seems to be a representative microcosm of society's ongoing degeneration. There is a distinct lack of care towards others with some personalities who engage in these sports/pursuits where a "win at all costs" attitude eclipses any form of humane feeling towards your fellow man in trouble. This is reminiscent of an Everest expedition a decade or so ago where a team of climbers passed someone who was clearly in trouble, without offering any assistance just so their shot at glory wasn't jeapordised.There appears to be a significant increase in narcissistic behavioural patterns in all life pursuits be it workplace, sport or elsewhere. There would be many underlying causes however I believe the media plays a significant role in all of this. Ever since I was a kid I remember my Grandfather and others of his generation telling me to always help those in need - because all glory is fleeting but good deeds last forever. This particular Sydney to Hobart race and its unfortunate outcomes would have numerous factors contributing to what happened which makes finger pointing and blame shifting rather futile under the circumstances. Suffice to say however is that during any crisis, you'll always see the best and worst of human behaviour on exhibition.

[@joehayes9933]

Its always been there mate. Winning at all costs is an old story and anyone old who says there generation didn't do that is kidding themselves.

[@martinmcfred6758]

Was gonna stop reading at degeneration but intrigue got the better of me.

[@pfrstreetgang7511]

"It's common sense. If the weather is bad, you turn around." Funny hearing Joe say that. We have a saying here in the US that sums up any Aussie Yacht event. If you want to start an argument with a wall, bring an Aussie with you. If you want to knock a wall down, bring 2 drunk Aussies.

[@gnosticmom2805]

No, I would imagine the "yachting community" wouldn't appreciate the efforts of mere working men risking their lives to rescue them.

[@garysouza2277]

That Hugo guy talks out of both sides of his mouth...

[@davidoreilly1899]

Good God, if I was a skipper and saw that cloud at 8:23, I think I would abandon the race and turn back to Sydney.

[@jackvoodoo2900]

right !!!!!, if that's not a chance to show self care then nothing is

[@denisegore1884]

Some had the good sense to pull out at Victoria. There's brave and then there's stupid. Other people had to risk their lives on the rescue.

[@alisonhilll4317]

I live in a fishing port , and yachties don't have a good name .

[@brendanbarker2095]

47:00 "is it good to be back on land?" Pretty dumb question!

[@thecatwrangler9448]

It’s the Australian sense of humor sir, believe it or not since they’re in the southern hemisphere all the blood is in their brain so they’re cranky

[@thethirdman225]

I remember seeing Sword of Orion up on the hard a couple of years before this race and remember thinking how big it was. The thought of it being rolled over and the mast wrapped around the hull is hard for me to imagine.

[@TheSonicfrog]

There are basically three ways to deal with these deadly storm conditions: drag ropes or a sea anchor and essentially go stern-on to the waves; go under bare poles - essentially hull on to the waves; and hove to - close hauled under backed storm jib. During the 1979 Fastnet disaster, not one of the hove to yachts were capsized or suffered any serious damage. Curious to know if any of the Hobart race yachts hove to, and how they weathered the storm.

[@johnprem2589]

looks like this one was worse than the 1979 fastnet. Too many rich idiots and incompetent club fokers.

[@MrSamueljcat]

Everyone knows the Bureau of Met is only taking a 50/50 guess as to what my happen. Ultimate responsibility lies with the individual skippers of the yachts.

[@waterboy8999]

Pay attention.

[@Ronsta229]

It seems the Trawlermen showed more common sense and compassion, than the 'Professional' yachtsmen in the race

[@possiblyadickhead6653]

The worst thing is that the only professionals on these are the hired crew not the rich fucktareds the owner, who however are in comand ....

[@-ShootTheGlass-]

25:00 just an incredible response to “who is making the decisions?”.

[@elmin2323]

The capitan makes the decisions

[@robertcooke1774]

i lost a boat in 160 knot winds ,hurricane charley in 1986 in the azores i was singlehanding from bermuda to the uk .

