Rcc alameda has requested assistance with an overdue bolo for sv ocean bound on passage from mazatlan, mexico. the sv left on tuesday april 04, 2023 and was enroute to cabo mexico for the evening. it then had planned to head north to san diego, california., the sv is a 45 foot la fitte with a black hull and with a red stripe. all vessels are requested to keep a sharp lookout and make all reports to the uscg., on board the sv are kerry o’brien, frank o’brien and bill gross., rcc alameda, 510-437-3701, [email protected].
From Boat Watch Facebook Group
View All Archived Reports
"Winds potentially over 30 knots and seas 15 to 20, maybe more, feet at the time of their voyage,”
I did that on a Lafitte 44 and it wasn’t remarkable. Something must have gone wrong.
Following, with hope. The report did not state direction of the wind. While that much is never welcome, the relative direction, obviously, means a lot. Sooo many question.
Update 4/16/2023 from melissa spicuzza Ocean Bound and her crew have not been located. USCG have ended their search flights of the area. They do have a ship returning to Southern California from Cabo that is searching. The USCG forensics for cell phones, GSP for apps they may be using, etc. Have not produced any results. The Mexican Navy continues to search, using the drift projections. However, they will be scaling back operations. What we do know. There is almost 100 years of combined sailing experience on Ocean Bound. Bill is a mechanic by trade and can fix just about anything. Kerry and Frank are tough folks. The hope is that they are just cruising along, heading back to San Diego, and that they will roll in tired and saying we overreacted. Probably a bit embarrassed, too, from all the attention. Both families have been speaking with multiple news agencies to get the word out to as many people as we can. However, we are all emotionally exhausted. Personally, I don't think I can talk to anymore news people. We have received a massive out pouring of love, prayers, and good vibes. Keep them coming! The sailing/boating community is a tight knit group that always looks out for each other, and we are so grateful for each and everyone of you! I have talked to people all over the US and Mexico. They are all on the lookout for Ocean Bound.
Did they have EPIRB or raft?
sorry for posting 2 times in a row. all our armchair captaining is fine BUT does not help find my friends. please keep eyes open if you are in our general part of pacific ocean. 3 or so weeks ago we hear of a boat hit by whale and sunk ..was kp 44. gone in 15 minutes. there was a supposed mayday just after these left mazatlan. not recorded by rescate. only heard by people standing onthe dock the boat departed. they are using iphones for nav. there have been no pings since april for any of the three fones. frankie was due at work today. guess what--he will be late for work. that, and their 2 cats in alaska were their reasons to flee mazatlan without worry about weather which wasnot conducive to departure and for not provisioning or fueling before leaving.. not cool, i know, but it is what itis. their galley didnot work, so forget the propane explosion theory. we are all going outof our minds with worry on these three. there are over 100 yrs of experience on board that lafitte 44. kerry and frankie always contact me for weather before doing anything, but not this time. they knew i would give lecture. they shoulda stayed for that damned lecture. we have been friends many years. they followed me to mazatlan. i never met bill. i am in contact with his daughter who is the contact now for mex navy, mex consulate and uscg. this is as if aliens abducted em and their boat. no pings no slick no debris no nada. nothing whatsoever.
zeehag said: Not provisioning or fueling before leaving.. not cool, i know, but it is what itis. their galley didnot work, so forget the propane explosion theory. Click to expand...
Do I understand correctly that the boat hasn’t moved in four years and they just left, no provisions, little fuel?
you got it toyota
Very, very sad. When a boat has sat in a marina à long time, then not refused, then shaken in large waves, the sediment in the tank can be a larger part of the remaking fuel. This more easily blocks intakes and filters... At a time irs needed most. I feel whales are not the problem, here. After 2 weeks it's apparent that families will be devestated. Thanks for explaining that. All the best, Zee. Mark
MarkofSeaLife said: Very, very sad. When a boat has sat in a marina à long time, then not refused, then shaken in large waves, the sediment in the tank can be a larger part of the remaking fuel. This more easily blocks intakes and filters... At a time irs needed most. I feel whales are not the problem, here. After 2 weeks it's apparent that families will be devestated. Thanks for explaining that. All the best, Zee. Mark Click to expand...
at least i have fuel food and a mechanic and a tracker on board when i take off like an idjit...and i know my weather.... gods bless em and i hope ...
