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A U.S. couple is feared dead after their boat was allegedly hijacked by escaped prisoners in the Caribbean. Here's what to know.

Updated on: February 27, 2024 / 4:11 PM EST / CBS/AP

Authorities in the eastern Caribbean are scouring waters in the region in hopes of finding a missing U.S. couple who were aboard their catamaran Simplicity more than a week ago when police say it was hijacked by three escaped prisoners from Grenada.

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel were likely thrown into the ocean and died, police in Grenada said Monday. "Information suggests that while traveling between Grenada and St Vincent, (the suspects) disposed of the occupants," Don McKenzie, police commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force, said at a  news conference .

The search for them began on Feb. 21 after someone discovered their catamaran abandoned on the shores of St. Vincent and alerted authorities.

Police say the three prisoners escaped from a police station on Feb. 18 and hijacked the catamaran a day later. Authorities said the prisoners then illegally entered the southwest coast of St. Vincent on Feb. 19 and docked the boat. Two days later, the three men were arrested along the island's northwest coast.

Here's what to know about the case:

Who is the couple?

Hendry and Brandel sailed the eastern coast of the U.S., living on their yacht, "making friends with everyone they encountered, singing, dancing and laughing with friends and family," the couple's family said in a statement on Tuesday.

"We would like to say a few words about Kathy and Ralph that we wish all to know," the family said. "We live in a world that at times can be cruel, but it's also a world of profound beauty, wonder, adventure, love, compassion, caring, and faith. Our parents encompassed all those values and so much more. If we have learned anything from this tragic event, it's that we know they left this world in a better place than it was before they were born."

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association has described Brandel and Hendry as veteran cruisers and long-time members who were "warm-hearted and capable." It noted that Brandel served on the association's board for two years.

The association said the couple had sailed their boat in the 2023 Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia to Antigua and planned to spend the winter cruising the eastern Caribbean. A GoFundMe donation page stated that Brandel had become a first-time grandmother.

The GoFundMe page had raised over $60,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.

Family and friends have described the couple as seasoned sailors who had been vacationing in Grenada, where their boat was docked.

"It's just really sad," said longtime friend K.C. McAlpin, who added that Brandel and Hendry had planned to make this their "last grand trip" on Simplicity.

McAlpin said the couple always made friends easily and he hoped they would be remembered for their big hearts.

"They were just a delightful couple and a real blessing in my life, and the lives of so many other people," he said.

Why was the couple targeted?

It's unclear why the escaped prisoners hijacked the couple's catamaran, but it was moored at Grand Anse beach, near to the police station where the three men escaped.

Police believe the men hijacked the catamaran with the couple aboard and then allegedly threw them into the water while traveling to St. Vincent, which is located north of Grenada.

They have noted that there were signs of violence aboard the catamaran.

Who are the escaped prisoners?

Police in Grenada have identified the escaped prisoners as Trevon Robertson, a 19-year-old unemployed man; Abita Stanislaus, a 25-year-old farmer; and Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor.

All were charged a couple of months ago with one count of robbery with violence. Mitchell also was charged with one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape and two counts of indecent assault and causing harm.

Vannie Curwen, Grenada's assistant police commissioner, has said the men had been placed in a holding cell rather than in jail because a judge had not yet ruled whether they would be released on bail.

Why haven't the escaped prisoners been charged?

Police in Grenada and St. Vincent have provided limited information about the case of the missing couple, noting that the investigation is ongoing, though they have said the couple is presumed dead.

Authorities have not yet shared any specific evidence linking the three men to the couple's disappearance. St. Vincent police say the men have been cooperating in the investigation.

The men pleaded guilty this week to immigration-related charges, and are scheduled to be sentenced on those counts in early March.

Who has jurisdiction of the case?

Authorities have not said whether prosecutors in St. Vincent or Grenada would pursue the case involving the couple.

Grenada Police Commissioner Don McKenzie said the attorney generals and prosecutors on both islands "are in discussions."

Meanwhile, Grenada police sent a team of five officials to help with the investigation in nearby St. Vincent.

What's next?

Police in Grenada have launched an investigation into how the men were able to escape from their holding cell.

McKenzie has said the police station should have been secure enough to prevent such an escape, and that authorities are looking into whether it was a "system failure" or a "slip up."

McKenzie has said no officers have resigned or been disciplined, although one supervisor at the station has been transferred to another location "to ensure a thorough investigation in this matter."

In their Tuesday statement, the couple's family said that while they are incredibly saddened to hear the news that   Hendry and Brandel   are presumed dead, they remain optimistic as the search continues. 

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Tod auf See : Eine Horrorgeschichte, wie sie niemand erleben möchte

Morten Strauch

 ·  04.02.2023

Das Unglück, das sich auf der 66-Fuß-Yacht „Escape“ ereignet hatte, erschütterte im vergangenen Sommer die internationale Blauwasserszene. Freunde und Familie ließ es fassungslos zurück. Binnen weniger Sekunden waren nacheinander erst Annemarie A.-F. und dann ihr Ehemann Volker F. während eines Reffmanövers von der im Sturm umherschlagenden Großschot so schwer getroffen worden, dass beide nach dem Abbergen auf dem Weg ins Krankenhaus ihren Verletzungen erlagen.

Lange Zeit blieb völlig unklar, was genau sich im Juni 2022 auf der „Escape“, die auf dem Weg von den Bermudas nach Nova Scotia war, zugetragen hatte. Bis plötzlich Wochen später ein ausführliches Protokoll auf einer US-amerikanischen Webseite erschien. Beinahe minutengenau sind darin die Ereignisse festgehalten, die zu dem Unfall führten.

Die Angaben beruhen maßgeblich auf den Aussagen zweier überlebender Crewmitglieder, die das Eignerpaar zur Unterstützung an Bord genommen hatte, sowie auf Informationen der US-Küstenwache. Danach haben sich die beiden Mitsegler nicht wieder öffentlich zu Wort gemeldet und auch keinen Kontakt mit den Hinterbliebenen aufgenommen. Und auch die Küstenwache sowie weitere an den Rettungsmaßnahmen beteiligte Organisationen in den USA und Kanada hüllen sich bis heute größtenteils in Schweigen. Ob dies aus Rücksicht auf die Überlebenden geschieht oder aber aus Sorge vor möglichen Schadensersatzklagen seitens der Hinterbliebenen ist unklar. Nachfragen bei den direkt Beteiligten zu den Geschehnissen vor und in der Unglücksnacht jedenfalls sind unmöglich.

Meistgelesene Artikel

Dennoch lassen das vorliegende Protokoll ebenso wie die Aussagen von Experten, die mit dem Fall zu tun hatten, eine vorsichtige Einordnung der Ereignisse zu. Denn neben dem Bedürfnis nach Information geht es bei der Aufarbeitung auch darum, welche Lehren sich ableiten lassen, um ähnliche Unglücke in der Zukunft vermeiden zu können.

Bilder anderer CNB 66

Die Chronologie des Unglücks

Die nachfolgende Schilderung der Ereignisse, die sich auf der „Escape“ zugetragen haben, basiert im Wesentlichen auf den Aussagen der zwei überlebenden Besatzungsmitglieder sowie von Angehörigen der US-Küstenwache. Sheldon Stuchell hat sie für das US-Segelmagazin „Bluewater Sailing“ aufgeschrieben. Stuchell, selbst Blauwasser-Segler sowie Direktor der Salty Dawg Sailing Association, ist der einzige Privatmann, dem sich die Crew, deren Namen nicht genannt werden sollen, anvertraut hat. Die in seinem Bericht genannten Zeitangaben sind Ortszeit.

9. Juni, 10.00 Uhr

Die „Escape“ verlässt die Bermudas wie geplant. Nach der Passage des Town Cut Channels werden bei 15 Knoten Wind Großsegel und Genua gesetzt – Kurs Nord. Die 66-Fuß-Yacht hat einen leistungsstarken Segelplan, der von einem Carbon-Mast und einem V-förmigen Rollbaum aus Carbon getragen wird. In den ersten 24 Stunden werden fast 200 Seemeilen vor dem Wind zurückgelegt. Noch drei bis vier Tage bis Nova Scotia. Um den Baum zu sichern, wird ein Bullenstander gefahren, der zu einer Winsch im Cockpit zurückgeführt wird. Zu Trainingszwecken schaltet der zweite Steuermann am ersten Tag den Autopiloten für ein paar Stunden aus, um ein Gefühl für die Doppelrudersteuerung der „Escape“ zu bekommen.

9./10. Juni, nachts

Während der Wache von Volker F. ziehen einige Sturmböen durch, und es kommt zu einem Sonnenschuss. Daraufhin ruft F. die Crew an Deck und weist die Stationen zu. Es ist das erste Mal, dass sie als Team reffen müssen: Alles verläuft reibungslos und schnell. Annemarie A.-F. wird die Großschot zugewiesen, ein Crewmitglied übernimmt das Ruder, der Skipper rollt das Großsegel ein. Die Großschot ist im Cockpit vor den Steuerrädern angeschlagen, läuft zum Baum hinauf und wieder hinunter zu einem Block und von dort auf eine zentrale E-Winsch.

10. Juni, morgens

Die Crew bindet trotz stabiler Lage bei 25 Knoten Wind ein zweites Reff ein. Es regnet stark und blitzt in der Ferne. Auch dieses Mal verläuft das Manöver ohne Probleme. Um das Großsegel zu reffen, muss Volker F. nach vorn zum Mast der „Escape“, wo die E-Winsch für das Großfall und die elektrischen beziehungsweise die hydraulischen Bedienelemente für die Rollbaumanlage und den Baumniederholer positioniert sind. Wie bei den meisten Segelyachten muss die „Escape“ in den Wind gedreht werden, um das Großsegel zu setzen oder zu bergen. Der zweite Steuermann führt bei jedem Reffvorgang das Steuer, während Annemarie A.-F. die Großschot bedient.

10./11. Juni

In den nächsten 24 Stunden herrschen deutlich moderatere Bedingungen mit achterlichen Winden zwischen 10 und 18 Knoten. Es wird ausgerefft, und zur Unterstützung läuft sogar die Maschine für einige Stunden mit. Volker F. lädt via Iridium Go das Wetter von PredictWind herunter und kommuniziert per E-Mail mit seinem Wetterrouter in Deutschland. Nach zweieinhalb Tagen entsprechen Wetter und Törnverlauf genau den Vorhersagen; die „Escape“ liegt gut im Zeitplan.