[@willfrillici]

We’ve all been there

[@keeledover4218]

amazing robert did you sail again

[@Reality_TV]

Robert, did you see the storm coming ahead of time? What happened?

[@norml.hugh-mann]

Im guessing it was skipper error or you would include a better descriptio.

[@sterlingwalter5971]

commenting from Davey Jone's locker.

[@ericlakota6512]

Love the trawler owner hes basically in vary polite words calls the yachts men unresposable ignerent ass holes who put more life in danger for their stupidity coast gard was no where to be found poor trawlers are going out goodnes of their heart and would not otherwise be out their their smarter then that

[@maxboonkittypoison]

I agree with you 100%

[@SaveWesternCivilisation]

100% true. Dealt with many yachties, they're a pretty vile lot...

[@JohnS916]

Were there any Coast Guard cutters on station during this incident? I didn't see any in the film. You would think they would have the latest weather reports, top-notch reports at that yet no surface vessels at least monitoring the racecourse. This was a classic clusterfuck of big egos constantly underestimating reality or worst-case scenario planning.

[@andrewlawson573]

Yes there were a bunch of helicopters, an air Force Orion, and Navy Ships. That's why only six died. Doco brushes over it

[@muttonchopsgayever]

49:10 I want to jump through my phone and get into this guy’s face. People died but “ we enjoyed the race. And got a good result”

[@Forflipsake]

This is how the rich elite act. Arrogance personified.

[@thedolphin5428]

S.M.U.G.

[@robdog1245]

Why? They continued on, and they got a good result because of it. As I've said in other comments, Racing Rules of Sailing Rule 1, Section 4 states: DECISION TO RACE The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone. Nobody forced the boats to go out, they did, and some made it through, others didn't. We all die in the end, at least they went out doing something they loved rather than wasting away in a hospital.

[@thedolphin5428]

@@robdog1245 I don't believe we critics are disputing the rational facts of their sailing challenge -- it's more disgust at the sociopathic, narcissistic attitude they reveal after several deaths and much mayhem within their own boating fraternity. The last thing most normal people would be talking about at such a time would be how well they did and what a jolly old time they had had. If YOU FAIL to see that, then you must be of similar mindset. 🖕 Up yours, buddy.

[@DaveWhoa]

29:31 "Mayday Mayday Mayday, this is the Winston Churchill" - this is the soundbite that always stood out for me when listening to the news about it live in 1998

[@denisegore1884]

Me too. I watched with the horror we now have for the fires.

[@TessaLeigh]

It seemed unconscionable that other competitors ignored the mayday distress calls of their fellow yachtsmen or that the mayday calls were ignored or arbitrarily downgraded and people died as a result, or that the contest was held at all considering the weather warning and (deliberate?) misleading forecasts...until I read that it costs many millions in "launch costs" per vessel and that tens of millions in "PR exposure" were at stake for winners. So people lose all humanity when money is at stake. Make sense now. Yech.

[@pred7949]

you think the other competitors were not in the literal same situation? How do you go save someone when you're not even done saving yourself?

[@muttonchopsgayever]

@@pred7949 49:10 explains it all

[@muttonchopsgayever]

49:10

[@mataafa1]

@@pred7949 other competitors that were not yet in distress . Clearly many yacts made it undamaged .. 🙄

[@crazyhorsetrading8655]

pretty much

[@jimmartinson5279]

Society today, blame others for your risk taking.

[@wildandbarefoot]

Build yachts for speed...sacrifice seaworthyness.

[@scoobydoowhereareyou94]

lot of people looking for someone else to blame,for the shit they got themselves into.

[@simonjohnston9488]

For a modern yacht-race, the incompetence from the club was staggering. It cost lives. Pretending that they ought to be living by some pretentious code of rugged individualism is a childish fantasy. Yes the yachtees knew the risks. But the club also ran the race, and typically did a whole lot more in terms of safety than they did that year. Sydney to Hobart isn't sold as a 'you're on your own' race. That should be obvious to anyone who knows yachting..

