Miss Tippy Drama!
MISS TIPPY DRAMA AT SEA
A dramatic day on Miss Tippy ( some graphic pictures.)
Wed 20th January.
We are well into our passage to San Blas. Tortola is 175 miles behind us with a beautiful sunrise at sea. All is calm and peaceful on Miss Tippy with a good weather forecast. She is cruising along at 6 knots, heading southwest.
Brian and I share 2 hourly watches overnight so are well rested and Freddie joins me for the sunrise shift. The girls and Brian sleep after their graveyard shift!
The wind speed is 10-15 knots and we expect a lovely sail with the wind right behind us.
After breakfast, we think about poling out the headsail which is flapping around when the wind drops causing unnecessary chafe on the canvas and lines but decide against it as there is enough breeze to keep the sails full, allowing a relaxing mornng while Miss Tippy glides through the calm sea. The fishing line is released and we lie in the sun waiting…and soon get a bite!
It’s very exciting, it looks like a Mahi mahi and we play it carefully in order not to snap the line. Our hearts are racing! Freddie is taking in the sails to slow us down to 1 knot, Annie and Charlie and are ready for action.
Brain and Freddie take on the challenge and the game is tough. They play the fish for 45 minutes feeding the line in and out tentatively.
It puts up an almighty fight…
It is an amazing sight…
At last it is tired and time to reel it in.
The fish is on deck, it’s lively!
A blow to the head with a priest, some brandy down the gills, the fish very quickly expires .
Annie is only 3inches taller than the Mahi mahi.
Lunch is good today.
Tippy Drama!
Friends, please know some pictures are graphic!
It’s 4pm, Brian is giving Charlie a lessson in how to pole out the headsail, she is keen to learn and strong enough to help. Annie is watching, Freddie is helping with the lines. I am down below.
There is an eruption of a noise, a thunderous crash like we have never before heard on a boat. In an instant I think we must have a massive hole in the hull.
The next moment brings a bloodcurdling scream from Annabelle and distressed shouts from Freddie and Charlie. I now think Brian has gone overboard.
On my way out I glance through the glass roof of the saloon I see Brian is on the deck, lying over the window and there is blood and he is still.
The longest journey through the cockpit past the crying children through the sprayhood window there is more blood and he remains still.
He is lying in a heap on the deck and blood is pouring from the deep head wound, the children stop crying and bring towels to stop the flow.
After 3 or so minutes he comes round, as I roll him over I can see the skull under the gash in his head at least it is hard and white not soft and grey! He is now conscious but mutters unintelligibly.
Brian collapses into the cockpit. Charlie brings the medical bag.
The spinnaker pole is dangling upside down in the water we realise the spar fixing the pole to the mast has broken and the whole weight of the 20ft steel pole has crashed from at least 15 ft above onto his head.
The children are eager to help and spring into action.
Charlie and Freddie help to bring in the pole, which is now banging against the side of the hull. It’s heavy and still attached to lines on the outer end end. We consider cutting it free to fall into the sea but manage winch it up and then lift it in over the guardrail and dangle it upside down by the outhaul. It is now lashed to the deck and a line goes forward to hold it to the windlass, unusual rope work but effective!
Brian can speak to us now and is very shocked.
.
The wind seems to be increasing in strength and the boat is rolling with the boom out over the starboard side on a preventer and no balancing headsail up. Freddie takes in the mailsail while the preventer is let off slowly for him.
Annie takes care of the patient and feeds him ice.
Brian needs hospital attention. There is too much blood to suture his head and blood pressure is low. He could have a compression injury to the neck so we dare not allow him to move.
The Glasgow coma score is good. No urgent panic at the moment!!
Annie says “Mummy I can talk to Daddy and keep him awake”
The boat begins to rock and roll. It takes about an hour from the accident to stabilize the patient and the boat.
Freddie the navigator looks at the chart and says, “Mum we could go to Puerto Rico it’s the closest island.”
Only 55 miles away, an 8-10 hour journey with the wind dead ahead…Great!
It’s about 5 pm.