11. Juni, früher Abend

Die Wettervorhersage kündigt an, dass gegen Mitternacht die Windstärke auf 12 Knoten fallen soll, Tendenz weiter fallend.

Angesichts mehrerer zuvor problemlos durchgeführter Reffmanöver mangelte es der Crew nicht an Routine

11. Juni, 21.00 Uhr

Nach Sonnenuntergang übernimmt ein Crewmitglied die Wache von 21.00 bis 1.00 Uhr. Bei 18 bis 20 Knoten Wind macht die „Escape“ unter weiterhin vollen Segeln gute neun Knoten Fahrt. Volker F. geht unter Deck, um sich für seine Wache von 1.00 bis 5.00 Uhr auszuruhen.

11. Juni, 22.00 Uhr

Der Wind frischt auf 25 Knoten auf, in Böen erreicht er fast 30 Knoten. Die Crew und Annemarie A.-F. beschließen, ihren Mann zu wecken, um erneut zu reffen. Die „Escape“ wird in den Wind gedreht. Die Besatzung refft routiniert, wie sie es nun schon fünfmal praktiziert hat. Volker F. geht zurück in seine Kabine, und die Crew segelt noch etwa eine Stunde lang weiter.

11. Juni, kurz vor Mitternacht

Die Windstärke nimmt entgegen den Vorhersagen stetig zu und erreicht 30 bis 35 Knoten. Der Seegang steigt auf etwa sechs Meter Wellenhöhe. Das Schiff befindet sich zu diesem Zeitpunkt im Golfstrom etwa 350 Seemeilen südlich von Nova Scotia. Die „Escape“ surft mit 13 Knoten die Wellen herab. Starker Regen setzt ein. Erneut ruft die Besatzung den Skipper. Als Volker F. an Deck eilt, fällt eine 40-Knoten-Bö ein. Das Schiff droht in den Wind zu schießen. Der Steuermann legt hart Ruder und versucht, Kurs zu halten. Die „Escape“ krängt so stark, dass die Reling fast durchs Wasser zieht.

Auf das Kommando des Skippers soll das Großsegel bis zum zweiten Reff gesetzt werden. Der Motor wird angelassen, und alle nehmen ihre Positionen ein. Der Rudergänger steuert in den Wind. Die Wellen, die jetzt fast acht Meter hoch sind, schlagen übers Deck, der Bug hebt und senkt sich dramatisch. Die Wellen treffen das Schiff zudem aus verschiedenen Richtungen. Volker F. beginnt die Genua einzurollen, bevor er das Großsegel verkleinern will. Seine Frau steht zwischen der Großschot-Winsch und den Steuerständen und klariert die Großschot.

Als die „Escape“ in den Wind kommt, bemerkt der Steuermann, dass der Baum nicht wie üblich zentriert ist. Bei den Reffmanövern zuvor war die Großschot dichtgeholt worden, während das Schiff in den Wind drehte. Nun aber beginnt der Baum gefährlich zu schwingen. Volker F. ruft seiner Frau auf Deutsch Anweisungen zu, welche die nicht deutsch sprechende Crew nicht verstehen kann. Dann läuft er zur Großschot, um Annemarie A.-F. zu assistieren. Seine Frau geht, um ihm Platz zu machen, in Richtung der Winschen an Backbord. Als die „Escape“ im Wind stark überholt, schlägt der Baum von Steuerbord nach Backbord. Die Großschot trifft Annemarie A.-F. am Rücken und stößt sie auf den Cockpitboden.

Sofort läuft Volker F. zu seiner Frau. Ein Crewmitglied schreit warnend, dass der Baum zurückschwingt. Kurz darauf trifft auch Volker F. die Großschot und schleudert ihn auf die Steuerbordseite. Beim Sturz bricht er sich das linke Bein unterhalb des Knies mehrfach. Innerhalb von zehn Sekunden ist das Skipperpaar schwer verletzt. Als der Baum erneut hin und her schlägt, bricht die Großschot und zu einem nicht bekannten Zeitpunkt danach der Bullenstander. Der Baum schwingt von da an unkontrolliert von einer zu anderen Seite.

12. Juni, nach Mitternacht

Die Crew kriecht in Deckung und zieht Annemarie A.-F. aus der Gefahrenzone in den Sitzbereich des Cockpits, um sie dort in eine möglichst ruhige und stabile Lage zu bringen. Lose und gebrochene Leinen peitschen währenddessen umher. Auch Volker F. wird weiter aus dem Gefahrenbereich gezogen. Einer der Mitsegler beginnt sofort mit Erster Hilfe für den Skipper, indem er einen Gurt von einer Rettungsweste nimmt und damit einen Druckverband über dem Knie anlegt, um die Blutung zu stillen. Der andere eilt nach unten, um medizinische Ausrüstung und die Epirb zu holen. Nach dem Auslösen der Epirb wird der Unterschenkel des Skippers verbunden und danach über UKW-Kanal 16 ein Mayday-Ruf abgesetzt.

Da kein Schiff auf dem AIS zu sehen ist und auch keine Antwort auf den Notruf eingeht, aktiviert Volker F. zusätzlich das Satellitentelefon. Als es ihm gelingt, Kontakt zur Küstenwache aufzunehmen, übergibt er das Telefon an ein Besatzungsmitglied. Dieses wickelt von nun an die weitere Kommunikation vom Niedergang aus ab. Es wird um eine sofortige medizinische Evakuierung der Verletzten gebeten. Zudem wird ein Zeitplan für Updates erstellt, um die Retter über Seegang, Windgeschwindigkeiten, Bootsgeschwindigkeit, Koordinaten und medizinische Belange auf dem Laufenden zu halten.

Unterdessen ist die „Escape“ weiterhin außer Kontrolle. Genua und Groß flattern wild. Der schlagende Baum senkt sich ab und streift zunächst das Bimini, bis er schließlich dessen Metallrahmen zerdrückt und verformt. Als der Baum abermals nach Backbord schwingt und in die Wanten schlägt, gelingt es der Crew, das Boot vor den Wind zu legen, um den Baum an den Wanten zu halten. Mit dem Wind nun im Rücken kommt eine gewisse Stabilität ins Boot, wobei der Baum gelegentlich in die Wellen eintaucht und zurück gegen die Wanten geworfen wird.

12. Juni, ca. 1.00 Uhr

Einem Besatzungsmitglied gelingt es, zu den steuerbordseitigen Winschen zu kriechen und die zerrissene Genua zu bergen. Zurück am Ruder, steuert es fast drei Stunden lang vor dem Wind. Das andere kümmert sich um das Skipperpaar. Der heftige Regen, Wind und Seegang halten an. Die „Escape“ befindet sich nunmehr fast 400 Seemeilen vor der Küste und fährt mit 10 Knoten. Wind und Golfstrom versetzen das Boot zusätzlich ostwärts. Über Satellitentelefon wird Kontakt mit der US-amerikanischen sowie der kanadischen Küstenwache in Halifax gehalten.

Glücklicherweise ist ein Patrouillenboot der US-Küstenwache gerade unterwegs vor der Nordostküste der USA, wenn auch mehr als einen Tag von der „Escape“ entfernt. Da es genügend Kerosin an Bord hat, läuft es eine Position an, an der es als Zwischenstopp für einen Rettungshubschrauber dienen kann, der dort in beide Richtungen fliegend auftanken kann. Mit nur einer Tankfüllung wäre die Reichweite eines Hubschraubers nicht groß genug, um zur „Escape“ und wieder zurück zu fliegen. Die Crew legt derweil mit Hilfe eines Zeisings einen weiteren Druckverband um das Bein von Volker F. Bei Annemarie A.-F. wird eine Verletzung der Wirbelsäule befürchtet. Der Skipper gibt weiterhin Hilfestellung, so gut er kann, während die Crew dafür sorgt, dass beide wach bleiben sowie Wasser und mentalen Zuspruch bekommen.

12. Juni, 2.00 Uhr

Der Wind flaut kurzzeitig auf 15 Knoten ab. Es wird der Versuch unternommen, auf dem Vormwind-Kurs das Großsegel zu verkleinern. Der Winddruck ist jedoch zu groß, das Segel verklemmt sich nach etwa einem Meter in der Rollbaumvorrichtung und lässt sich nicht weiter einholen. Am Großsegel hängend, gelingt es, einen weiteren Meter Segel herunterzuziehen, wodurch sich die Segelfläche weiter verringert. Daraufhin wird das Schiff mit voller Motorleistung in den Wind gesteuert, um den freischwingenden Baum provisorisch zu sichern. Nach mehreren Versuchen gelingt es, ihn in einer zentrierten Position mit mehreren Leinen festzulaschen. Ab diesem Zeitpunkt ist die „Escape“ behelfsmäßig unter Kontrolle. Der Kurs wird nach Westen geändert, in Richtung Land. Die US Coast Guard wird über den neuen Kurs unterrichtet.

12. Juni, 6.00 Uhr

Ein vorab entsandtes C130-Flugzeug der US-Küstenwache erreicht den Schauplatz, um via UKW eine klare Kommunikation zwischen der „Escape“ und dem nachfolgenden Rettungshubschrauber herzustellen. Auf Anweisung wird das Deck geräumt, und es werden Updates über den Seegang, die Windgeschwindigkeit, den Status des Bootes, den Baum, das Großsegel und den Zustand der Verletzten übermittelt.

12. Juni, 6.30 Uhr

Der Hubschrauber trifft mit zwei Tauchern an Bord ein. Der Bootsmotor wird zur Sicherheit der Taucher abgestellt und die Badeplattform abgesenkt. Die Taucher springen aus dem Hubschrauber, schwimmen zum Boot, steigen am Heck ein und beginnen mit der medizinischen Versorgung des Skipperpaares. Die Schwerverletzten werden dann mit Rettungskörben abgeborgen. Die Besatzung beschließt, an Bord der „Escape“ zu bleiben, um die Rettungsmaßnahmen nicht zu verzögern. Beim Abflug des Hubschraubers wird die Crew angewiesen, einen Kurs von 300 Grad anzulegen, um auf das Schiff der US Coast Guard zu treffen. Auf dem Weg dorthin flaut der Wind ab und der Seegang beruhigt sich – viel später, als ursprünglich vorhergesagt.

12. Juni, 15.45 Uhr

Per Satellitentelefon wird die Besatzung informiert, dass Volker F. und Annemarie A.-F. ihren schweren Verletzungen erlegen sind. Die Eignerin sei bei der Ankunft auf dem Schiff der Küstenwache, der Skipper während des Hubschraubertransports vom Patrouillenboot zum Krankenhaus gestorben. Beide werden im Krankenhaus in Massachusetts für tot erklärt.