All good wishes to them and you. I know you feel deeply for them. Yet there is little to nothing you could have done, they are adults and made adult decisions for their own needs. All we can do is watch and pray and remember and, perhaps, use this story to educate others if and when the need arises. Peace on your soul.
I can think of no boat, perhaps with the exception of something that says “NAVY” I’d take in 5meter 3sec period. The Lafitte 44 is a robust boat, but wouldn’t take that for long. Two consecutive waves on the beam could easily roll it, leaving no time for Epirb or raft. On the nose the rig would be slammed and shaking; aged and uninspected, I’d not be surprised if it came down. There is sadly nothing we can do from afar.
OntarioTheLake said: There is sadly nothing we can do from afar. Click to expand...
this one is a tough one. i am not official in any way shape or form but the network we cruisers build includes those who are salvors and rescuers and tuna fishers and shrimpers and others with skillzz we have been denied in favor of the skillz we possess. i have been able to semi isolate my feelings away from the fact of searching but that isn ot working well. we are all feeling the hit and feeling it hard. someone pasted the ocean bound picture on the chilean catalina 30 story and circulated it as ob being found by atuneros.. it took a few fone calls and much back and forth to sort. family used uscg for this i called a friend who was underwater welder for tuna fleet who was able to tell me within 15 min the reality. uscg took 1.5 days to sort it. networks are very helpful tools. make yours a functional and worthy one. you never know who will be of most assistance in a big pinch.
I have changed the thread title to show this thread is open for general discussion so we may learn from this experience. Please note we have a forum member who is good friends with at least one of those lost. So though its appropriate to be respectful, its also vital we learn too. Some of these threads can turn to wild speculation, but previous disasters we have subsequently found out that the wild speculation was indeed correct. Mark
first lets rule out piracy which some blatherhead in fb has argued with another friend.. there are no pirates here. our shrimpers help folks not hurt folks. and lets bring up the 20 ft seas uscg has mentioned as being real. but here with 20 ft seas there is short interval, like under 8 seconds, and more like 3 to 5 seconds. is wicked when there is a front coming thru. yes 2 had 6pak licensces i am not sure what kinda license was in bills resume. i sailed south surfing 20 plus ft quartering seas but the intervals were reasonable like more than 12 seconds. we were comfortable. soc is speshull with intervals worse than maytag or whirlpool. yes they didnot think before leaving but they did--they thought about provisioning and fuel in cabo. they thought to bring mechanic. that was a sound idea with the boat having sat for a few years without moving. so. what are your ideas on why and how they disappeared without traces.
zeehag said: . so. what are your ideas on why and how they disappeared without traces. Click to expand...
one source said the intervals and seas could wellhave destroyed boat by rollover too rapid to save anything or anyone and the seas could well have destroyed boat even a sturdy one. is a possibility. we are all befuddled by this, and we are all still hoping they show up...but, reality dictates open mind and all possibilities are open. we have known of many whale strikes in soc and pacific. we have no idea. was sudden and fast, whatever it was.
