Update on the Demise of ‘Aequus’
On Friday we shared the story of S/V Aequus, the sailboat that ran aground in Paradise Cove, Malibu, on July 4. At that time it appeared the beautiful vessel was lost to the shore. Not so. A team of rescuers from TowBoatUS managed to salvage Aequus and tow her to Marina del Rey. The team then shared the following photos and information on the TowBoatUS Ventura & Channel Islands Facebook page:
“Early Sunday morning, this 58-ft sailboat went aground after having an anchor failure in Paradise Cove, Malibu. Upon arrival, the vessel was sitting on a rock reef with evidence of hull damage. The vessel was de-fueled by Patriot Environmental Services and debris was picked up from the beach.”
“Working with the tide cycles and coordinating with all involved parties, her removal was planned for Thursday.”
“At 7 p.m., after careful planning, rigging, and engineering, our plan to float the vessel off the beach came to fruition and the S/V Aequus went for her final sail out to sea and into Marina del Rey for haulout.”
Aequus was hauled out to reveal the full extent of her condition.
A big thank-you and congratulations to the crew at TowBoatUS Ventura & Channel Islands for a safe recovery. And a big thank-you to David Gorney for passing along the update.
We also received this video taken by Josh Kerwien @thequalifiedcaptain for another view of the damage:
AKA total loss. Youtube has some terrific vids on how to properly anchor a boat.
Wow. Is that economically repairable or just cleanup and salvage gear at this point?
Having sailed for many years in the South Pacific (Fr Polynesia, mostly), we’ve seen the aftermath of several boat/reef collisions. It is jaw-dropping how quickly waves and tide can grind up the hull of even the sturdiest boat. Heartbreaking.
This boat owner may want to consider taking my Advanced Anchoring Workshop which raises the level of confidence AND actually shows that your anchor has firmly set! Ron -A Confirmed Anchorholic(TM)
Looks like, sadly, a total loss. Can only imagine repairs would be too great for the insurance company to go forward with them. Hope I’m wrong. Can’ anchor in open seaways. Too unpredictable.
Does anyone know the specifics of the “anchor failure”?
My best guess would be the swivel.
Why is this vessel flying Mexican flag on her starboard spreader? I ask this question before and got no response. Is it possible this boat arrived from Mexico. There is nothing about the crew or her owner in this report nor in the previous where an individual described her harrowing efforts at scale the rock so she could get as close as she could to do a fair well hula for the grounded boat. And, nothing about the crew.
Worst fear realized. Looking at what’s left of that hull, I need something stronger than coffee.
If, in the marina they laugh at your oversized anchor, then you know you can sleep well at night!