12. Juni, 16.45 Uhr

Die „Escape“ trifft etwa 350 Seemeilen vor der Küste mit dem Schiff der US-Küstenwache zusammen. Die Crew wird übergesetzt, die Segelyacht auf See aufgegeben.

So weit das Protokoll. Es bleiben aber offene Fragen.

War das Wetter wirklich so hart?

Einschätzungen von wetterprofi sebastian wache.

Wie haben Sie den Skipper auf den bevorstehenden Törn von den Bermudas nach Nova Scotia wettertechnisch vorbereitet?

Wir wollten den ersten Tropensturm „Alex“, der am 5./6. Juni vom Golf von Mexiko in Richtung Bermudas zog, passieren lassen, um mit den moderaten Südwestwinden des abziehenden Sturmtiefs raumschots nach Nordost segeln zu können. Der genaue Startzeitpunkt lag dann in der Verantwortung des Skippers, abhängig von den lokalen Bedingungen.

Hatten Sie danach noch einmal Kontakt?

Nach zwei Tagen auf See lieferten wir ein Wetter-Update, auf dessen Grundlage wir eine Kursänderung auf Nordwest vorschlugen, um neuen Tiefs aus Kanada kommend so gut es ging auszuweichen. Die Wetter­lage wurde zu diesem Zeitpunkt schlechter, und wir hatten Böen von 30 bis 35 Knoten prognostiziert, die in Schauern oder Gewittern auch stärker einfallen konnten. Die Strategie war, am 11./12. Juni durchzustechen, um innerhalb weniger Stunden wieder in den Hochdruckeinfluss zu gelangen.

Bestand aufgrund der Wetterprognose Anlass zur Sorge?

Für einen erfahrenen Skipper mit Crew waren die vorhergesagten Bedingungen anspruchsvoll, lieferten aber keinen Grund zur Sorge. Volker F. hatte mit dem Schiff während unserer Zusammenarbeit schon ähn­liche Wetterlagen gemeistert. Zudem hätte die „Escape“ das angekündigte Schlechtwetter-Fenster schnell passieren können.

Was ist aus Ihrer Sicht dann passiert?

Die „Escape“ geriet in der Nacht vom 11. auf den 12. Juni dicht an ein Randtief, ein kleinräumiges Tiefdruckgebiet, das sich aus den Verwirbelungen eines Haupttiefs entwickeln kann. Dadurch kam es zu drehenden Winden und überlagerten Wellenbildern, gepaart mit Schauern, vereinzelten Gewittern und kräftigen Böen. Auch der Golfstrom wird zu der kabbeligen See beigetragen haben. Beim Reffmanöver kam es dann zu dem schrecklichen Unfall.

Im Nachhinein betrachtet: Wurde die Wetterlage unterschätzt?

Da wir mit dem Skipperpaar viel Kontakt hatten, ging uns diese Tragödie sehr nahe. Wir haben im Nachgang alles intensiv aufgearbeitet und hin und her überlegt, was man hätte anders machen können oder ob wir gar etwas übersehen hatten. Der Wetterverlauf entsprach jedoch exakt unseren Vorhersagen. Einzig die Kommunikations-Frequenz hätte erhöht werden können, aber das muss vom Skipper ausgehen, da es sich auch um eine Kostenfrage handelt. Am Fahrplan hätte dies jedoch nichts geändert.

Können aus dieser Tragödie Lehren gezogen werden?

Professionelles Wetterrouting ist heutzutage ein wichtiger Bestandteil der Navigation auf hoher See. Wir können gute Prognosen abgeben und Tipps für den Routenverlauf. Die Verantwortung liegt aber letztendlich immer beim Skipper, der in diesem Fall aus meteorologischer Sicht allerdings auch nichts falsch gemacht hat.

Hatte die Crew ausreichend Erfahrung?

Volker war ein sehr umsichtiger Segler.” (Mareike Guhr)

“ Ich habe Annemarie und Volker während meiner Berichterstattung über die ARC 2019 in Las Palmas kennengelernt. Im Ziel auf Saint Lucia haben wir uns wieder getroffen und angefreundet. Sie waren ein besonders gastfreundliches und herzliches Paar mit vielen sozialen Kontakten, und wir haben uns über die Jahre immer wieder an verschiedenen Ankerplätzen verabredet und einige schöne Erlebnisse geteilt.

Im Sommer 2021 haben die beiden mich auf ihrer ,Escape ’ für zehn Tage mitgenommen. Gemeinsam sind wir die USamerikanische Ostküste hinaufgesegelt. Das Schiff habe ich als ziemlich massiv und beeindruckend in Erinnerung, von kleiner Crew gerade noch beherrschbar. Volker war ein sehr erfahrener und umsichtiger Segler, der sein Schiff beherrschte und immer bestens pflegte. Das Unglück ging mir sehr nahe, und es ist noch immer so unfassbar, dass es schwerfällt, darüber zu reden. Wie alle bin ich sehr enttäuscht, dass die Überlebenden sich nie bei der Familie gemeldet haben, um die Geschehnisse erklärbarer zu machen und Spekulationen zu vermeiden. Ich vermute, sie wollen sich nicht angreifbar machen.

Diese Verkettung unglücklichster Umstände sollte für alle Segler eine Erinnerung sein, dass draußen auf hoher See eine Rettung unter Umständen langwierig und kompliziert ist. Ich wünsche mir, der Segler-Community und natürlich der Familie, dass Annemarie und Volker in guter Erinnerung bleiben – wir vermissen sie sehr. ”

Wie wurde die „Escape“ gefunden?

Am 14. Juni wurde der Grünwalder Bootsversicherungsmakler Bavaria, über den die Yacht versichert war, über das Unglück informiert. In Zusammenarbeit mit dem Hamburger Yacht-Consulting-Büro Zucker & Partner koordinierte man die Suche nach der aufgegebenen „Escape“. Die erste mit einem Fischtrawler durchgeführte Suchaktion, die sich auf Informationen der US-Küstenwache stützte, musste nach einer Woche ergebnislos abgebrochen werden. Das Suchgebiet hatte sich als viel größer erwiesen als angenommen.

Nun wurde PAL Aerospace eingeschaltet, ein kanadisches Unternehmen, das unter anderem eine Abteilung unterhält, die sich mit Driftparametern von Eisbergen beschäftigt. Ausgehend von der letzten bekannten Schiffsposition, berechneten die Spezialisten, wohin die „Escape“ voraussichtlich getrieben war, nachdem das Skipperpaar abgeborgen und später die überlebende Crew auf das Schiff der Küstenwache übergestiegen war. Der Trawler erhielt die entsprechenden Koordinaten, zusätzlich wurde ein Flugzeug von St. Johns auf Neufundland aus losgeschickt, um die Aktion aus der Luft zu unterstützen.

In der Nacht auf den 22. Juni stießen die Berger tatsächlich auf die „Escape“ – ziemlich genau dort, wo die Driftspezialisten sie vermutet hatten. Das teils herabgezogene Großsegel war noch gesetzt, aufs Heck hatten die Retter der Küstenwache zehn Tage zuvor das Kürzel USCG für United States Coast Guard gesprayt. Bei Anbruch des nächsten Tages setzte eine dreiköpfige Crew über, um das Boot zu inspizieren und es anschließend nach Dartmouth Cove in Nova Scotia zu überführen. Dort wird es repariert und soll anschließend ins Nachlassvermögen für die Hinterbliebenen einfließen.

War es schlechte Seemannschaft?

Nachdem das Protokoll des Augenzeugenberichts in den USA veröffentlicht worden war, keimten im Internet Diskussionen auf, ob die Crew der „Escape“ das Reffmanöver nicht hätte anders – sicherer – durchführen können. Und zwar vor dem Wind segelnd, statt das Boot klassisch in den Wind zu steuern. Die Gründe für ein Reffen mit ausgebaumtem Groß vor dem Wind scheinen plausibel: Das Schiff bleibt auf stabilem Kurs, statt gegen Wind und Welle zu stampfen. Weder Baum noch Fock werden zur Gefahr für die Crew, insbesondere dann nicht, wenn ein Bullenstander gesetzt wird. Selbst wenn das Segel dabei an den Wanten oder an der Saling klebe, ließe es sich in der Regel bei gelöstem Fall stückweise herunterzerren. Und auch auf Amwind-Kurs segelnd sei ein Reffmanöver möglich, wenn durch den Abwind der dichtgeholten Genua und das Fieren des Großsegels der Druck im Tuch abgebaut werde.

Auf vielen kleineren Booten mit herkömmlichen Riggs, vor allem solchen ohne Rollanlagen oder ohne Segellatten im Groß, wie auch auf Multihulls sind diese Arten des Reffens nicht gänzlich unüblich. Mit dem speziellen Rollbaum-System, mit dem die „Escape“, eine CNB 66, ausgerüstet war, jedoch nicht. CNB-Yachts-Repräsentant Arno Kronenberg erklärt:

Ein Reffen vor dem Wind ist auf diesem Schiff nicht möglich”

Kronenberg weiter: “Das Vorliek des Großsegels steckt ohne Rutscher in der Nut vom Mast. Vor dem Wind entstünde daher so viel Reibung und Widerstand, dass ein Reffen, auch mit einer elektrischen Winsch, unmöglich wäre.“

Selbst unter Idealbedingungen, wenn das Boot im Wind steht, ist das Reffen mit einem Rollbaum nicht unkompliziert. Da im Vergleich zu Rollmast oder -genua nicht das Unterliek, sondern das drei- bis viermal so lange Vorliek aufgerollt werden muss, reagieren Rollbäume wesentlich empfindlicher auf den Tucheinlauf. Der richtige Winkel zwischen Mastnut und Rollachse muss eingehalten werden. Sonst würde das Vorliek entweder zu schnell nach achtern wandern oder sich vorn stauen.

Die von einigen Herstellern genannten Winkel von 87 oder 88 Grad sind dabei nur ein Anhaltspunkt. Der exakte Wert variiert von Segel zu Segel und wird während der Installation des Systems anhand von Rollversuchen ermittelt. Anschließend setzt man den Kicker in dieser Position fest. Diese Einstellung sollte ein erfahrener Segelmacher oder Rigger vornehmen. Oft wird ferner ein Dyneemastropp eingespleißt, der das Steigen des Baums begrenzt. Bei starkem Seegang sollte man ihn zusätzlich mit einer Dirk fixieren.