Zee, You seem to have more info than any of us. Was this Bad Weather, Bad Seas, predicted? I mean it was what a 2 day sail under the right conditions. Stating the obvious here, No Job is worth heading out in the conditions you describe. So, now they're out there. I heard they had an Epirb, but we don't know if it had been maintained, was auto release or hydrostatic. etc. Assuming that once they found themselves in the ****, they had Lifejackets on and a tether. In a sudden sinking, you need to be able to release or cut the tether. You need to be conscience. If they managed to get in the water they're a much smaller target than a ship to locate. My take away, or rather reminders, besides the obvious, stay in port. Have Reliable long range communications, cell phones just don't cut it. Have PLB and Radio attached to your modern vest. Have an easy to release tether, and or carry a good knife, Maybe Hook a bottle of water on your belt.
tempest said: Zee, You seem to have more info than any of us. Was this Bad Weather, Bad Seas, predicted? I mean it was what a 2 day sail under the right conditions. Stating the obvious here, No Job is worth heading out in the conditions you describe. So, now they're out there. I heard they had an Epirb, but we don't know if it had been maintained, was auto release or hydrostatic. etc. Assuming that once they found themselves in the ****, they had Lifejackets on and a tether. In a sudden sinking, you need to be able to release or cut the tether. You need to be conscience. If they managed to get in the water they're a much smaller target than a ship to locate. My take away, or rather reminders, besides the obvious, stay in port. Have Reliable long range communications, cell phones just don't cut it. Have PLB and Radio attached to your modern vest. Have an easy to release tether, and or carry a good knife, Maybe Hook a bottle of water on your belt. Click to expand...
Several months or so after the big (wood) schooner Nina disappeared in the Tasman Sea , some forums were still discussing the possibility that they could be mastless and/or under jury rig headed for Oz or NZ. As my early offshore sailing days were done on similarly built wooden vessels before the USCG's "Get out of trouble free" card was available or well beyond any help of any kind, fashioning jury rigs was a necessary skill. I thought it impossible that the crew of the schooner were still alive, so I got weather and current charts for the area and ran the numbers. Even against an unfavorable current and winds they should have made landfall in Oz before then. I thought it quite cruel for so many folks to be giving the family hope at that point, so I put together all the info available to me posted it. Since I had no info that was positive, I tried very gently to forward my hypothesis about what probably had happened. This was a pretty big wooden schooner and with a very experienced owner/captain and it was extremely unlikely the vessel sank slowly, as no debris or life jackets were found during the search. The weather wasn't good, but it rarely is in that area, so one would think that the captain would certainly have had her reefed down and sailing under control. Just about the only thing that would sink a well found wooden vessel sailed properly in those conditions, so quickly that no message or safety gear could be launched, would have been a sprung plank. But in this case in Mexico, I cannot come up with any good reason why a (well built?) fiberglass boat, sailed by such a seasoned crew, could have disappeared without a trace. Especially in such heavily traveled waters. I can't think of a single thing other than hitting a container at speed, which might not have been possible in those conditions, or run down by a ship. But unlike the vessel above, there is a chance of survivors, still. There have been several cases of Central American fishermen who have survived for half a year or more, drifting west. Let us keep up hope for a good outcome to this mystery.
capta said: . I can't think of a single thing other than hitting a container at speed, which might not have been possible in those conditions, or run down by a ship. Click to expand...
Wave heights describe the average height of the highest third of the waves (defined as the significant wave height – see diagram below). It is measured by the height difference between the wave crest and the preceding wave trough. The Bureau of Meteorology does not forecast maximum wave heights in routine forecasts. Statistically it is estimated that about one in every 2000 to 3000 waves (three to four times a day) will be approximately twice the height of the total wave height. Click to expand...
i was just advised by mom of kerry obrien the searchhas been called off.
Zee, I don't know if this question will help anyone, or inform anyone but it bugs me. First I just want to understand the situation correctly, this is what I think I know mostly from your posts but also elsewhere. Assumptions A the couple owned the boat B the couple were on a schedule back to work, etc. C the single man was crew D the single mans wife was to meet him in Cabo E the couple had been looking for crew for a few weeks Q1 If that is the case why were they not spending this time to get the boat in better shape? Fix the galley, etc? Q2 Did they not even take a test sail of an hour or so to assure sheaves were not seized and hoses not rotted? Q3 They had an EPIRB, but was it ancient or with good batteries? Q4 What was the compelling reason that forced them out in such conditions in a neglected boat? Thanks for your input and patience, it is a very troubling story in so many ways.
