Heavy weather and boats

While there is a lot of history behind sailing crews spinning yarns about the great seas they encounter, recent news suggest the Sea Dragon may have been straight with us :)

This just in on the news wires. A 680ft (207m) cruise ship was just slammed by 10m+ waves in the Med. "The ship's owner and operator, Louis Cruise Lines, said the vessel was struck Wednesday by three "abnormally high" waves more than 33 feet (10 meters) high that broke glass windshields in the forward section. Two people died and 14 were slightly hurt, the company said." (Yahoo News source)

Ironically, despite their size and bulk, many "cruise ships" are not that capable in heavy weather. Unlike past "ocean liners" these ships have alot of freeboard (high sides) that make them vulnerable to rolling and present large areas that take such large waves broadside. Their design can also be more vulnerable - with walls of glass windows and exposed decks. In comparison, Sea Dragon may be tiny, but she is more like a heavily armor-plated piece of driftwood that moves with the sea rather than against it.

We don't like to see any accidents at sea, particularly fatal ones like this. However, in every one there is learning for the rest of us.

Ron Ritter