Für sehr große Yachten bietet sich das hydraulische Furlfind-System von Reckmann an. Damit lässt sich der Kicker per Knopfdruck in die programmierte Roll-Position fahren. Vor jedem Rollvorgang muss der Baum dann in diese Grundposition gebracht werden. Dabei ist auch die Einstellung des Achterstags zu beachten. Es beeinflusst die Mastbiegung und damit den Winkel zum Baum. Es sollte vor dem Rollen auf Grundtrimm gebracht werden.

Ein weiterer Punkt, der im Netz diskutiert wurde, ist das mittig im Cockpit platzierte Großschotsystem, dessen Arbeitsbereich bei entsprechenden Segelmanövern zu einer No-Go-Zone wird. Dazu Kronenberg: „Bei Booten dieser Größenordnung muss die Großschot im Cockpit arretiert sein. Dadurch entsteht ein Gefahrenpunkt, an dem man sich bei entsprechenden Manövern nicht aufhalten darf. Sicherheit würde ein Targabügel bringen. Der hätte allerdings zur Folge, dass der Baum weiter nach oben versetzt würde, was mit einem Verlust an Segelfläche und Performance einherginge.“

Hätte das Unglück vermieden werden können?

Eine verklemmte Großschot, eine defekte Winsch oder eine andere Ursache? Was genau der Auslöser war, der die verhängnisvolle Kettenreaktion in Gang setzte, die dem Skipperpaar zum Verhängnis wurde, wird wohl nie geklärt werden. Bei der Bewertung der Wetterlage zum Zeitpunkt des Unglücks gehen die Meinungen der Meteorologen und der überlebenden Besatzungsmitglieder auseinander. Während die Crew sich statt in einer offenbar erwarteten Flaute in einem Sturm mit acht Meter hohen Wellen wähnte, beruft sich das Wetterrouting-Team auf eine exakt vorhergesagte und etwas weniger dramatische Wetterlage, die zudem mit dem Skipper besprochen worden sei und die dieser zu durchfahren gedachte.

Fakt hingegen scheint, dass sich Annemarie A.-F. während des Reffmanövers an einer sehr gefährlichen Stelle im Cockpit aufgehalten hat. Die Großschot auf einem Boot dieser Größe kann zu einer tödlichen Waffe mutieren. Warum der Baum nicht zentriert und fixiert worden war oder ob die Seglerin Probleme hatte, genau dies zu tun, beantwortet der Bericht der Crew nicht. Bleibt als Erkenntnis, dass es auf dem Wasser trotz aller Vorsichtsmaßnahmen und sorgfältiger Vorbereitung 100-prozentige Sicherheit nicht gibt. Und dass in Stresssituationen Probleme blitzschnell eskalieren können.

Übung und Routine tragen dazu bei, dass Manöver sicher ablaufen. Voraussetzung jedoch ist, dass die an Bord vorhandene Technik auch in Extremsituationen beherrschbar bleibt. Auf großen modernen Yachten mit ihren teils aufwändigen und mächtigen elektrischen und hydraulischen Systemen kann das für eine Fahrtenseglercrew zur Herausforderung werden. Ob dies aber auf das Skipperpaar der „Escape“ zutrifft oder ob es letztlich eine Verkettung unglücklicher und nicht zu beeinflussender Ereignisse war – wir wissen es nicht.

Weitere dramatische Seenotfälle:

• Katamaran sinkt wegen defekter Notausstiegsluken
• Strandung wäre vermeidbar gewesen – Retter verursachen Mastbruch
• Wie die spektakuläre Rettung des gekenterten Ocean-50-Tris gelang
• Russe strandet in Dänemark und wird von deutschen Touristen versorgt

Meistgelesen in der Rubrik Special

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A sailing yacht has been towed to Dartmouth Cove in Nova Scotia after its German owners were killed last month in an accident at sea.

Volker Frank and Annemarie Auer-Frank lived on their CNB 66 yacht, Escape, and blogged about their sailing experiences.

Last month, the couple picked up two American passengers somewhere in the Caribbean. Around June 9, they left Bermuda and headed for Nova Scotia.

On the morning of June 12, they ran into a bad storm off the coast of Massachusetts, said Lt.-Cmdr. Mason Wilcox of the U.S. Coast Guard.

"There was some sort of rigging failure that had caused an injury to the lady on board, and when the gentleman went by to go help her, he sustained injuries as well," said Wilcox.

"Because of those injuries, the two passengers … hit the emergency beacon on board to say, 'We need help.'"

The coast guard answered the call, and the German couple were taken to Massachusetts where they were pronounced dead.

The coast guard returned later that day to rescue the two American passengers who remained on board Escape, which was left adrift.

"We did not tow the sailboat back because we wanted to get them back to shore as quickly as possible. And unfortunately, towing a sailboat that far could probably cause more damage if we went fast," said Wilcox.

Philip Wash, an experienced sailor from Halifax, was hired by Leeway Marine in Dartmouth to retrieve the yacht.

He and a crew left from Pubnico a couple of weeks ago on a lobster fishing vessel. They spent days searching the Atlantic Ocean for Escape and finally found it in the middle of the night.

"We put all kinds of lights on it, and there it was, just sitting there, flopping back and forth," Wash said.

Before disturbing anything on board, Wash and his crew took pictures of the scene for the German insurance company and investigators. 

It's unclear how long the yacht will remain at Dartmouth Cove.

The German investigation into the accident, with the help of the U.S. Coast Guard, is ongoing. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Victoria Welland is a reporter with CBC Nova Scotia. You can reach her at [email protected]

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USA: Segel-Paar Frank aus Köln verunglückt tödlich - jetzt gibt es die traurige Gewissheit

Sie lebten für die abenteuerlust, traurige gewissheit: kölner segel-paar verunglückt tödlich in den usa.

11. Juli 2022 um 09:06 Uhr

2019 hatten Volker und Annemarie Frank das Abenteuer ihres Lebens gewagt. Gemeinsam bereiste das Kölner Ehepaar mit seiner Segelyacht „Escape“ die ganze Welt. Nachdem die beiden seit Anfang Juni als vermisst gelten, steht nun fest: Die Abenteurer sind tödlich verunglückt.

Yacht bei Dartmouth in Nova Scotia gefunden

Die gesamte Reise hielt das Ehepaar Frank in dem Blog „sailingescape“ fest. Dort hieß es in einem Beitrag von 8. Juni 2022, der in Hamilton, der Hauptstadt der Bermudas, entstanden ist:„Der erste Tropensturm der Saison, ‚Alex‘, ist auf dem Weg zu uns. So wie es scheint, wird er genau über unser kleines Inselparadies hinwegziehen.“ Tatsächlich war das das allerletzte Update im Netz, bevor Annemarie und Volker in ihr Unglück segelten.

Laut der US-Küstenwache seien sie dann am Morgen des 12. Juni vor der Küste von Massachusetts in den Sturm geraten, der unter anderem einen Mastbruch verursachte und zunächst Annemarie verletzte. Als Volker seiner Frau zur Hilfe eilen wollte, soll auch er schwere Verletzungen davongetragen haben. Zwei weitere Personen, die ebenfalls auf dem Boot waren und offenbar Glück im Unglück hatten, hätten anschließend das Notsignal ausgelöst.

Noch vor Kurzem feierten die Segler ihren 20. Jahrestag

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Zu Beginn ihres Segel-Trips hatten Annemarie und Volker Frank noch geschwärmt: „Wir haben beschlossen, unser Leben auf den Kopf zu stellen und etwas völlig Neues zu wagen. Nun leben wir auf unserer wunderschönen Segelyacht ‚Escape‘ und haben Segeln und Reisen zu unserem Lebensmittelpunkt gemacht.“ (dga)

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Two Americans believed dead after escaped prisoners hijack yacht in Grenada

Three escaped prison inmates may have killed two people, believed to be American citizens, on a yacht they are thought to have hijacked as they tried to make their way from Grenada to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, according to Grenada police.

Police in the small Caribbean nation said Thursday that preliminary information “suggests” that after escaping, the three escaped male prisoners hijacked a yacht in St. George, Grenada.

Police are “currently working on leads that suggest that the two occupants of the yacht may have been killed in the process,” the statement added. “It is believed that the occupants of the yacht were American citizens.”

The three suspects are now back in custody after their February 18 escape, police said. It is unclear how they were caught.

The Royal Grenada Police Force said three men - Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 19, and Anita Stanislaus - had been charged on suspicion of robbery with violence. It added that Mitchell faces other charges including rape, indecent assault and causing harm.

Police said the men had been at the South St George Police Station before escaping custody on Sunday. They were recaptured on Wednesday.

CNN has contacted both Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines police for more information related to this case.

“We are aware of these reports involving US citizens. We are monitoring the situation and seeking additional information,” a US State Department spokesperson told CNN Friday. US authorities are working with local law enforcement officials on the incident, the spokesperson added.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com

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Couple who quit their jobs to live their dream sailing the world die in freak accident

Volker Frank, 57, and his 54-year-old wife Annemarie had been living their dream, travelling the world on their yacht before disaster struck

• 17:08, 11 Jul 2022
• Updated 17:10, 11 Jul 2022

A couple who found fame online after quitting their jobs to sail around the world have died in a freak accident after they were killed by the rigging on their boat during a storm .

Volker Frank, 57, and his 54-year-old wife Annemarie left Germany for the high seas in their yacht Escape to begin their new life in 2019.

But violent tropical storm Alex brought their three year odyssey to a tragic end, to the dismay of friends and family, as well as fans who followed the couple's adventures online.

Officials believe the storm had damaged the yacht's rigging which first injured Annemarie and then Volker when he tried to save her.

Both were declared dead after US Coast Guards airlifted them to Massachusetts.

Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Mason Wilcox said the storm caught them on 12th June.

The pair were carrying two American national passengers on board.

Wilcox said: "There was some sort of rigging failure that had caused an injury to the lady on board, and when the gentleman went by to go help her, he sustained injuries as well.

"Because of those injuries, the two passengers hit the emergency beacon on board to say, 'We need help.'"

On the 9th June, the yacht had left Bermuda - a British island territory in the North Atlantic Ocean - and headed for Nova Scotia.

Canadian broadcaster CBC reports that the Franks picked up two American passengers somewhere in the Caribbean.

Rescuers left them on board while they flew out the Franks and then returned for them, leaving the yacht adrift.

Their identities have been withheld by US officials.

The couple's 68-feet French-built CNB 66 yacht was eventually towed to Dartmouth Cove in Nova Scotia, Canada.

The Franks' ocean adventure had become a huge social media hit before the tragedy struck.