hpeer said: Zee, I don't know if this question will help anyone, or inform anyone but it bugs me. First I just want to understand the situation correctly, this is what I think I know mostly from your posts but also elsewhere. Assumptions A the couple owned the boat...., yes B the couple were on a schedule back to work, etc. ... yes C the single man was crew.. yes.i didnot know him D the single mans wife was to meet him in Cabo. he was going to meet someone there, ys E the couple had been looking for crew for a few weeks... they didnot tellme , when thye cameback thgey were leaving already. rent was raised inmarinamazatlanandmany fled Q1 If that is the case why were they not spending this time to get the boat in better shape? Fix the galley, etc?-- good question, Q2 Did they not even take a test sail of an hour or so to assure sheaves were not seized and hoses not rotted?..nope Q3 They had an EPIRB, but was it ancient or with good batteries?-- another good question Q4 What was the compelling reason that forced them out in such conditions in a neglected boat?-- need to get back to cats in ak and frankie needed to get to work in ak. and i am not in marina anymore. they followed me down her eand i saiod to them they shouldnot have., but that was a few years ago Thanks for your input and patience, it is a very troubling story in so many ways. yes.heartbreaking and very troubling Click to expand...
So far I’ve read a whole list of never do actions, which presumably they all knew better. Not one thing, a lot of them. Truly, I cannot think of anything shy of fleeing a murder rap that would induce anyone to depart in that situation.
That is mostly what I have "learned". I have talked myself into leaving in not the best conditions, but this case sounds insane and then has boat and provisions issues throw in on top. For a crew person without a schedule issue to have gone along is just WOW. I hope it all works out well somehow.
Weather forecast for Cabo Airport April 3,4,5
Seems fine. What about at Mazatlan?
U.S. Coast Guard crews have suspended their search for a 70-year-old-man who was last seen departing a Marco Island marina on Monday bound for Indian Rocks Beach.
Bert Erwin was last seen Monday at Rose Marina in Marco Island in his 37-foot fishing boat, according to a news release from the Coast Guard. On Wednesday morning, a good Samaritan reported to the Coast Guard that Erwin was overdue to arrive in Pinellas County.
Air and surface crews began a search. In an update Thursday afternoon, the Coast Guard said crews located Erwin’s disabled white boat about 28 miles off Englewood. No one was aboard.
In a news release Friday morning, the Coast Guard said it had suspended the search “pending new information.” Crews searched more than 8,000 square miles — an area almost the size of the state of New Jersey — battling 10-knot winds and 3-foot seas, the release said.
“We offer our deepest condolences to Mr. Erwin’s loved ones,” Lt. Andrew Grady, search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, said in the news release. “One of the hardest decisions to make during a search is a suspension.”
Anyone with information should call U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg command center at 866-881-1392.
Jack Prator is a reporter covering breaking news and environment. Reach him at [email protected].
The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only. To enjoy the e-Newspaper every day, please subscribe.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Kerry and Frank O'Brien, a married couple, initially decided to travel to Mexico to sail a 41-foot LaFitte sailboat named "Ocean Bound" to San Diego after the boat underwent repairs near Mazatlán ...
April 19, 2023, 7:20 PM PDT. By Phil Helsel. The search has been suspended for three Americans who set sail from Mexico bound for San Diego more than two weeks ago and have not been seen since ...
The missing people, a woman and two men identified as Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross, were sailing aboard the Ocean Bound, a 44-foot La Fitte sailboat.
The Ocean Bound, a 44-foot sailing vessel, left the Mexican city of Mazatlán on April 4 with three people on board, the US Coast Guard says. ... Missing Americans are 'experienced sailors ...
The search for three Americans missing along with their sailboat off Mexico's northern Pacific coast since April 4 has ... aboard a 44-foot boat named Ocean Bound on April 4 and were headed to San ...