The U.S. coast guard is called on the SSB radio, which has about 600 mile range and on the VHF radio which has only about 30 miles range.
We give our ships details and explain history of the accident. Permission is requested to land in the U.S. commonwealth of Puerto Rico, we have no U.S. visa, however, Ponce in Puerto Rico is confirmed as a landing place.
There is a long silence I think he must be checking with authorities whether we are allowed to land.
We have confirmation that we can enter the country for medical treatment and check into customs later, he wants to speak on the satellite phone every 15 minutes for the first hour, then half hourly.
The U.S. coastguard never leaves me feeling alone in the darkening night.
His name is Jason and he feels like my best friend at the moment.
A helicopter rescue is offered for the patient but we decline as the BP comes up and the bleeding slows down. We request an ambulance at the pontoon and Jason confirms that all required assisstance will be available when we arrive at the safe harbour.
Freddie (aged 11) puts in a waypoint for Ponce on the chart and plots our course.
Charlie (aged 12) says “As first mate I’m skipper now and will take the helm.” She turns the boat 180 degrees now heading north.
Annie (aged 9) says ”Mummy what can I talk to Daddy about now to keep him awake?”
Amazing kids.
As night drew in the wind increased to 25 knots, which made for a rocky ride. The sea crashed over the bow as we rolled along. It rains and feels like a real dark and stormy night! The patient is thrown around.
We get advice and reassurance from Jason the U.S. coastguard all night long as we head towards unknown waters.
The children are very brave and a constant support to their Daddy
They are hungry but don’t complain when all I can do is give them chocolate from the fridge.
I am seasick.
There is a huge container ship on a collision course with Miss Tippy.
I radio her on the VHF channel 16 and request her to change course to avoid us.
I cannot ask Freddie and Charlie to avoid collision as the patient is complaining of more blood loss under the dressing and needs attention.
Annie gets tea towels and we pack the head. With an allergy warning Brian is ready for the ambulance. We let him fall asleep for a few minutes at a time.
The container ship not only obliges safe passage but offers to send assistance if we need it. We decline the offer but are grateful for the safe crossing behind our stern.
The children take turns to have half an hours sleep. All is calm with our patient.
The sea is rough. The waves are now breaking on the side of the boat but we must keep a steady course.We are all wet and cold.
The night is long. Jason the coast guard assures us again that help is at hand should we need it.
We are nearly there. On the chart Freddie plots our rendezvous to meet a U.S. coastal cutter, which will escort us from a waypoint 10 miles out of harbour.
When the cutter arrives she is an impressive 110 ft long and she sits on our stern like a guardian angel.
A police escort motors alongside and with a cheery wave they guide us from the front avoiding hazards, on towards the pilot vessel 2 miles further in.
The pilot vessel is now visible. We slow Miss Tippy down so that harbour pilot Coqui, driven by Fernando, can step aboard with deckhand David to guide us into the dock.
I slide my hands from the wheel with difficulty, they are stuck fast! With hugs for both men I ask them to close their eyes so we don’t spoil night vision with the flash!
Coqui is a sailor too and is in familiar waters.He takes Miss Tippy to the dock with great care.
There is a waiting party on the pontoon and they take care of my husband .
The children are taken by Coqui’s wife Marilyn, to an all night diner for pizza!
Brian and I go on a very smooth ambulance journey after police and customs take a few important identification details.
The doctor is happy all vital signs are good and the wound is sutured.
Brian is healing quickly and feels much better!
I wait while he has a CT scan which is clear.
8 am. We can go home to Miss Tippy.It’s a relief to be back.We go to bed and sleep forever.
Marilyn and the children are back after a fantastic sleepover and T.V. heaven in her home.
Daddy gets big cuddles.
4 days later the scar is healing really well and no lasting damage,as one friend said in a message “Lucky it didn’t hit him anywhere serious!”
25th January We are off to San Blass this evening a 875 mile journey and we feel good about going.
Love and thanks to all friends and family for kind messages,we will have no internet for about 2 weeks now.
Love Sheila xx
Popularity: 9% [?]