They announced when they launched it: "We have decided to turn our world upside down and start something totally new.

"Now we are enjoying life on our wonderful sailing yacht Escape. Sailing and travelling have become the main aspects of our lives."

The yacht was eventually retrieved by local sailor Philip Wash from Halifax.

He said: "We put all kinds of lights on it, and there it was, just sitting there, flopping back and forth."

German and US authorities are investigating the accident.

Volker and Annemarie - who got married in 2002 - covered over 24,000 nautical miles since having embarked on their trip three years ago.

Their Instagram channel - which has around 2,000 followers - is full of breathtaking shots of sunsets and Caribbean coastlines.

In her final blog post published on the 8th June, Annemarie had voiced concerns about the upcoming sailing conditions.

She wrote: "We really enjoyed our short visit to St. George's. We are really looking forward to what Bermuda has to offer in the coming days.

"However, we are well aware that the foreseeable future does not hold just relaxing sightseeing for us. 'Alex', the first tropical storm of the season, is approaching.

"It appears as if 'Alex' will plough right through our gorgeous little island paradise."

Earlier on in her last text, the retired pharmacist wrote about visiting St. George's Queen Elizabeth Park.

She underlined the local residents' hospitality and joked about taking a bus "although the skipper (her husband) is not a big fan of public transport."

Meanwhile, Annemarie's brother, Alexander Auer, asked friends and followers not to indulge in speculations about their accident.

He told a local newspaper: "Our compassion soothes our sorrows. However, may we ask you not to speculate on the occurrences? I plan to make another statement at a later date."

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US couple whose yacht was hijacked were likely thrown overboard and died, Grenada police say

Three escaped prisoners hijacked the catamaran “simplicity” on feb. 19 and headed to st. vincent and the grenadines, where they were arrested last wednesday, by dánica coto | associated press • published february 26, 2024 • updated on february 26, 2024 at 7:54 pm.

An older U.S. couple whose catamaran was hijacked last week in the Caribbean by three escaped prisoners were likely thrown into the ocean and died, police in Grenada said Monday.

The announcement is a blow to those who were independently helping search for Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel and had hoped they were still alive.

Don McKenzie, police commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force, said at a news conference that the three prisoners escaped on Feb. 18 from the South Saint George Police Station. They hijacked the catamaran “Simplicity” on Feb. 19 and headed to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where they were arrested last Wednesday, he said.

“Information suggests that while traveling between Grenada and St Vincent, they disposed of the occupants,” McKenzie said.

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When pressed for details, he said, “We have nothing conclusive to say that the individuals are dead. We still hold out hope that in spite (of) what might be a low probability, that they would turn up alive somewhere.”

He noted that he was “quite limited” with what he could share with the public regarding the case because the investigation is ongoing, and because Grenadian authorities still don’t have much information.

“The information I possess is limited and can be considered second-hand as I have had very limited discussions regarding the details of the investigation with my Vincentian counterpart,” McKenzie said.

St. Vincent police could not be immediately reached for comment.

Sons of missing Virginia couple whose yacht was hijacked in Caribbean call attack ‘unimaginable'

Caribbean officials search for 2 people aboard a yacht they say was hijacked by 3 escaped prisoners

The nonprofit Salty Dawg Sailing Association said Hendry and Brandel were “veteran cruisers” and longtime members of the association, calling them “warm-hearted and capable.”

It said the couple had sailed the yacht in last year’s Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua, and were spending the winter cruising in the eastern Caribbean.

A son of Hendry and a son of Brandel did not immediately return messages for comment.

A GoFundMe page created to raise money for the couple's family noted that Brandel had recently become a first-time grandmother, and that the sailing community was “shattered” by what happened.

“Kathy and Ralph, experienced adventurers, spent their retirement sailing aboard Simplicity, spending summers in New England and embracing the warmth of Caribbean winters,” the page stated.

McKenzie, Grenada's police commissioner, said a five-person team was sent to St. Vincent to help with the investigation.

After his brief announcement on Monday, McKenzie and other police officials took questions from local media, including one reporter who asked, “Who is really to be blamed for this massive failure to keep these prisoners under the control of the (Royal Grenada Police Force) which has now resulted in this tragedy?”

McKenzie said police have launched an investigation into the escape and are looking into whether it was “a system failure” or a case of a “slip up.”

“All aspects of that investigation are on the table,” he said, adding that the police holding station where the three men were being held has “sufficient safety to prevent an incident like that (from) occurring.”

When the reporter asked why the three men who were arrested remained in a holding cell instead of prison, Vannie Curwen, assistant police commissioner, said the men first had to see a magistrate who would decide whether to grant bail or order them remanded.

The escaped prisoners, ages 19, 25 and 30, were charged a couple of months ago with one count of robbery with violence. The eldest inmate also was charged with one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape and two counts of indecent assault and causing harm, police in Grenada said.

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3 escaped inmates from Grenada charged with murder after US sailing couple vanishes

Police transport escaped prisoners Atiba Stanislaus, far left, and Trevon Robertson who are handcuffed together in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Monday, March 4, 2024. The men had escaped from a police holding cell in Grenada on Feb. 18 and are suspected of hijacking a catamaran while Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel, who disappeared, were aboard. (AP Photo/Kenton Chance)

The yacht “Simplicity”, that officials say was hijacked by three escaped prisoners with two people aboard, is docked at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coastguard Service Calliaqua Base, in Calliaqua, St. Vincent, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Authorities in the eastern Caribbean said they were trying to locate two people believed to be U.S. citizens who were aboard the yacht that was hijacked by the three escaped prisoners from Grenada. (AP Photo/Kenton X. Chance)

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Three escaped inmates from the eastern Caribbean island of Grenada were charged in the killing of a U.S. couple whose catamaran they hijacked, police said Thursday.

Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor; Atiba Stanislaus, a 25-year-old farmer; and Trevon Robertson, a 23-year-old unemployed man, were charged with capital murder, escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and kidnapping. Stanislaus also was charged with one count of rape, according to a statement from the Royal Grenada Police Force.

The men appeared in court on Thursday and were ordered held in prison until their hearing in late March.

They were accused of escaping from a police holding cell on Feb. 18 and hijacking a catamaran owned by Ralph Henry and Kathy Brandel while they were aboard. Authorities said they believe the couple was thrown overboard as the suspects sailed to nearby St. Vincent, where they were arrested on Feb. 21.

The three men were ordered deported from St. Vincent on Monday.

The nonprofit Salty Dawg Sailing Association described Hendry and Brandel as “veteran cruisers” who participated in last year’s Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua, and had planned to spend the winter cruising in the eastern Caribbean.

Their bodies have not been found.

Missing American couple allegedly hijacked on yacht in Grenada were likely thrown overboard and are presumed dead, police say

T he American couple allegedly hijacked by escaped prisoners while on their yacht in Grenada last week were likely thrown overboard, Royal Grenada Police Force Commissioner Don McKenzie said during a news conference Monday.

The pair is “presumed dead,” according to a separate Monday statement from the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.

According to that statement, three suspects, who escaped a prison in Grenada before allegedly hijacking the yacht and sailing off to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, committed “several criminal acts including bodily harm to the couple” while sailing. When authorities eventually recovered the yacht, the scene was “consistent with signs of violence,” the police force said.

“Several items were strewn on the deck and in the cabin and a red substance that resembled blood was seen on board. There was no discovery of bodies on board the yacht,” that statement added.

Information suggests the escapees “disposed of the occupants” while traveling between Grenada and St. Vincent, about 80 miles away, McKenzie said in the news conference.

Still, police said they cannot conclusively confirm the current status or whereabouts of the couple, Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry. In spite of a “low probability,” they hope “they may turn up alive somewhere,” McKenzie said.

The grim updates come as police in the Caribbean have been investigating the disappearance of the American couple and as their family braces for the possibility “they aren’t with us” after the violent scene suggests they may have been killed.

The Virginia couple, identified by their sailing club, were living out a long-held dream of cruising the Caribbean in their sailing yacht, Simplicity. The vessel was found abandoned Wednesday off the coast of St. Vincent with the husband and wife nowhere to be found, according to the club, the Salty Dawg Sailing Association.

Police said a trio of prisoners escaped from custody in Grenada last Sunday, February 18, and were recaptured three days later. Evidence suggests the escapees hijacked the yacht and may have killed its two American occupants in St. George as they fled to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Royal Grenada Police Force said in a statement .

Police said they are in contact with the US representative in Grenada. After the capture, a five-member team was dispatched from Grenada to collaborate with St. Vincent authorities for a “complete and thorough investigation,” the commissioner said.

Possibilities of bribes or collusion among police and the three escapees will be investigated, McKenzie said. An investigation is underway to see if the escape was a “system failure” or if it “was a case that somebody did slip up,” he said.

The suspects in the hijacking – Ron Mitchell, 30; Trevon Robertson, 19; and Abita Stanislaus, 25 – were cooperating with investigators, Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force Superintendent Junior O. Simmons said. Prior to the escape, all three had been charged on suspicion of robbery with violence and Mitchell faced other charges, including rape and indecent assault, the Royal Grenada Police Force said.

The suspects went in front of a St. Vincentian judge Monday over immigration-related charges that they all pleaded guilty to, according to the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.

The search and investigation related to the couple will continue, police said.

The US State Department said Friday it is “aware of these reports involving US citizens. We are monitoring the situation and seeking additional information.”

‘It was their home,’ son says

Hendry’s son, Bryan Hendry, and Brandel’s son, Nick Buro, released a joint statement on Tuesday, remembering their parents for living with love, faith and sailing.

“Ralph and Kathy lived a life that most of us can only dream of, sailing the eastern coast of the United States, living on their home Simplicity, making friends with everyone they encountered, singing, dancing and laughing with friends and family – that’s who Ralph and Kathy were and that’s how they will be remembered in our hearts,” the statement read.

“If we have learned anything from this tragic event, it’s that we know they left this world in a better place than it was before they were born.”

Buro and Bryan Hendry called their parents the strongest people they will ever know, saying they “strive to be even half as wonderful as them.”

“While the end of their life may have been dark, they brought light, and that light will never be extinguished from the hearts and minds of the people who knew, loved and cared so deeply about them,” the statement read.

The sons said they both “remain optimistic” about the ongoing search, despite how authorities found their boat.

“The boat itself was ransacked and everything was strewn about in the entire cabin, so clearly there was an altercation of some type that took place on the boat,” Buro told CNN Sunday. “We are concerned for their safety overall because it does appear that they were likely injured.”

