The 'glint' caught our attention...


We could see it from a long distance. The glint is what first caught our attention. My cousin Hollis and I were sailing my 19 foot Day Sailer, 'Paula T', a few miles off Cape Cod. We weren't sure what it was at first. The constant undulating wave action combined with bright sunlight reeked havoc on our eyes. The wind blowing out of the south west made for fast sailing. We decided to investigate. 

As we approached, it became clear we were looking at an overturned 16' Catamaran. It had capsized or 'turtled'. The white hulls gleaming in the sun, dagger boards pointed skyward. Two very tired sailors in the water desperately trying to hold onto the smooth hulls. There was nothing else to grab onto. The rigging and sails were completely submerged. We attempted to sail in close without ramming the catamaran or the distressed sailors and causing more damage or injury.
 
We 'tacked' up close but, the wind was so strong, it was impossible to get a hand hold on the Cat. I had to let my boat fall away..let the wind take her, then make another attempt. No matter how many tries we made, the wind was too strong. Hollis and I talked it over and we decided I would go overboard into the fray. Hollis would remain on the 'Paula T' and stay in close to assist. He tacked back and forth ready to drag us onboard. It would prove impossible. The conditions were too chaotic. I swam to the distressed sailors who were by now worn and weary from the constant battering by the elements. They were wearing life jackets, a good thing considering the adverse conditions. 

After a quick assessment I dove under the submerged trampoline deck and struggled to disconnected the main mast pipe. It would float on it's own. This would allow the three of us to swim / push the 'Cat' close into shallower water without dragging on the bottom when reaching shallower water. The wind blowing directly toward shore, worked in our favor by moving us closer into the beach. After much swimming and pushing, we found purchase of the sandy bottom. Slowly, methodically, we pushed her the remaining distance to the beach. We wrestled the hulls upright and gathered up the tangled rigging and sails. After a brief exchange of words and gratitude, I said 'see ya' to the two very tired sailors and waded out into deeper water. Hollis expertly swung the boat around and headed towards me. At the last instant he turned her up into the wind, slowing the boat down briefly. I grabbed on and threw myself in. She tacked into the wind and we took off like being shot out of a cannon. It would be another of our Cape Cod stories that we would talk about, laugh about and tell over and over for a lifetime. However, there is footnote to this story.

As we sailed up to the overturned Catamaran one of the men in the water began lecturing 'us' on how and what direction we should approach from. This, with the wind blowing and waves rolling over the two men. I reminded him that 'he' was in the water needing rescue and 'we' were in the boat rescuing him. Later on, having reached the safety of the shore, I discovered they were father and son. The 'Cat' was a rental and they had nil sailing experience. Having said that, if it were to happen again, Hollis and I would head out to the rescue all over again. We did leave them on Monomoy island with a dismantled catamaran....that was worth a chuckle.

Jake T