Dan Cianci was lost overboard off the coast of New Jersey in November 2004. “Snow Lion” had been donated to the Naval Academy. A crew came to Greenwich, Ct. to pick up the boat and take it to Annapolis. In the early morning hours off New Jersey, Dan went overboard and they were not able to get back to him.
Just writing the story tightens my chest. Dan had been on my watch for the 2003 trans-atlantic race, the fastnet race, 2004 Bermuda race, and all the shorter races in between. We had earned each others trust and friendship.
I think about Dan & the numerous mitigating circumstances that lead to this tragedy on that fateful morning at 0400 18 miles outside the Delaware Bay in gusts to 40, 10′ breaking waves, 40°f air with rain.
RIP Dan Cianci.