Wednesday, the day the abandoned boat was discovered, was Brandel’s 71st birthday, Buro said. March 2 will be Ralph’s 67th birthday, his son Bryan Hendry told CNN.

Buro said his mother and stepfather were veteran boaters who had been planning the trip – their first cruise of the Caribbean – for years.

“They were super careful to be safe all the time,” Buro said. “Everywhere they went everything they did, safety was their top, top concern. So this unfortunate accident, I think, it came out of nowhere for them.”

The couple sold their home and bought Simplicity years ago, throwing themselves into an enthralling life on the water, he said.

“It was their home. Everything they had, they owned, was on that boat. It was their life,” he said. “Kathy worked her whole life and then retired. Ralph worked in financial services and continued to work from the boat. But really what they did was … choose a lifestyle that most of us would never imagine could be done. And they loved every minute of it and they saw many parts of the world and just lived a life of joy and love.”

Boat found abandoned by ‘good Samaritan’

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association said it was contacted Wednesday by a boater who spotted the Simplicity anchored and abandoned off the south coast of St. Vincent.

“The good Samaritan had boarded the boat and noted that the owners, Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel, were not onboard and found evidence of apparent violence,” the group said . The person also contacted the coast guard, who notified St. Vincent police, the association said.

Grenada police said the escapees were recaptured the same day by the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.

Ben Osborn, the sailing club’s president, offered his support to the families and said the violence was unheard of.

“This is a very upsetting event and details are still unconfirmed by the authorities, but this does appear to be a tragic event – our hopes and prayers are with Ralph and Kathy and the family who love them,” Osborn said in a statement . “In all my years of cruising the Caribbean, I have never heard of anything like this.”

Seasoned boaters receive outpouring of support

News of Brandel and Hendry’s disappearance has opened a floodgate of support from loved ones, church friends and boating community members who stepped forward willing to help, their families said.

“We want to reach out to the entire cruiser community to express our gratitude for everyone that worked to gather information from eyewitnesses and provide search and rescue support. It means so much to us that so many people cared for Ralph and Kathy as friends and fellow cruisers that they are willing to stop and help in whatever way possible,” Buro and Bryan Hendry said in a  statement shared by the sailing club.

They also asked that any boaters not affiliated with the official investigation stand down on their search efforts.

“The only way we feel this situation could be worse would be if anyone was hurt or endangered trying to conduct searches,” the statement read.

The couple also had close ties to their local Christian community, and a prayer service was held Saturday for them, Buro said.

A  GoFundMe campaign has been established on behalf of Nick Buro to help fund the recovery of the yacht and the couple’s belongings, funeral costs and support.

CNN’s Sharif Paget, Abel Alvarado, Chris Boyette and Jillian Sykes contributed to this report.

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2 Americans believed dead after yacht hijacked, Grenada police say

Three escaped inmates in Grenada may have stolen a yacht and killed two passengers on the boat who are believed to be American citizens, the Royal Grenada Police Force said on Thursday. The three men escaped custody on Sunday and police believe they made their way to nearby St. Vincent on a stolen boat, according to a news release the force shared on Facebook.

The three men — identified as Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 19, and Abita Stanislaus, 25 — were initially arrested in December and charged jointly with one count of robbery with violence. Mitchell also faced separate charges of one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape, two counts of indecent assault and causing harm.

They were being held at the South St. George Police Station on the small Caribbean island when they escaped. As law enforcement from Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines searched for them, evidence suggested they got on a yacht docked in St. George, officials said.

The Royal Grenada Police Force "is currently working on leads that suggest that the two occupants of the yacht may have been killed in the process," the force wrote on Facebook. "It is believed that the occupants of the yacht were American citizens."

The investigation is in its early stages and a team of senior investigators and a forensic specialist has been sent to St. Vincent, the force said.

In a separate incident, police said another suspect escaped while attending court on Wednesday and is on the run. The fugitive, identified as Levon Date, is charged in the 2023 killing of Canadian citizen Wayne Smart.

CBS News has reached out to the Royal Grenada Police Force for more information.

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Caribbean officials search for 2 people who were on yacht allegedly hijacked by 3 escaped prisoners

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Authorities in the eastern Caribbean said they were trying to locate two people believed to be U.S. citizens who were aboard a yacht that was hijacked by three escaped prisoners from Grenada.

The Royal Grenada Police Force said in a statement released Friday that they were working on leads “that suggest” the two occupants of the yacht might have been killed.

“This investigation is in its infancy stage,” police said.

The nonprofit Salty Dawg Sailing Association identified the owners as Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel. It said they were “veteran cruisers” and longtime members of the association, calling them “warmhearted and capable.” A relative of Hendry didn’t return a message seeking comment Saturday.

The association said a cruising skipper had contacted the association about a member’s yacht, Simplicity, that was found “anchored and abandoned” off a beach on the island of St. Vincent.

“The good Samaritan had boarded the boat and noted that the owners … were not onboard and found evidence of apparent violence,” the association said in a statement Thursday.

The association said Hendry and Brandel had sailed the yacht in last year’s Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua, and were spending the winter cruising in the eastern Caribbean.

“This is a very upsetting event and details are still unconfirmed by the authorities, but this does appear to be a tragic event,” said Bob Osborn, the association’s president. “In all my years of cruising the Caribbean, I have never heard of anything like this.”

Family members of those missing met with authorities in St. Vincent on Saturday, where they were seen boarding the yacht that was hijacked. It was being guarded by officials, one of whom was wearing latex gloves.

Hendry’s family issued a statement Saturday thanking police, local coast guards and all those who helped authorities gather information.

“It means so much to us that so many people cared for Ralph and Kathy as friends and fellow cruisers that they are willing to stop and help in whatever way possible,” the family said.

They also asked that all those trying to conduct independent searches to “stand down.”

“The only way we feel this situation could be worse would be if anyone was hurt or endangered trying to conduct searches,” the family said.

Authorities in Grenada said they had dispatched senior investigators and a forensic specialist to the nearby island of St. Vincent, where the escaped prisoners were arrested Wednesday.

The prisoners, ages 19, 25 and 30, were charged a couple of months ago with one count of robbery with violence. The eldest inmate also was charged with one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape and two counts of indecent assault and causing harm, police in Grenada said.

The three men escaped from their holding cell Feb. 18, according to police.

Authorities said a preliminary investigation suggested the three men seized the yacht at Grenada’s capital, St. George’s, and traveled to St. Vincent.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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Auf Weltreise Kölner Ehepaar verunglückt tödlich auf Segelyacht

Die Yacht „Escape“ des Kölner Ehepaars wurde mitten auf dem Atlantik entdeckt.

Copyright: U.S. Coast Guard

Köln/Darthmouth Cove  – Ein Ehepaar aus Köln ist bei einem Unfall mit ihrer Segelyacht auf dem Atlantischen Ozean tödlich verunglückt. Das bestätigt die „U.S. Coast Guard“, die Küstenwache der USA. Der Unfall ereignete sich laut Angaben der Behörde bereits Mitte Juni. Sie sollen von den Bermuda-Inseln nach Kanada unterwegs gewesen sein.

Die 54 Jahre alte Frau und ihr 57 Jahre alter Ehemann waren mit ihrer Segelyacht, der „Escape“, zuletzt am 9. Juni aus einem Hafen auf den Bermuda-Inseln ausgelaufen und hatten vor, nach Kanada weiterzufahren. Laut Angaben der US-Kustenwache gerieten sie am Morgen des 12. Juni vor dem Bundesstaat Massachusetts in ein schweres Unwetter.

Kölner Ehepaar verunglückt mit Segelyacht auf dem Atlantischen Ozean

Durch einen Mastbruch während des Tropensturms sei die 54-Jährige an Bord verletzt worden. Als ihr Ehemann ihr helfen wollte, hätte er ebenfalls schwere Verletzungen erlitten. Zwei Amerikaner, die ebenfalls mit auf der Yacht waren, hätten anschließend die Küstenwache alarmiert.

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Die Marine-Offiziere brachten das Kölner Ehepaar umgehend in ein Krankenhaus, konnten aber nur noch den Tod feststellen. Zehn Tage nach dem Unglück entdeckten Fischer die zurückgelassene Kölner Yacht, machten Fotos für die deutsche Versicherung. Die „Escape“ wurde anschließend in den Hafen von Darthmouth Cove im kanadischen Bundesstaat Nova Scotia gebracht.

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Die Untersuchungen der amerikanischen und deutschen Behörden zur Unfallursache dauern an. Das Schiff soll für die Dauer der Untersuchungen weiter in Darthmouth Cove bleiben. Vermutlich sorgte der Tage zuvor angekündigte Tropensturm für den Unfall mitten auf dem Atlantischen Ozean.

Das Kölner Ehepaar, dass über seine Reisen auf der Segelyacht bloggte, schrieb ihm letzten Blog-Eintrag vor dem Tod: „Der erste Tropensturm der Saison, ‚Alex‘, ist auf dem Weg zu uns. So wie es scheint, wird er genau über unser kleines Inselparadies hinwegziehen.“ (shh)

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2 Americans believed dead after 3 Grenadian escapees hijacked their yacht, police say

Three men, including an accused rapist, fled grenada in a yacht where two people aboard might have been slain, police said, by david k. li and abigail williams | nbc news • published february 23, 2024.

Three violent crime suspects might have killed two people aboard a yacht, possibly Americans, during an escape from Grenada to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, police said Thursday.

The suspects were being held at the South Saint George Police Station in Grenada when they escaped on Sunday and were recaptured on the nearby island nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Wednesday,  according to a statement  by the Royal Grenada Police Force.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines investigators believe the men arrived there on a yacht taken from a dock near Saint George, police in Grenada said.

And the "RGPF is currently working on leads that suggest that the two occupants of the yacht may have been killed in the process,"  police said .

Get Tri-state area news and weather forecasts to your inbox. Sign up for NBC New York newsletters.

The RGPF added: "It is believed that the occupants of the yacht were American citizens."

“U.S. authorities are coordinating with local law enforcement officials on this incident," a State Department spokesperson told NBC News on Friday. “We do not comment on ongoing investigations.”

The welfare of U.S. citizens abroad is the State Department's highest priority, the official said.

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“We stand ready to provide appropriate assistance to U.S. citizens in need and to their families,” the spokesperson said.

Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 19, and Abita Stanislaus, 25, had all been charged with one count of robbery with violence, police said.

