Searunner 40 Trinity lost, but crew saved

Canadian John Davidson and fellow Canadian Jud Baker are alive and recovering after they lost their Searunner 40 TRINITY about five miles off the coast of Costa Rica.  Rescued by the crew of the 695 foot car carrier SUNBELT SPIRIT, the pair suffered sunburns, dehydration, and terribly blistered hands from attempting to row to the coast. The same heavy weather that caused the damage to TRINITY kept them heading further out to sea in their small inflatable  The loss is attributed to rough seas which ripped off one of the floats of the trimaran and caused the loss of the mast before the vessel went down.  For more details, read the report at 'Letronic Lattitude of the San Francisco Bay area magazine, "Latitude 38:

http://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/lectronicday.lasso?date=2010-12-17&dayid=518#Story2

Over two years ago my wife Doreen and I drove from home in Oregon to Guaymas, Mexico in order to look at TRINITY for possibly purchasing her.  She was on the hard at Marina Seca of Guaymas and we did a thorough review of her before considering getting a survey done.  She just did not meet my expectations of quality within and we decided against going any further toward the purchase.  In fact, it was this trip to see TRINITY that convinced me to go the full nine yards and totally refurbish our Searunner 34 ETAK.

What really concerns me is that Trinity lost a float!  I have not heard of any Searunners losing a float (or ama as they are also called) from rough seas.  Some have been severely damaged on reefs and rocky shores, but to have one come off is quite unusual. There must have been some rot or termite damage in the main bulkheads that hold the amas to the wings and main hull.  Plus the 'Lectronic Latitude report indicates she sank.  Such a calamity is usually reserved for a ballasted vessel and not a multihull. I need more details on this loss and am looking forward to more reports from the maritime press.  Something just seems wrong here.

Owner John Davidson, 65, and crew member Jud Baker, 47, are lucky to be alive despite the loss of their Searunner.  One of them grabbed the hand-held EPIRB as they jumped in their inflatable, alerting the Coast Guard that something was amiss at sea.  The Coasties finally located the two sailors by airplane on their third day in the dinghy without water, food, or shelter from the sun.  Their inflatable flipped during the three days at sea but fortunately the two men were able to right it and get back aboard.  It was the last minute grabbing of the EPIRB that undoubtedly saved their lives.

All of sailors and particularly Searunners are happy captain and crew are alive, and sad that a Searunner came to this fate.  We hope their dream is still with them and they can acquire another vessel and continue on.