Two sailors have tragically died during the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, continuing the event's dark legacy. The fatalities occurred after both men were struck by their vessel’s boom, the long pole at the bottom of the sail. The incidents, involving the vessels Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline, mark the first deaths since 1998 during the prestigious ocean race.
According to New South Wales state police, the first incident was reported just before midnight, resulting in the death of 65-year-old Nick Smith, who hailed from South Australia. He was competing on the Bowline for the fifth time when he was struck. Despite the attempts of fellow crew members to perform CPR, he could not be revived.
Shortly thereafter, at around 2:30 AM, Roy Quaden, aged 55 and from Western Australia, also fell victim to the same fate on the Flying Fish Arctos. Quaden had been enduring the challenging sea conditions when he suffered a significant head injury due to the violently swinging boom. Superintendent Joseph McNulty of the Marine Area Command stated, “It was moving violently through the night with challenging sea conditions, and a crew member suffered a significant head injury.”
The sailing community has expressed its sorrow over the losses. David Jacobs, vice commodore at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, lamented, “The sailing community is a very close community, and there are about a thousand sailors on the water for this race. To lose two like this is just devastating.” He added, “Everyone is devastated. It is a terrible tragedy.”
This year's race was preemptively marked by bad weather. With rough seas, many yachts had retirements. The historical weight of the Sydney to Hobart was inevitable to mention; the harrowing 1998 race still looms large, where six sailors lost their lives amid storms and waves up to 20 meters high. Back then, only 44 of the 115 boats completed the race, with many forced to turn back to avoid catastrophe.
The similarities of this year’s events to 1998 are staggering. Smith’s incident occurred around 30 nautical miles east/north-east of Batemans Bay, not far from Quaden’s death, which occurred similarly at around the same distance but south-east of Ulladulla. Historical parallels draw attention to the race's dangerous nature and the inherent risks sailors face.
Jacobs remarked on the need for investigation and improvements. He indicated, “We always want to improve safety wherever we can. So we will do an investigation and if there’s something boats can do to try and prevent this happening, we will implement it.” This reiterates the commitment within the sailing community to uphold safety as key moving forward.
The day after the tragedies, reports indicated at least 16 boats had retired from the race, with worsening predictions of conditions due to anticipated strong winds reaching up to 40 knots. Competitors were advised to prepare for another challenging night at sea as they navigated the notorious Bass Strait.
Veteran sailor John 'Steamer' Stanley, who experienced the horrific 1998 race, recalled how deafening and terrifying the conditions were back then. His insights about the extreme nature of sailing resonate painfully now as another chapter of tragedy opens. He noted sobering experiences from the past, underscoring the importance of community and the need for safety protocols.
Despite advancements made since the 1998 race, the tragic outcomes have bruised the collective psyche of the sailing community. The recent fatalities serve as reminders of the potential perils present, even with preparation and caution. Sailing during the Sydney to Hobart is not just about competition, but also about storied tradition and the bonds formed through shared experiences, whether joyous or somber.
Both Bowline and Flying Fish Arctos have been confiscated for investigation purposes, and authorities continue to gather evidence related to the incidents. Crew members of both boats could face interviews as the investigation proceeds to understand the factors leading up to the tragedies.
Looking forward, sailors will continue to follow the race, sharing the joy of competition, tempered by the somber reality of recent events. The sense of camaraderie remains strong, with the hope of safety improvement and the desire to honor those lost through diligence and care for one another.