Mitchell had been additionally charged with a count of rape, three counts of attempted rape, two counts of indecent assault and causing harm, police said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

This story first appeared on NBCNews.com . More from NBC News:

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The following account was written by veteran cruiser Sheldon Stuchell based on reports from the two crew aboard the cruising boat Escape and official Coast Guard reports. While the incident and the loss of the skipper and his wife, Germans Karl and Annamarie Frank, are alarming, we bring you this report not to be sensational but because the detail that Sheldon is able to provide shows just how quickly a situation at sea can go from normal to a tragedy in a split second, even to experienced sailors who were doing everything in a seamanlike fashion. At the end of this story, we offer Lessons Learned from the two crew aboard Escape and I will posit some thoughts. But, we will not second guess the skipper and his wife; they were experienced sailors who knew what they were doing.  GD

This is the personal accounting of the tragedy on S/V Escape by the crew.

On the 2 nd of May, 2022, the owners of S/V Escape , a CNB 66 yacht, posted on a crew service web-site, looking for crew to sail with them from Bermuda to Halifax. The responding crew (1 USCG licensed captain; 1 with over fifteen years of sailing experience) had met Annemarie and Karl the year before at a boat show and responded as interested in being crew.

After exchanging emails, and a few video chats, the volunteer crew were invited to help crew the 4-5 day passage to Nova Scotia.

Escape had sailed to Bermuda from St. Martin days later than initially anticipated – delays waiting for parts and servicing the watermaker. This meant they missed an opportunity to participate in a Salty Dawg Spring Rally and would be sailing as an individual boat.

After tropical storm Alex had passed through, there was a narrow weather window between two low pressure systems that Karl and his weather router identified as safe to sail from Bermuda to Nova Scotia. Karl decided on Tuesday evening to set sail Thursday morning informing the crew they needed to arrive in Bermuda by Wednesday. This was a shift from their original plan to have a few day sails around Bermuda to gain familiarity with the vessel and her very particular systems before heading out on the offshore passage.

The crew flew to Bermuda arriving midday Wednesday, the 8 th of June. Karl gave the crew (designated as 2 nd mate and 3 rd mate) a tour of the vessel both top side and below, including locations of all safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, life raft, jacklines, EPIRB, sat phone, sail knife, med kits, electric panels, etc.). He showed the crew locations on the boat he considered not safe, including the area directly around the mainsail sheet attachment forward of the dual helm stations.

Escape pulled up anchor, departing Bermuda precisely as planned at 1000h June 9 th . After leaving the channel, they raised the mainsail and genoa in 15 knots of wind, proceeding to sail due North. The 66 ft sloop had a powerful sail plan supported by a carbon fiber mast and carbon fiber V-shaped furling boom. The first 24 hours they made almost 200 nautical miles of progress sailing deep down wind around 150/130 TWA/AWA. One day done, another 3 to 4 days to Nova Scotia.

Given the sail angle, a dyneema preventer was employed and ran back to a winch in the cockpit. For training purposes, the 2 nd mate disengaged the autopilot for a couple of hours during the first day to get a good feel for Escape’s dual-rudder helm. That night, when Karl was on watch, some squalls quickly came through and Escape was rounded up.

The 3rd mate assisted in getting all hands on deck per Karl’s command. Karl assigned stations and described the order of operations to reef with Annemarie and the 2 nd Mate. This was their first time to reef as a team, it went smoothly and quickly. Annemarie was assigned to the mainsheet, and the 2 nd Mate assigned to the helm for steering, while Karl would control the mainsail furling. The mainsheet was anchored to the cockpit deck forward of the steering wheels, up to the boom, and finally back down from the boom to a block that led to a central dedicated electric winch.

A few hours later, despite Escape being stable, the team put in a second reef as winds were steady at 25 knots. It was raining hard with distant lightning. Again, the reefing procedure was well managed without any issues. Note: to reef the mainsail, Karl had to go forward to Escape’s mast where a powered winch controlled the main halyard, and where there were electric and hydraulic button controls for the in-boom mandrel and vang. Similar to most sailboats, Escape had to be turned into the wind to raise or furl the mainsail. The 2 nd Mate helmed during each of the reefing operations. Annemarie managed the main sheet.

Conditions during the next 24 hours were milder, winds between 10-18 knots. Sailing downwind even with full sails in these conditions, required Escape to motor for several hours. Karl continued to download weather from PredictWind via IridiumGo and communicated via email with his weather router in Germany. Two and a half days in, the weather and passage were exactly what was predicted. Escape was safely ahead of schedule.

The evening of 11 th of  June, weather reporting indicated that by midnight or a bit after 0100h Escape would need to begin motoring for the final leg of her passage to Canso, Nova Scotia. Winds were predicted to drop to 12 knots continuing to fall further overnight.

After sunset, the 2 nd Mate took the 2100-0100h watch. With winds 18-20 knots Escape was comfortably making 9 knots under full sails. Karl went below to rest for his 0100-0500h watch. Around 2200h, winds began to pick up to 25 knots with gusts near 30 knots. Escape was heeling, more rudder was required to maintain steerage. The 2 nd Mate, 3 rd Mate, and Annemarie agreed that they should wake Karl to come and reef. Karl looked at conditions and decided to put in one reef. They turned Escape into the wind and reefed smoothly as they had now done at least 5 times. Karl went back to his cabin to rest, and Escape sailed on for another 30 minutes to an hour.

Nearing midnight, contrary to predictions and weather reports, they ran into a storm about 350 Nautical Miles due South of Nova Scotia in the Gulf Stream. The winds steadily increased to 30-35 knots sustained. Sea state worsened with waves around 6 meters. Escape was surfing down waves at 13 knots. Hard rain began. Once again, the 2 nd Mate, 3 rd Mate, and Annemarie summoned Karl. As he came up on deck, a 40-knot gust began to round Escape up into the wind. The 2 nd Mate put the wheel hard over all the way trying to maintain a course. Escape was heeled over, her rail near the water, she was barely holding course.

Karl called out for a second reef. The engine was started, everyone took their normal stations. Karl gave the go signal and the 2 nd Mate headed Escape into the wind. Waves now nearing 8 meters were crashing over the deck, her bow was rising high then pitching down. Gulf Stream waves were coming from different directions in the confused seas. Karl was at the controls starting to furl in the Genoa before attending to the main. Annemarie was behind the mainsheet winch, central in the cockpit just ahead of the twin wheels. Annemarie readied the mainsheet in preparation for furling the main. As Escape came into the wind, the 2 nd Mate noticed the boom was not centered per usual. During every other reef, the mainsheet was properly tensioned, centering it as Escape turned into the wind. The boom began to swing with the waves. Karl yelled instructions to Annemarie in German (the crew were not German speakers). Karl left the Genoa control lines and ran to the mainsheet winch to help. Annemarie stepped out of the way towards the portside winches.

As Escape was pitching while pointed into the wind her boom swung from starboard all the way to port. The mainsheet struck Annemarie across her back, knocking her to the cockpit sole on the outside edge of the cockpit seating. As the 3 rd Mate crawled to help her, Karl, without hesitation, ran to Annemarie. The 2 nd Mate yelled to Karl that the boom was swinging back. Escape’s boom swung back, the mainsheet caught and threw Karl to the starboard side, shattering his left leg below the knee, with compound fractures. Within 10 seconds, both of them were seriously injured. As the boom continued to swing, Escape’s mainsheet snapped, and her boom was completely free. At some point the preventer had snapped as well.

Crawling to stay low, the 3 rd Mate laid Annemarie flat, pulling her out of harm’s way into the cockpit seating area, trying to keep her still and flat for stability. Loose and tattered sheets were whipping all around. The 3 rd Mate then helped pull Karl further from the danger area, and together they made more room to get Annemarie closer and more protected. The 3 rd Mate immediately started first aid for Karl grabbing a tether off a lifejacket using it to tie a tourniquet above his knee trying to staunch the bleeding. The 3 rd Mate hurried below for medical kits and the EPIRB.

After setting off the EPIRB, the 3 rd Mate proceeded to bandage Karl’s lower leg. Next, MAYDAY calls for help over VHF channel 16 were issued. Seeing no one on AIS and getting no response, the 3 rd Mate retrieved the satellite phone, handing it to Karl who called for help while the 3 rd mate continued radioing over VHF in the event any vessels not appearing on AIS might be in the area.

When Karl made contact, he said they were speaking English passing the satellite phone to the 3 rd Mate who managed all communications via the companionway from this point forward. Contact was made with stations initially in Germany, then Halifax, and finally Boston, who worked together relaying information. A request for immediate medical evacuation for the injured was made. A schedule was established for routine check-ins and updates – sea state, wind speeds, boat speed, coordinates, medical, and situational updates were regularly given.

All the while, Escape was out of control. Her genoa and mainsail flapping wildly. The swinging boom started losing loft, first grazing the bimini, ultimately crushing and buckling the bimini’s metal frame. When the boom swung to port and slammed into the shrouds, the 2 nd Mate quickly turned Escape east to pin the mainsail/boom against the spreaders and shrouds. Now running with the wind behind them, the end of her boom occasionally submerged in waves throwing it off the shrouds only to slam back. The 2 nd Mate was able to gain some stability running downwind, finding the autopilot could sometimes hold for a minute or two until waves rocked Escape and manual piloting was required to prevent an uncontrolled jibe.

The 2 nd Mate crawled to the starboard side winches managing to furl the genoa that was now ripped in several places. Returning immediately to Escape’s helm, steering downwind for almost 3 hours lying prone, looking up at the wind indicators atop the mast. The 2 nd Mate periodically helped the 3 rd Mate tend to Annemarie and Karl. The heavy rain, winds, and seas continued.

Escape was now almost 400 nautical miles offshore, running at 10 knots with the wind and Gulf Stream pushing her further and further East. The 3 rd Mate was in regular contact by satellite phone with US Coast Guard and the Canadian Coast Guard in Halifax trying to arrange a rescue. With Escape’s current position so far from land or a rescue ship, Escape was beyond the range and capabilities of an immediate rescue, especially the needed helicopters.

The rescue organizations jointly implemented a plan that was born from serendipity. A USCG Cutter ship just happened to be off the Northeast US shore, but was more than a day away from Escape , which was too far away. The ship also happened to have a good supply of jet fuel aboard. The ship moved and relocated to serve as a lily pad for a helicopter to be able to safely make it out to Escape by refueling in both directions.

While the Cutter navigated to the ideal coordinates, a USCG rescue helicopter flew from their land base to the USCG Cutter with two divers aboard. The helicopter landed on the USCG ship, refueled, then flew directly toward Escape , a process they would repeat on the return trip to land. With every update the 3 rd Mate continued to inform Annmarie and Karl that they were one step closer to rescue.