According to the Coast Guard, Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross were sailing onboard the "Ocean Bound," a 44-foot LaFitte sailboat. They were last heard from on April 4 when ...
They had been sailing aboard the "Ocean Bound" a 44-foot Lafitte sailboat. An undated photo of Frank and Kerry O'Brien, two of the three U.S. sailors who went missing while sailing off the Pacific ...
2 of 4 | . This photo provided by the U.S Coast Guard on April 14, 2023, shows missing Americans Frank O'Brien, left, and Kerry O'Brien. The two Americans, joined by William Gross, were aboard the 44-foot (13.5 meter) sailing vessel "Ocean Bound," and have not been heard from since April 4, when they were near the Pacific coast port of Mazatlan, Mexico, according to the Coast Guard.
April 20, 2023 4:26 AM PT. MEXICO CITY —. Mexico's navy has suspended a search for three Americans who went missing along with their sailboat off Mexico's northern Pacific coast, the U.S ...
The men — identified as Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William Gross — were on the 44-foot sailboat Ocean Bound when they were last heard from on April 4, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement issued Friday. No information was given on the men's hometowns.
Search continues for 3 missing American sailors 01:33. ... The couple's 44-foot sailboat, "Ocean Bound," also had older navigational equipment. The search area is some 2,500 square miles. The ...
Authorities have also not received any sightings of the group or the 44-foot LaFitte boat, named "Ocean Bound," that they were sailing with. "Search and rescue coordinators have contacted marinas ...
Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien and William "Bill" Gross of San Diego departed Mazatlán, Mexico, on April 4 aboard the sailing vessel Ocean Bound -- a 44-foot La Fitte -- and had planned to stop in ...
The Ocean Bound, a 44-foot sailing vessel, left the Mexican city of Mazatlán on April 4 with three people on board, the US Coast Guard says. ... Missing Americans are 'experienced sailors ...
Associated Press. April 18, 2023 2:26 AM PT. MEXICO CITY —. The Mexican Navy says it is using ships and a plane to search for three Americans who went missing along with their sailboat off ...
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the three sailors of the Ocean Bound should contact the U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue coordination center at 510-437-3701.
The three Americans — Kerry O'Brien and Frank O'Brien of Girdwood and their friend William Gross — were aboard the 44-foot sailing vessel Ocean Bound when they were last heard from April 4 ...
April 17, 2023 Justin Cooper. The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for three American sailors who have been missing for nearly two weeks, last heard from near the Mexican city of Mazatlán. The Coast Guard is assisting the Mexican Navy's search for Kerry O'Brien, Frank O'Brien, and William Gross, who reportedly left Mazatlán on their boat ...
Ocean Bound, the missing sail boat, is pictured here. (Photo: U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Southwest) Officials say the sailors planned to stop in Cabo San Lucas on April 6 for provisions and to ...
A sailboat with three souls aboard has been reported missing in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Ocean Bound is a 44-ft Lafitte crewed by Kerry and Frank O'Brien and William (Bill) Gross. We understand the boat left Mazatlán at around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, and headed west across the Sea of Cortez en route to San Diego.
Kerry, Frank and Bill are all experienced sailors, Bill has over 50 years of sailing experience and is an extremely talented coastal cruiser. Kerry and Frank have 20 years sailing together and both hold Captains licenses with the US Coast Guard. Ocean Bound is a sturdy older vessel and by many accounts is one of the best sailboats ever constructed.
Kerry, Frank and Bill are missing aboard the O'Briens vessel Ocean Bound. Kerry, Frank and Bill are all experienced sailors, Bill has over 50 years of sailing experience and is an extremely talented coastal cruiser. Kerry and Frank have 20 years sailing together and both hold Captains licenses with the US Coast Guard.
A photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard on Friday shows a Coast Guard vessel, left, with the fishing boat of Bert Erwin, who left the Rose Marina on Marco Island on Monday, Sept. 9 bound for ...