"We were reaching in 20-22 knots in somewhat lumpy seas, uncomfortable conditions, but safe and manageable," wrote Marce Schultz of the Annapolis-based 40-ft Manta cat Escape Velocity. "Suddenly I heard a loud twang and looked out the window to see our starboard shroud fall down in a big coil." She and her husband Jack both jumped into action immediately, dropping sails, tightening the windward running back, and trying to secure a spare halyard as a temporary shroud. But despite their best efforts the whole rig came down a few minutes later, falling headfirst into the drink, with the boom hanging up on the only starboard-side stanchion that remained standing. 

Marce and her husband Jack had departed Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Archipelago four days earlier en route to the Marquesas, as members of the loosely formed Pacific Puddle Jump rally. Their having bought the fractional-rigged cat two years ago, this cruise across the Pacific was to be the realization of a 20-year dream. Despite the couple’s exhaustive efforts to save the boom and jib, they ultimately had to let the entire rig go. After taking stock of their options, a 2,600-mile trip to the Marquesas or 400 miles back to the Galapagos, they reluctantly turned into the prevailing wind and set a course back to that remote Ecuadorian archipelago under diesel power. The cat’s fuel capacity gives her a range of approximately 1,000 miles. Presumably they will refuel in the islands, then head back to Panama for repairs.

"It’s been 24 hours since our sudden and shocking dismasting," the couple posted recently on their blog via HF radio email. "We are in a daze of six-hour watches as we slowly motor back to Santa Cruz Island. . . We both agree this is the most uncomfortable ride we’ve ever experienced on a boat. The seas are confused and big, causing rolling and lurching like we’ve never seen before." After studying the fallen shroud, they surmised: "What broke was the t-ball fitting that attached to the mast. Snapped off. This wasn’t metal fatigue or poor tuning. It was a defective part." They had recently replaced all standing rigging. 

We are happy to report that in their most recent post, Marce and Jack sound upbeat, considering fun ways to pass the time until they restart their Pacific cruise next year. The previous owners completed a circumnavigation on this boat, then named Chocobo, in 2012. 

Those new to the cruising scene are often deeply impressed by the supportive nature of sailing communities, especially in Mexico — and particularly in times of need. That observation was well illustrated by both cruisers and marine business people in La Paz recently, in the aftermath of a tragic dinghy accident that ultimately caused its victim, John Spicher of the Anacortes, WA-based Coast 34 Time Piece to lose his lower left leg and foot.

As reported earlier, Spicher was attempting to help the owner of a runaway dinghy, whose driver had fallen out without wearing a kill cord, when Spicher was struck multiple times by the high-revving outboard.  

Jeanne Walker of the La Paz-based Eagle writes: "John Spicher, who now calls La Paz, Mexico home, returned after being gone for two months. . . John’s injuries required medical air evacuation to San Diego and ultimately the decision to amputate his lower left leg." (See her full account of the accident here.)

"As John has been living in the La Paz area since the 2011 Baja Ha-Ha, he no longer carried US medical insurance. The cruising community in La Paz rallied around and held several fundraisers for John, raising close to $9,000. At the time of the accident, John’s boat was in the city anchorage. It was moved to Marina Palmira. The marina pitched in with one month’s free moorage and a discount for several additional months.

"John will be receiving his first prosthesis shortly. After a bit of time visiting family and friends in the States, he plans to return to La Paz and get back to sailing in the Sea of Cortez." 

Spicher has lived aboard Time Piece for the past 14 years. While participating in the 2011 Baja Ha-Ha rally, he won the Burrito Division, and earned the designation of "soul sailor" for having sailed the entire route. 

If you’d like to help John out with his enormous medical expenses, donations can be made at PayPal via [email protected].