[@scoobydoowhereareyou94]

@@simonjohnston9488 the yacht club has some responsibility,however individuals are ultimately responsible for the actions and risks they accept,the forecasts although not perfectly clear at the time,warned them it was coming,same story with the fast net race.if the fishermen were not risking it for their livlihood,that should have been the big clue to these people.lot of families ripped apart for egos.

[@7divad37]

So many misguided comments in the comment section.... From the Fundamental Rules of Racing: 4 DECISION TO RACE The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone.

[@broncotrolly]

What that means

[@leochen887]

@@broncotrolly I'm a retired aerospace engineer, part of the flight test team, who worked on the development of combat aircraft. One of my/our responsibilities was to do a detailed risk analysis of things that could possibly go wrong, of failure, of loss of life. And to draw up and put in place mitigation plans for possible scenarios of failure or accident or other untoward events. In short, we wanted to be prepared so as to reduce the number of events that we might have not foreseen, that caught us by surprise. To say as event organizers "that's not my responsibility" is to admit (1) that you're not prepared to handle risk, and (2) that you were unprepared to deploy search and rescue resources to vessels and their crew who are out at sea and in great danger of not surviving a storm that had caught them by surprise. Instead the event organizers' objective was to avoid being sued. Pitiful. Shameful. Cowardly. Disgusting. A bunch of unprepared amateurs who should have retired a long time ago, if truth be told.

[@muttonchopsgayever]

@@leochen887 49:10

[@Reality_TV]

@@muttonchopsgayever - Why do you keep posting the clip of the guy saying he was going again the following year and that he enjoyed the race when people died? What does that have to do with what Leo Chen was saying?

[@KM-ce9cz]

@@Reality_TV I think that’s obvious.

[@kameltoes2625]

In a book on I read on "what makes a good offshore (blue water) boat", in every chapter the author would repeat the same phrase: "THINK INVERTED" . What would happen if your boat gets hit big waves / gets rolled... Can the window handle impact? Can your pumps work?

[@wallywally8282]

I recall this ugly time. The following day I was flying one of the S&R planes out of Merimbula, we came across BPN, looked like a floating hulk, even though the main storm had passed the seas where huge! The view down below of wrecked boats was distressing!

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

Perks of offshore racing. The fishermen going out anyway to help are legends, though.

[@denisegore1884]

Especially as they had come in after realising it was getting dangerous in the Strait.

[@k1er4n544]

Get the guy in red a drink ffs

[@richeharrison]

That made me laugh and he definitely needs to put some lubricant in his mouth for sure - but then again he personally endured a horrific incident and saw his crewmates die. I think talking about that would make my mouth a little dry talking about it. I'd need more than water- double scotch perhaps? (NOT "on the rocks" though lol)

[@k1er4n544]

@@richeharrison true enough must of been horrid to witness what he did i would have a double cask strength scotch Glenfarcas 105

[@B1TKZH47]

Like in any extreme sport, the addiction is greater than any of the risks. But then, in my opinion, the participants should be made to pay for the trouble they cause people who try to rescue them.

[@MrJdsenior]

OK, but how do you "pay" for rescuers who lose their lives during an attempted rescue? What do you think a lost dad, mom, son, or daughter is worth to a family? Didn't happen here, knock on wood, but it has MANY times in past rescue attempts and will in the future, and was a VERY real possibility here. And some responders (like the fisherman who had more sense than to be out there then) didn't sign up for that kind of risk, as a fireman or Coast Gaurdsman consciously does when they take it up as their "calling" (to name just two examples).

[@awhilewithwileycoyote456]

In the navy we went through a typhoon on a carrier, it was brutal, our escorts got the hell beat out of them, these are big ships and the storm threw them around like toys, we rode it out, but I can't imagine a storm like that in a racing yacht, we were there because we had to be, these guys did it for a race, 6 dead, they were lucky it wasn't worse.......keep on.......wiley coyote

[@oldajtap1361]

The Australian stereotype if you will, has always been one of mateship and helping your fellow Aussie out. In this situation, it’s a different story. To risk your crew for the safety of another is a decision many would never imagine making, throw in “extreme event” weather and it’s understandable as to why some yachts did not stop. Respect to all who participated in the 98’ race and especially to the family’s of those lost.

