Biggest Sailing Disaster - Story.

[Phillip]

OK Bear, I'll bite! What, how and when?

[bearmcnally]

bear V's prop

Rebuilt a 16ft putt putt [see photo] you had to start it with a leather belt and if you didn't have the nack well! it woukdn't go .Anyway used to run the "Billy Do" done to the sailing club and each sunday and race My skiff "Just another bear" in the afternoon . A mate asked to take "Billy Do" for a run while I rigged my skiff, go for it but remember don't stall it as it's a mungle to re-start ,your girlfriend wants to come too? 'what ever I've got get my skiff rigged'. To cut along story short you guessed it ! Billy Do stalled out in Middle Harbour.So another mate [always keep one spare] said we'll jump in the clubs rescue boat and wiz out so you can re-start her.So off we go in this 35 HP outboard runabout ,bear to the rescue !.Well my mate decides to do a handbrake turn and I [Bear to the rescue] didn't hear the call next thing I saw was me [Bear to the rescue] meeting Middle harbour face first.Guess what happened next the bloody prop got me,BARSTARD!!!!!! Will skip the next bit ............................................................
...............................................................................................................................What happened next was not good for my modelling career ,not that I had one. My right ear meets my left ear basically my face was de-gloved along with other life threating injuries. Moving right along Ambo takes me to the R.N.S Hosiptal for major work, less than 10% of survival deep prop cuts to my head,know I have a brain as you could see it.18 hrs of surgery metal plates 200plus staples nuts bolts etc later I'm in I.C.U for a week. Transferred to a ward etc etc.was supposed to be in ICU for weeks and in hospital for 3 or 4 months along with re-hab Left hospital in 2 weeks told no sailing for 12 months also. Three weeks later back ocean racing and 10 weeks later after my ear healed went back to racing my 16 Ft skiff the "The Zoo"
This story has a happy ending ,no I didn't take up modelling But I did marry my Girlfriend and now have 2 great children

[karl010203]

Holy crap batman...

[storm petrel]

Thats why sailors and phantom ninjas only use the donk as a last resort! I taught a girl about 20 yrs ago who managed to meet an outboard prop head-on just before her HSC and she ended up spending a couple of months in hospital (she eventually recovered and ended up going to uni). The incident made me very wary of having anything to do with sharp spinning things in the water. I think your story is the front runner for worst maritime disaster on the site Bear.

[Miker]

Only one word to say.... OUCH!!!

Glad you survived it Bear,.

Michael

[Phillip]

Bear,

I thought that was just a throw-away line!

Man, you were lucky.

Phillip.