6.28- That Boat Won't Float...

The annual Oriental Cup Regatta race was held today, despite a small craft advisory. A squall came through the area around the time the race was finishing up and boats were headed back to Oriental Harbor and Whittaker Creek, bringing gusts up to 50 knots, rain and plenty of lightning.

One boat was struck by lightning, and another boat (not in the race) capsized and sank in the channel into Oriental Harbor. Captain and crew got off safely with the help of a sailboat returning from the race.

These pictures were taken between about 3:15, soon after the squall passed through, and about 8:00 pm, when the boat was finally floated and towed to Whittaker Creek.

The salvage effort by "Tow Boat U.S." involved the Oreintal-based Tow Boat U.S. team, and a Tow Boat U.S. crew (diving team) from Beaufort.

The salvagers first cut the halliard and lowered the sail, then dragged the boat away from the channel and into shallower water. Dive team then installed a bladder under the boat, filled it with air, and began pumping water out of the boat until it floated. All of this happened with steadily increasing winds (note the chop in the pictures) of 15-20 mph.

This being Oriental, news of the sunken sailboat traveled fast, and there were plenty of spectators on the Dinghy Dock, the end of Wall Street and (pictured here) on the Point Pride Seafood Co. property.

Several boats in the anchorage dropped second hooks as the SE winds continued to blow straight into the harbor at a fairly steady 15-20 knots.


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