[@rippspeck]

Not saying you're a coward for thinking that but that's exactly the kind of talk a person would make up to soothe their consciousness and justify cowardice.

[@oldajtap1361]

@@rippspeck it's a shame you see that as such. Everyone on your crew has a family and life behind the scenes. Why turn 9 casualties into 18? Sure the other team also has a said family, but if neither team are equipped for the rescue role then why turn a bad situation worse. There are other ways to lend assistance without directly endangering yourselfs, such as the vessels who'd relay radio messages from the other teams. If you're not empathetic enough to consider making such heavy decisions when labelling cowardice, I'm guessing you're a real hero.

[@robertfindlay2325]

@@rippspeck Have you had deep sea storm experience in a yacht?

[@Chiefmismaker]

Hugo Krethcy doesnt quite know right?|

[@techhie1302]

I was there when this disaster unfolded. What came across the strongest, was the ego's of the people involved. The level of testosterone would have kept any of these boats afloat. The widow of one of these racers said her husband died doing what he loved. Died sailing his boat to Hobart. Why? His children would grow up without him. Had to be done.........Sure. There was also an appalling lack of preparation on the part of everyone involved to mitigate the possible outcomes of a worst case scenario. As in regular radio checks and updates on conditions. Something that should have been basic, not done. The weather in the Bass Straight was, and still is, notorious. There are not enough weather stations in that whole region to produce reliable results. All this talk about weather and weather conditions is a diversion. This mess was created by ego. I own and race a multi- million dollar boat, and who are you to tell me anything.

[@dsandoval9396]

You hit the mail on the head. The ego of EVERYONE involved. The thing I find disturbing is, as was mentioned earlier in the video, that most of these people will probably never understand the effort that goes into rescuing them. Every single person that goes out there respoding to rescue is putting their own life and the lives of their crew in danger that can vary easily see them killed along with the the fool that made the decision to put his life on the line simply for bragging rights.

[@doonsbury9656]

It seems like everyone is playing "pass the parcel" with regard as to who is responsible for a situation where Yachts continued on in the face of increasingly dangerous weather conditions......while at the same time the Professional fishermen who manned the Trawlers decided the conditions were severe enough to warrant turning back to port. But 2 comments in particular showed the disturbing mind set of some of these people. 1) "We were quite enjoying the race" How could someone possibly say that when all about then Yachts are calling for assistance or calling a Mayday? And 2) That "This may increase the appeal of the race" How on earth could anyone make a statement like that knowing that 6 men had been killed during the race? Not surprising I suppose when the same person said he saw no conflict of interest when an inquiry was presided over by a member of the organization responsible for staging the race. With attitudes like these...as one man said "It will happen again"

[@PaulBKal]

Doonsbury Spoken like someone who’s never been to sea in a small boat. I was enjoying it too, as a competitor, and I went back for 2 more Hobarts. 1998 was my first. The Hobart race has always been about testing your limits and the incredible sense of achievement you get at the end. The wonderful camaraderie that develops within the crew. Yes 6 very fine people lost their lives in the 1998 Hobart and that was a tragedy. Could things have been done better, or differently? Absolutely. Were lessons learned? Yes of course they were, but at the time this race, like just about every other sailboat race was run largely by volunteers, who were doing their best. In 2002, I sailed in the Hobart race with a guy who’d spent 30-odd hours in a liferaft in 1998, who came back to have another go. Maybe it’s his judgment we should respect rather than the keyboard warriors like you who seemingly have never been outside the heads.

