VivieRae II

[Bstnsportsfan]

The 96’ Nordhavn is in the South Pacific towing her tender, in rough weather, when the tow eye breaks off the tender. The tow line then gets entangled around the VivieRae’s props causing it to shut down. The crew is unable to get the yacht running, loses the tender and activated the epirb. The Royal Navy plucks the crew off. The owner is on his way to the yacht to get it either running or towed. If someone else gets to it first they may have salvage rights to a yacht that charters for $90k/week.

interesting stuff.

[bluewaterposer]

Good read!

BWP

[KMac]

Dang.

[Sans Peur]

How does the tow line get into the props? Keep the boat in forward until.the line is retrieved, even a shallow turn to get back to the tender and you are all good. Come to a stop or try to back down and you are screwed.
I would start looking directly at the captain and what he did immediately after the line broke.

[Bstnsportsfan]

I wondered that too. An article on Nordhavn’s site said the crew was very experienced.

[MikeO]

Just not paying attention is how that happened. Shit happens and tow lines do snap but a true professional crew wouldnt have got into a situation where they foul the props.

I’m also intrigued how they get insurance for a tow tender that’s almost half the size of the yacht.

That boat used to do a lot of charter in the Exumas.

[Parker Yacht]

They should be using Amsteel or something that floats.

[duckfish]

The whole salvage rights thing has always intrigued me. Hard for someone like me who is far more tied to land to fathom.

[LFBB]

I'm a bit nuts and I'm sure that water is cold being I read the Royal navy is involved but am I the only one that would put on a wet suit and jump in with a sharp knife and try cutting the line away? How far under could it be, 4-5' draft, you've got the rope to guide you right to the effected prop. It sounds too easy to me, just have a tub of warm water waiting for you when you get back on board.

Will someone more realistic then myself tell me why not to take on this chore?

[LFBB]

Check. Agreed if the boat is getting tossed around I'm not going in, but if you can wait it out and jump in while somewhat calm, that's my move. Thanks

[DaleH]

Well, my brother the skin diver used to do that, get called to boats to clear their foulded props, and in milder seas one runs the risk of the hull coming down hard on his head. Imagine same in 'rough' conditions, where hull is rising up and dropping down 6' to 8' or more. On more than one occasion he entered the water with an early hockey helmet on his head, with any 'floating' liner removed from it ... but at least he had some protection.

What I don't get is ... EVERY towing bridle I ever used had a float 1/2-way down the line (1) for visibility and (2) so if it broke off @ the tender end, the drag of the float would keep the line out of the prop, if in forward like someone else already posted ...

[Parker Yacht]

Also. Bear in mind, this isn't 1/2" three strand nylon wrapped around that shaft.
It's most likely 3/4" 12 strand Spectra.
Wrapped around the shaft tight enough to stop a Cat.
Lloyd Bridges dive knife ain't touching it. And the fact its rough enough to LEAVE the bote.
Yea, that line can stay there.

[duckfish]

MikeO & Ole, just curious.... where do feel the paid captain's responsibilities begin and end for staying with the vessel to prevent a salvage situation?

Can someone still snatch it up, claiming salvage, if a crew member is still aboard?

[Coastboater]

Many moons ago used to call on a business down Ole’s way that made “knives” that attached to the prop shaft/strut that would supposedly cut lines that fouled props on large vessels.
IIRC, they were called Spurs. The gentleman that owned it way back then was in his early 70’s, so my guess is he’s gone but perhaps the business is still,around.

[Parker Yacht]

It is.

[Sans Peur]

Nope, the Spurs are still a thing. I had them on my 41' and plan on them for my 50 the next time it comes out. I picked up their brochure at MIBS and am making the required measurements to order them.

[Bstnsportsfan]

The 39’ tender is lost at sea. Someone is going to find a nice unmanned tender floating about.

[blaster]

Maybe it is fueled up and they can just start it right up and go? What a fool’s endeavor to tow such a prize with dental floss into spinning propellers.

[Bstnsportsfan]

They’re back on the boat. I didn’t realize I follow the boat on Instagram.

[Parker Yacht]

MikeO & Ole, just curious.... where do feel the paid captain's responsibilities begin and end for staying with the vessel to prevent a salvage situation?

Can someone still snatch it up, claiming salvage, if a crew member is still aboard?

If crew is onboard, no.
Throw the anchor out, if vessel is "anchored" no salvage rights, butt, this is in the middle of nowhere.
As for going down with the ship or staying there, my azz is in the Hekalopter.

[MikeO]

I get paid well but not well enough to stay on a foundering ship for some rich guy.

[Bstnsportsfan]

What ever happened to the captains goes down with the ship?? C’mon guys!!

[LFBB]

A 39' tender and no way to track it?

[Bstnsportsfan]

I read a custom 39’ tender with trip 400s. And no gps tracking.

[Tiretyme]

What a mess

[Sans Peur]

I saw where they got to the boat and were able.to get the line out of one of the shafts. The other was wrapped up in a fish net. They also recovered the tender. It was spotted by another ship and towed back.

[Bstnsportsfan]

We’ll that is good for them! I thought an islander was going to find it washed up on the beach!