You made a grown man cry (me not Brian)as I read the email Sheila sent and then to see the photo’s – what a family – brilliant Kids – brilliant mum, bald dad.
I bet Brian’s pleased you didn’t cut the line on the pole!
Did you realise in the photo of Brian’s head from above he looks just like David Beckham.
We have the web cam URL for panama canal ready and waiting to watch – lets hope its not night time when you transit.
love to all and keep being the Nortons we know.
Adrian Nicola Alex Brittany & LOTTIE (who hasn’t been sea sick since 24 July)it’s another record.
Hi Tippys glad youre on the mend read from Roundabout about the accident on 22nd all been anxious since, Libbie asking have you heard from Brian yet. We have all been following since Aug and are affectionatly known as the Tippys. Spoke to Tony (BWR)at boat show & Barry (crashmore)all enjoy great movies & diary,you must be so proud of the crew and them of you keep up the good work.
All the best, Jim Suzanne Libbie(12)Freddie(3)Spindlow
My heart beat faster and faster as I read your diary, what an absolute disaster. We are so relieved that you are all OK. Take it easy from now on eh?! Lots of love to the patient and all his helpers x
I feel so sorry for all of you hope your alright Brian xxx well done Freddie, Charlie and ANNIE !!!!! Hope your alright as well Sheila ……. i am sad as well as you i bet you all
worked together as a team……
P.S hope you like Honey i got you and i have 11 blue noses now
ALL MY LOVE
Lottie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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I’m glad everything came out alrigth and Mr.Brian is out of any danger, I wanted to see you before you left the marina but unfortunately job kept me very busy and I didn’t want to bug in the evening. I hope you a very good trip down to Panama cant Wait to See the pictures and I really hope you come around again sometime you’re new friend from Ponce Puerto Rico take care guys
Now that is an impressive set of stitches. The spilt vintage claret around the deck must have been an equal shock. Put the glass down next time!
Seriously, all the Smiths glad to see a smily Brian, and cue a virtual round of applause for Sheila and all the kids (it’s in situations like this the ‘children’ become young adults and surprise us).
Glad that everything work out fine and the Mr. Brian is doing fine. We hope your family have a very good trip down to Panama. If you came around Puerto Rico again we will be listening, but this time we hope there is no emergency on board. Take care. USCG Search and Rescue Coordination Sub-Center San Juan, Puerto Rico.
What a wonderful family – great kids. Best wishes to the patient from Ron & Lynn (friends of Fai Tira)
ahoy Miss Tippy
Saw your article in the Sunday Times a few weeks back and visited the London Boat Show after that. Will hopefully be joining the 2011 BW rally with my family (boy aged 6 and girl 9).
Glad to see everything worked out after the accident (though I’m sure the skipper will have a sore head for a while!). Good to see strangers being so incredibly helpful!
Some questions about your trip: How are kids adjusting to life at sea? Do you have regular “school” or are they still on “holiday”? My wife is a teacher so planning on home (boat!) schooling whilst we’re on the rally. I’m sure they’ll learn a tremendous amount whilst on the cruise! Are there similar aged children on other boats in the rally for company?
Any items you wish you fitted to Miss Tippy? Anything that’s seen little use? How did you go about budgeting (diesel, food etc?) for life aboard? I’ve heard a water-maker is a good investment.
Great web site btw.
All the best and look further to reading further of your travels.
Regards
Tony
Brian
What a fantastic Mahi Mahi do you remember catching it though?
Glad to hear you are on the mend
My favourite photo was of Freddie holding your hand whilst helming or were you holding his?, bit of both i suspect, must have made you very proud how they all coped
Safe passage to Panama
Regards
Nigel
To Miss Tippy’s precious cargo,
You’re the bravest family I’ve ever heard of! What a fantastic team, we’re very proud of you,
love and miss you,
Andrea, Simon, Thomas, Daniel and Emily xxx
Happy Birthday big sis!
Happy Birhday on the high seas Hello from Ponce, hope al is well, please be safe.
Marilyn & coqui
We think Uncle Brian looks awfully like a Bond villain with no hair and a scar. Please save the next scary moment until AFTER we meet up in Oz.