[@doonsbury9656]

Hi Paul, Mate, you are certainly entitled to your opinion....although it is interesting that rather than address the issues you prefer personal attack and sarcasm, but that your problem. As I said, you are entitled your your opinion...but let me try and reduce your ignorance a little. I certainly have sailed small boats...starting as a Sea cadet, over 55 years ago, where we learned to sail boats from small skiffs up to 27ft Whalers. I eventually joined the Royal Australian Navy and went on to serve for just over 20 years. A number of those years aboard HMAS Vampire & HMAS Vendetta. So while I may not have sailed in the Sydney to Hobart, I daresay that I have been "Outside the heads" a great deal many more times than yourself. So, as I said, feel free to express your opinion (As I believe I was entitled to) but personal attacks & sarcasm certainly do nothing to enhance your viewpoint.

[@PaulBKal]

Doonsbury So why ignore the fact that this was made TWENTY YEARS AGO and MANY CHANGES WERE MADE AS A CONSEQUENCE! It was a cheap shot 20 years ago and it’s an even cheaper shot today as it completely misses the opportunity to report on all the progress made as a consequences. The simple fact is that ocean sailing is a much safer sport than it ever was, largely because of the tragedy of the totally unprecedented conditions the fleet experienced in 1998. Although the one thing that has never changed is the incredibly unsafe and unseamanlike practice of solo sailing, which ignores the first rule of seamanship: always maintain a lookout.

[@gordonpeden6234]

Thank God for the Trawler men! Thank you good onya's!

[@gregraines8082]

Read the story of how Midnight Rambler made it by beating in to the storm with their heroic skipper helmsman who drove the whole time. I think the book is called “ In to the Storm”.

[@sumobear2031]

To Blame the weather people is wrong, Passing the responsibilities of the Skippers onto others seem wrong to me.

[@norml.hugh-mann]

So blame the skippers for trusting weather forecasts that were manipulated to allow the race to proceed Talk about a boot licker

[@thethirdman225]

@@norml.hugh-mann What evidence do you have that the weather forecast was manipulated? You don’t. There is no conspiracy here. Move on.

[@elmin2323]

End of the day the captain is responsible not the bom not the race organisers.

[@thedolphin5428]

If you take that line, then we send no weather reports, radio info, trawlers or helis, and you die. You want absolute "responsibility"? Then take it, like 18th century mariners. Don't whinge then when nature is beyond your own or your boat's competencies.

[@elmin2323]

@@thedolphin5428end of the day the buck stops with the captain that's the law.

[@thethirdman225]

@@elmin2323 The skipper’s decision is dependent on the crew too. In the end, it’s a Democrat process.

[@elmin2323]

@@thethirdman225 buck stops with the skipper

[@thethirdman225]

@@elmin2323 Are you a sailor? I am. The skipper cannot order crew to take part. This is not the navy and there is no question of mutiny. It’s simple democracy and yes, I’ve been involved in such decisions.

[@bchadaway7469]

For anyone interested in a good book on this, I recommend “The Proving Ground”.

[@loknut6614]

Another good book is "Fatal Storm"

[@HeardItOnTheX]

I bought and read the book because of your comment. A very suspenseful read. Didn't realise Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch were in the race as well. Thank you for the recommendation.

[@caliraised22]

I read a great book about this race called "The Proving Ground" Check it out

[@OneMouseGaming]

Proving ground is an incredible write up of the people on these boats and their backstories. I grew up reading that book "force 10" about the 79 fastnet race. Hearing the people recall this is a bit trippy as i know so much about them their motivations and the problems they had to endure.

[@shipwreckscuba2651]

I love Aussies.......it was at about 85 knots that I became apprehensive.......mate I'd be bricking it at 50 knots.

To clarify, the yacht club can call off the race, but it can't order the boat skippers what to do regarding choosing the safest course and actions for the individual boats. The club can choose to award no awards, due to calling off the race, but the individual skippers can continue with sailing to the destination, if they think that is best.

[@pearlofqatar7779]

to clarify the race is "owned" by the CYCA, the vessels involved are not.

[@petethebastard]

van Kretshner must be an insurance agent or work for a bank!

[@hdaviator9181]

Skipper: "They read out the skippers responsibility rule but they gave no advice as to what skippers should do." Isn't it the skipper's responsibility to know what they should do? I mean the rule is really simple, do what you think is best because nobody can help you.

