THE QUESTION IS ANSWERED?

Do you suppose the driver was texting? I know life can be strange, but really, run into an island?
A US Sailing Independent Review Panel has come to a conclusion regarding the cause of accident. Aegean, a 37-foot Hunter 376 sailboat, was destroyed during the race a few miles offshore near Mexico’s Coronado Islands.

Aegean Yacht’s GPS track – Newport to Ensenada 2012  © Spot LLC

Following extensive research, the Panel is confident that a grounding on North Coronado Island is the cause of accident.

REVIEW PANEL MAKES DISCOVERY IN RACE TRAGEDY
Portsmouth, R.I. (June 12, 2012) – A US Sailing Independent Review Panel has
come to a conclusion regarding the cause of accident during the 2012 Newport
to Ensenada Race that resulted in the deaths of four sailors on April 28.
Aegean, a 37-foot Hunter 376 sailboat, was destroyed during the race a few
miles offshore near Mexico’s Coronado Islands. Following extensive research,
the Panel is confident that a grounding on North Coronado Island is the
cause of accident.

The Panel gathered information from race organizers, collected data from the
Aegean’s track during the Race, and met with the US Coast Guard San Diego
Sector’s investigation team. The Panel came to a conclusion after reviewing
the evidence that was assembled, including material from the tracking device
on board Aegean, and information provided by race organizers of the Newport
Ocean Sailing Association. The Panel will continue their efforts to document
the accident, draw conclusions, share the lessons learned and offer
recommendations to the sailing community. A full report from US Sailing is
expected by end of July.

The members of the Independent Review Panel are Chairperson, Bruce Brown
(Costa Mesa, Calif.), John Winder (Annisquam, Mass.), Alan Andrews (Corona
del Mar, Calif.), Ed Adams (Middletown, R.I.), and Alan McMillan (Pensacola,
Fla.). The Offshore Special Regulations Consultant on the panel is Evans
Starzinger (Milford, Conn). The Safety at Sea Committee Chair and Review
Panel Liaison is Chuck Hawley (Santa Cruz, Calif.). Medical Advisors are Dr.
Michael Jacobs (Vineyard Haven, Mass.), Dr. Kent Benedict (Aptos, Calif.)
and Dr. Steven Shea (Long Beach, Calif.). Jim Wildey (Annapolis, Md.)
advises on investigation procedures and formats. — Full story at:
http://tinyurl.com/6pyaunf