s/v cynthia woods investigation status report. crew of s/v cynthia woods steven guy, jim atchley*,...

S/V Cynthia Woods

Investigation Status Report

Crew of S/V CYNTHIA WOODS Steven Guy, Jim Atchley*, Joe Savana, Travis Wright

Steve Conway, Ross Busby, Roger Stone*Former coach, not a crew member.

August 1, 2008 2SO Report to BOR

Investigation Plan

1. Preserve the Evidence

2. Test the Evidence

3. Analyze the Evidence

4. Report Findings

August 1, 2008 SO Report to BOR 3

Investigation Plan

1. Preserve the Evidence DONE!

2. Test the Evidence


4. Report Findings


Regata de AmigosS/V Cynthia Woods starts the race at approximately 1:00PM on

Friday, June 6, 2008. 26 boats started the 630 nautical mile (725 mile) race from Galveston, TX due South to Veracruz, Mexico.


Inverted Vessel Showing Missing Keel

June 10, 2008 photograph of S/V Cynthia Woods’ hull .


Salvage Operation in Freeport, TXOn June 10, 2008, T & T Marine Salvage hauls out the S/V Cynthia Woods for temporary storage at the Freeport Launch Services, Inc. facility. After multiple inspections, on June 20th the boat was moved to a storage facility in Galveston.


TAMUG and T&T Locate Keel

On June 19, 2008, TAMUG employees aboard a T&T Marine Salvage vessel use sonar to locate the keel at 28º 29.42’ N LAT/94º 58.67’ W

LON , about 32 miles SE of Freeport, TX.


Boats Secured in WarehouseOn June 20, 2008 the S/V Cynthia Woods and its keel were stored in T&T Marine Salvage’s Galveston warehouse. On July 14, 2008, the S/V George Phydias was moved to the same location.


SIAD Preserving Evidence Conducted 30 interviews of university staff and

student offshore sailing team members Analyzed all expenditures for the S/V Cynthia

Woods & S/V George Phydias Responded to hotline reports Reviewed offshore sailing team’s processes and

procedures Reviewing Applicable Sailing & USCG

Guidelines for Best PracticesAugust 1, 2008 10SO Report to BOR

OGC Preserving Evidence Coordinating the internal investigation Gathering over 2,900 documents Coordinating salvage, transport and

inspections of the S/V Cynthia Woods and her keel

Coordinating activities involving all interested parties, including their attorneys and marine experts


Interested Parties

United States Coast Guard Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Stone Family Representatives Texas A&M University at Galveston (owner) Bruce Marek (designer) Cape Fear Yacht Works (builder) Payco, Inc./Galveston Yacht Service (ship

yards)


Investigation Plan


2. Test the Evidence IN PROGRESS!


4. Report Findings


USCG Requested Destructive Testing

On July 1, 2008 all interested parties met with USCG to develop a protocol and take core samples of the boat to send to a lab for testing.

This process took two 10-hour days.


Cooperative EffortUSCG had a private marine expert present to oversee the taking of samples. All interested parties’ marine experts worked together to develop a sample protocol. USCG logged almost 30 samples.


Developed Lab Testing ProtocolOn July 3, 2008, USCG personnel and marine experts for the

interested parties worked five hours to draft a four-page letter of instruction to the lab.


Lab Analysis 16 samples were collected and sent to a lab for

testing. Lab is tasked with conducting physical analysis

to determine: measurements, fiberglass to resin ratio, laminate schedule, and material identification.

USCG anticipates results in several weeks but will not release the results to all parties until its report is published.


Investigation Plan




4. Report Findings


Brendan Dobroth Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine

Engineering from University of Michigan 28 years designing, building and racing

sailboats Boats with his keel designs have won Etchells

World Championship, Dragon World Championships, and Olympics

Structural Engineer for Maxi yacht Condor, Cornwall, England; the only two-time winner of every major ocean race


Investigation Plan




4. Report Findings


Report Findings USCG will publish a report finding facts

and drawing conclusions

USCG has not indicated when the report might be completed

A&M System will issue its report after the issuance of the USCG report


Ongoing Activities Assisting USCG Working with marine engineer/naval

architect retained by A&M System Identifying best practices & documenting

areas for operational improvements Drafting portions of A&M System report

not dependent on release of USCG’s report


s/v cynthia woods investigation status report. crew of s/v cynthia woods steven guy, jim atchley*,...

Documents

borso report

amigossv cynthia woods

tt marine salvage vessel

t t marine salvage

marine expertsaugust

borinvestigation planpreserve

evidencereport findingsaugust

documentscoordinating