[@gnosticmom2805]

Too many of these 'experienced' yachtsmen didn't really understand the weather terminology. Many of them thought a gale warning was more serious than a storm warning. For a great account of this race read "The Proving Ground" by G. Bruce Knecht.

[@mastiff7118]

Gnostic Mom are u a mom

[@peterhall6656]

I am aware of one rescue (not this event) where those rescued never even offered the fishermen a case of beer. Extraordinary. I wonder whether any of these entitled wankers ever slipped their rescuers anything approximating the true costs of their rescue efforts. I think we all know the answer.

[@SgtSayWhat]

Peter Hall my dad was once rescued by the RNLI. Nothing dramatic a line caught round the prop or rudder but had to be towed back. They brought the crew a case of beer each and slipped them a few hundred quid. Always thank your rescuers.

[@peterhall6656]

@@SgtSayWhat : Excellent - but there are some people who are lower than a snake's belly and such a courtesy would never cross their minds.

[@SgtSayWhat]

@@peterhall6656 I just can't understand why you wouldn't thank someone who saved your life

[@akalksander9184]

The yatching club tried to wash their hands of their responsibility. Nascar & Indy cancel races or restrict them if it rains or if there's excessive crashes. The race disorganizers just blamed the skippers for the safety of their boats. They just chuckled when asked who makes the decision to halt the race 25:08. Us worried, nah, this event will increase the interest in the race.

[@thethirdman225]

Putting to sea is discretionary. It’s a decision made by the skipper and the crew.

[@robdog1245]

DECISION TO RACE (rule 1 section 4 of Racing Rules of Sailing) The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone.

[@Orcinus1967]

I read the book Fatal Storm many years ago. Seeing some of the boats and damage on this video brought it home just how bad conditions were even more. Certainly they should have postponed the race 1 day to see where the low pressure zone was going to end up. No one would have starved or died in Sydney waiting it out on land if they had done that.

[@thethirdman225]

They did that for the Melbourne to Hobart.

[@jeffreystorer4966]

Spot on

[@SubieSpecs]

Around the 35 min mark when they start talking of that yacht that sailed within a few hundred meters of Sword of Orion, and make congecture that the reason they didn't stop... I didn't see them mention that perhaps that skipper was too damn scared to altar course to assist. Those conditions evidently are nothing to make light of. And it sounds like comms on Sword of Orion were compromised, it's possible that other vessel was trying to hail them. A terrifying situation to be in for all parties involved, negative congecture helps nobody here.

[@johncotgrave91]

I agree. Sailboats are not meant to tow, nor do most boats have the bits to get the job done. coming along side or floating down a line in 80 kts would be impressive to see.

[@user-jo1jq5uy1s]

Yeah, "Fear" would have been a better response

[@SirJack5885theFirst]

boat sailing by should have acknowledged with a flare, and sent out a mayday message for the Sword of Orion, at minimum

[@cadetrenew]

Jack Swett That's exactly what they did

[@robertfindlay2325]

@@johncotgrave91 And picking up the line in those conditions would have been extremely difficult if not fatal for the people trying to do it in those conditions. Been there, done that in lesser bad conditions than the 1989 epic.

[@villagelightsmith4375]

The Ship's Cat never left his position in the Crow's Nest until we were pitchpoled.

[@robertpomeroy9016]

Tragically, it appears that every boat that was a casualty did not employ the only proven storm strategy, heaving to.

[@kevinmcbride7043]

I have a sailing issue: at 16:35 we see a yacht sailing downwind under main only. To me this seems insane with confused seas liable to swing the yacht around at any moment, asking for an allstanding gybe and bringing the mast down. Would others have sailed with this sail plan at this stage?

[@James-fw5ew]

I think you know more about sailing than the rest of us in the comment section

[@enricofumi8072]

to me seems like a boat left floating. it goes perfectly straight with waves coming 90° from starboard and sails reduced. but i sail on dinghys, i don't know if this is the correct way for keelboats. to me just looks very strage didn't try to use a floating anchor. i suspect some of the people who take part in this kind of events are not prepared enough, or they don't prepare theyr boats enough.