The Crew put another tourniquet on Karl’s leg using a sail tie. They agreed to raise the leg a bit higher onto an additional cushion, adding cushions around him for comfort and stabilization. They also put cushions around Annemarie to stabilize her body with concern of a spinal injury. The 3 rd Mate kept supplying Karl and Annemarie with water, covered them with blankets, and gathered whatever they requested both topside and down below to be included in their ditch bag. Karl continued to provide guidance as he could. The 3 rd Mate kept them both alert, hydrated, aware of efforts and communicating.

Taking advantage of a brief lull as winds dropped to 15 knots around 0200h, the 2 nd Mate attempted to reduce the mainsail while continuing to sail downwind. The 2 nd Mate crawled to Escape’s mast and tried to furl the mainsail. There was too much wind pressure, it jammed in the boom furler after a meter or so and could not be lowered further. Hanging on the mainsail, about another meter of sail was pulled down, significantly reducing sail area. The 2 nd Mate returned to Escape’s helm, and proceeded to advise everyone to hold on, that he was going to come into the wind and attempt to secure the free boom. The 3 rd Mate braced and protected Annemarie and Karl.

Using the engine full throttle, turning the boat and pointing into the wind, the boom often stayed aft and sometimes swung slowly by the midline. After several attempts, the 2 nd Mate was able to thread a heavier line from a winch, through the boom loop, quickly lashing the line down to secure Escape’s boom in a centered position, adding additional lines to reinforce it.

At this point Escape was tenuously under control.  They changed course to motor West towards land and help. The 3 rd Mate called into USCG Boston via Halifax informing them that the boom was under control and requesting a heading West.

A small victory quickly dissipated as the 2 nd Mate noticed a line snaking behind Escape in her prop wash. Shifting the engine to neutral, the 2 nd Mate grabbed a boat hook, clipped his tether to an outboard connection, and leaned off the aft deck, fishing out the line. Tying the bitter end to the fairlead and calling for the 3 rd Mate to assist at the helm, as the 2 nd Mate headed to the foredeck. They identified the line as a genoa sheet and pulled the line forward safely away from the propeller. Both crew returned to their respective stations and roles. The crew continued wearing life jackets and were clipped in with tethers at all times when they were on deck and at helm stations.

A USCG C130 airplane was sent in advance of the rescue helicopter and arrived around 0600h to establish clear communications via VHF between Escape and the rescue helicopter. Instructions were given to clear the deck and information was shared regarding sea state, wind speed, state of the boat, boom, mainsail, and the injured. The USCG helicopter arrived around 0630h.

The engine was halted for safety of the divers and the transom was lowered. The first diver dropped from the helicopter, swam over and boarded at the transom, immediately beginning medical care. The 3 rd Mate assisted the first diver, while the 2 nd Mate assisted with boarding the second diver.

Litter rescue baskets were lowered from the helicopter. Karl and Annemarie were given medical attention, secured into rescue baskets, and lifted to the helicopter. The crew chose to remain on Escape so Annemarie and Karl could be attended to and rushed to care without delay.

Once the helicopter cleared, the crew were instructed to proceed on a heading of 300 degrees to meet the US Coast Guard Cutter. En-route the winds came down and the sea state settled as originally predicted — albeit many hours later.

The crew slowly and incrementally increased speed to what was safe given conditions and continued towards the Cutter’s heading. The 2 nd Mate went below to rest while the 3 rd Mate took first shift at Escape’s helm, trading off as the day went on, continuing incremental reports to SARS USCG Boston and CCG Halifax. They were informed by satellite phone around 1545h that Karl and Annemarie had not survived. The crew was told Annemarie died upon arrival at the USCG Cutter, and Karl died during helicopter transport from the Cutter to the hospital. Both were pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital in Massachusetts.

The crew rendezvoused about 350 nautical miles offshore with the USCG Cutter, at approximately 1645h. Escape was boarded, inspected, and secured. Crew were transferred to the Cutter and attended to by the Ship’s Medic. Escape was abandoned at sea as her crew were not in any condition to safely deliver her to port. The Cutter met with a smaller transfer boat about 30 hours later to transfer the crew to the USCG Boston facility for debriefing and interviews. They were dropped off at a hotel shortly before 0200h the morning of 14 June.

Escape was later found adrift by a crew from Publico, Nova Scotia, hired by Leeway Marine of Dartmouth, and brought to Dartmouth Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Lessons Learned

The two crew on Escape offer the following observations in the aftermath of the tragic incident.

It is important to reiterate that it remains unknown exactly what failed. Why was the mainsheet not tensioned? Perhaps the preventer got tangled and fouled the mainsheet, or the electric mainsheet winch failed. We will never know the answer. We can, however, try to learn from this tragedy by summarizing a few key lessons, which may not have been the cause but nonetheless may provide insights into good practices.

Knowledge, familiarity, and experience.

Offshore, especially short-handed, crew should understand how to perform all anticipated and unanticipated maneuvers. Here, the captain was the only crew member who raised or lowered the mainsail. The operation was complicated as it involved a large boom furler with a hidden electric mandrel, a main halyard controlled by an electric winch on the deck near the 100 foot mast, and a hydraulic boom vang with controls at the helm and mast. The main halyard was secured at the mast with an unusual braided textile constrictor clutch, think toy finger cuffs, instead of a traditional clutch or even halyard car on a vertical track. None of the electric/hydraulic buttons or halyards were labeled. On offshore passages, all members of the crew, regardless of their experience, should at the very least be given instruction, if not practice, in how to operate the main controls. Moreover, a language known by all crew should be agreed upon and used during passages. Interacting with the chartplotter and instruments and the satellite phone was difficult for the non-German speaking crew especially when quick actions were required. Understanding what Karl was yelling to Annemarie at that critical moment could perhaps have made a difference, at the very least may have provided an explanation for what went wrong.

Weather amplifies challenges at sea .

Although the crew and boat handled the stormy conditions well the previous night before the tragedy, the dark, sideways rain, howling winds, and waves rocking the boat made every maneuver more challenging. Visibility, the ability to hear one another, and move about the deck with ease all become more difficult. Despite the anticipated weather, the old adage to reef early, especially at night, rings true as ever. The cost of slowing down and later shaking out a reef is nothing compared to the risk of placing crew in danger while being overpowered in the middle of the night. Additionally, in calm seas pointing into the wind will largely center the boom by itself. However, when large waves pitch the boat up and then down, it only takes one big wave for the boom to swing wildly with incredible force. In these conditions, a mistake as simple as standing where one knows is unsafe, if only for a couple of seconds, can be deadly.

Offshore sailing comes with additional risks .

Most of the time sailing offshore is no different than coastal sailing. However, when medical issues arise the distance one is from shore assistance is critical. Sailing on your own, it could take days to reach shore for help. Rescue helicopters have a range of about 500 nautical miles. Specifically, they carry enough fuel to go 250 miles offshore, hover for about 30 minutes for a rescue, then return the 250 miles. Beyond this limit, one should understand that they are on their own, unless part of a rally. Extra safety precautions that one does not normally employ when coastal should be enforced for all crew. This not only includes life jackets and jacklines, but more conservative sailing practices. Training in first aid and CPR, as the crew had, should be standard. Comprehensive first aid supplies and manuals, and pre-packed bags with essentials (e.g., passports, prescriptions, etc.) should be easily accessible. The ability to communicate with shore for help via satellite phone was instrumental in coordinating rescue plans, as was the ability to recharge the phone for prolonged use over many hours.

Further Thoughts from George Day

Sheldon’s report is detailed and thorough.  A few thoughts:

First, local weather forecasting for boats at sea, particularly in waters adjacent to strong currents like the Gulf Steam, is problematical. Local weather events may not show up in the data used by the weather models, or may show up late. Keeping a close eye on local information, wind direction and strength, barometer, air temperature, water temperature and radar can fill in any blanks in the models’ forecasts.

Second, a mainsheet on a 66-foot modern sloop with a large mainsail is, as everyone on Escape was aware, a potential threat to the crew, particularly in a rig design that places the anchor for the mainsheet in the middle of the cockpit. Rigging a preventer, as was done, is the prudent action. In configurations such as Escape’s , double preventers or a Boom Brake, can add a belt-and-suspenders redundancy. There is a reason so many modern cruising boats have mid-boom sheeting.

Third, in-boom furling is a great modern innovation in mainsail handling. One of its benefits is supposed to be that if the boom system fails, you can still lower and reef or dowse the sail. Yet, in-boom systems can be finicky, and riggers will often note that the systems are best used by experienced sailors who understand all of the forces at work when handling big mainsails. Certainly, Karl and Annamarie met that standard. The boom is dependent on an exact angle to the mast for reefing and furling and is held in place by an adjustable vang. If the vang is compromised, the system won’t work. Using a topping lift on the end of the boom can be, once again, a belt-and-suspenders redundancy.

Karl and Annamarie were much loved and respected in the cruising community and by their friends and family at home in Germany. We are diminished by their loss.

Author: George Day

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Man dies after falling from yacht in English Channel during historic race

It is believed the sailor, who is from the Greater Manchester area, was taking part in the Royal Escape Race, a historic yacht race from Shoreham-by-Sea to the Normandy port of Fecamp.

Saturday 27 May 2023 16:10, UK

A man has died after falling off a yacht in the English Channel.

The incident happened in waters off the northwest of France at around 2pm on Friday.

A nearby fishing vessel went to the scene to assist French rescue teams, while the UK Coastguard offered communications support.

Coastguard said the victim - who has not been identified but is from the Greater Manchester area - was taken to a hospital in the port city of Le Havre by a French helicopter.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Sussex Police were made aware of a man having sadly died in the English Channel after falling from a yacht in French waters in the early hours of Saturday morning.

"The incident is understood to have happened at around 2pm on Friday.

"Police are supporting the coastguard by offering liaison with the man's family and will continue to offer support to the relevant agencies while the full circumstances of the situation are established."

It is reported another sailor from the same vessel was rescued safely by French lifeboat crews.

Yacht club 'deeply saddened'

It is believed the sailor who died was taking part in the Royal Escape Race, a historic yacht race from Shoreham-by-Sea to the Normandy port of Fecamp.

Launched in 1977 to mark the Queen's silver jubilee, it is now among the oldest offshore sailing races in the country.

In a message posted on its Facebook page, Sussex Yacht Club said: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our fellow sailors yesterday.

"Sussex Yacht Club are working with the police, Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch to assist with their enquiries.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and supporting our sailors at this difficult time."

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