[@BRuas9080]

It was sailing upwind at a wide angle, not downwind. The main is almost all open, as the wind is too strong. Note that the boat is sailing against the waves.

[@robdog1245]

They weren't DDW, they were trimmed for broad reaching, aka 'survival mode' in those conditions. They were about 90 degrees to the waves, which puts the least amount of strain on the rig, the sail was just completely de-powered. It was also a bad angle from the helicopter that made it look like it was worse than it was.

[@janisber111]

@@robdog1245 I think sail did some lift because that boat speed was insane.

[@jacksprat3009]

i don't care if they were rich or poor. IMO, when you take a boat built for speed not for weather, into a storm you are not being heroic. You are being foolish at best and stupidly dangerous to yourself which is one thing, but to others you've convinced to come with you as well as those who might need to come and rescue you. But if you choose to go anyway, you should not rely on others to bail you out. But if better people then yourself do bail you out, you must take full responsibility for damage, rescue costs and lives lost if it takes all you've got.

[@m4rs12]

These 'sailors' are your typical arrogant rich boys type

[@ToddandAmandaWilliams-bm8mi]

What got my blood boiling was when the guy said in what point do you call of the race its common sense when peoples lives are at risk that really made me angry

[@andyb.1026]

Anyone (Skipper) that could not recognise the sky at 8:25 deserves all they get.. Over reliance on electronic technology blinds one to nature's signals

[@surferdjnj]

As an American, it's safe to say I know bullshit when I hear it. This is a time when being a more polite Aussie is a BAD thing. people need to call bullshit on this, the organizers are clueless.

[@MELODYMUNRO]

Nope. This race is run every year after Christmas and these boats are sailing into what can be very dangerous waters. 99% of the time most ships reach Hobart intack and with all crew - 1998 was the exception. But the organisers were NOT to blame.

[@harrietwatson6262]

I agree with you in that the organisers are clueless. My dad was in the Sydney-Hobart race the year before last, and the yacht's mast snapped in Bass Strait in the middle of the night (30 knot wind but a loose forestay caused it to snap). My sister spent the next morning talking to various organisers and race control, and nobody seemed to care that much, or wanted to help, they just passed her around to different people.

[@SuperHyee]

Thanks !

[@jamesingrey]

Yendy skipper is something else.

[@getmedc]

Interesting to see his perspective, saying he enjoyed the race, his might have been a very different story if he was on one of the less fortunate yachts.

[@jamescopeland3173]

Name the vessels and the Captains that failed to stop and render asisstance. Shameful acts

[@kennyj851]

They should have been prosecuted, it's illegal!

[@mcduck5]

The question is.... In those weather conditions what could they have done?

[@gotany1]

Lessons were learnt from fastnet of1979 not enough VHF radios, there was enough radios on this race, we have to make decsions and choices ourselves and not look else where to blame, sometimes we have to do things we were never prepared for but will mould you into something you have never imagined of. Ive beenin a couple of storms myself in a small craft and one of them (a force 11) shredded my nerves,as every wave we went over you think this is it, and my nerves tensed up at the ends, it don't help listening to old folk lore storys of Fisherman on the schooners ETC wore those big jumpers with rope patterns on them for a reason, not only for warmth but if they fell overboard they would sink, because the boats they were on could not come back for them as they were sailing craft and no engines and with the nets out or long lines they were restricted. and who ever fell over would have a single gold ear ring and that would pay for the furneral when the body was recovered, plus it didn't help me watching pirates of the caribbean every time we were boarded by customs i would meet every question with polly(some of my teeth are missing).

[@mary-janejenkins9560]

Sounds so similar to the Fastnet race in 1979 😢😢 The weather that hit the over 300 sail boats has been classified as a once in a 100 year storm Less than 1/3 of the hatch’s completed the race

[@morguetheunholy]

Reminds me of Beck Weathers an the Everest disaster and just 2 years previous...