Lots of love
Cat, Alice, Lulu, Michael and Julia xxxxx
Very pleased to hear you’re ok Brian, I was very shocked and worried when my mum and dad told me so I’m relieved to see you’re on the mend! And well done to Sheila, Charlie, Annie and Freddie, it sounds like you all coped brilliantly. I don’t think you could have handled it any better!
Can’t wait to see you all in a couple of weeks! xxx
Hi Auntie Shiela, Uncle Bri, Charlie, Fredster and Annie, I hope your having a lovely time sailing on the open seas. I love you all so much. I can’t wait to see you when you come back xxx
The girls said yuk! and ran away.
You are all so clever and quick thinking, what a great team and what a terrifiying ordeal. I was reading out loud and couldn’t speak for the emotion. You really are all terrific. We hope and pray that it’s all plain sailing from now on. God bless you all and your wonderful Miss Tippy. XXXXX
the nortons were realy good at the team work and saved uncle brian.I want to do that when I grow up.
Sheila & Brian
Brian – so so pleased to see you are on the mend after what must have been a terrible time. Kids well done for looking after Dad so well. Sheila – you are just brilliant. Love to all Rob & Sheila
Hi to the very brave and courageous crew and wounded captain of ‘Miss Tippy’
I have been reading all about your adventures on line since the the article in the Sunday newspaper.
After the incident with the spinnaker pole I just had to write a note to praise the crew. I hope nothing like this ever happens to me but if it does I hope I have a crew that can care for me like you cared for Brian. It was very brave of Sheila to so brilliantly to tale control, contact the Coastguard and set a new course for Puerto Rico. Brian you must be so proud of your wife and children.
I will continue to follow your adventures whilst we continue following our dream sailing at the moment in the Med. on ‘Ariel of Hamble’
Best Wishes to you all
Jim Shurvell
Hi Sheila,
I was the person you were speaking with throughout the night. Hope all is well with your husband. Have a safe and good trip to San Bias. Take care
Regards,
Jayson Rodriguez
USCG Sector San Juan
As they say, “things happen quickly at sea”, but glad to hear you are on the mend Brian. Well done family, you’ll be grown ups by the time you get home!
It’s a long way from Christmas Day at the dockyard in Antigua!
God speed and keep safe.
Mike & Maria
You don’t know me, I’m following a few blogs as we are considering doing the Blue Water Rally, we’re not stalking you, honest!
Just read your blog about your accident and just had to say “Well Done!” to all of you, very impressed. That’s all, good luck with the rest of your trip, if you don’t mind we’ll be following with interest.
Rob
I’m the skipper of the USCG Cutter that arrived on scene with you. I am glad to see that all worked out well. Good luck with the rest of your trip. Fair winds and following seas…
John
hey guys ,
Were just catching up when we saw this shocker of a story. Am so sorry Brian x hope you feel better. Good work guys you must have been so supportive you lot x we love you and really miss you!! x
Lots of love Caitlin and Meg
P.S Annie I really really miss you can’t wait until you get back next year Lots of Love MEGxxxxxxxxxxxxxx!!!!!!!!
My God, how lucky you are that it was only a cut and bloody mess. A nightmare and shocking to read. How must this have been for you all. Well handled and I am impressed with how the familly handled all this.
Stay well and prudent!! kindest regards Hans
To the awesome crew of Miss T. You handled a horrible situation brilliantly. So pleased to hear Brian is OK. All the best to you. Barry (Crashmore??)
Wow, what a scary time it must have been for you all, but congrats on keeping your heads – literally in Brian’s case. Glad you’re well Brian! On the positive you now have a battle scar to back up any tall tale you choose to spin, “There were 50 blood thirsty pirates”.
I’ll have to mentally prepare myself for possible drama before checking back in next time.
Nice to see everything is all right and heading to Panama,nice voyage and Good bless you all, from the Ponce,Puerto Rico motor boat police unit.
Glad to see you are OK Brian. Well done kids for looking after your Dad so well, he must be very proud of you!
Hope your trip through the canal is not quite as exciting.
Take care
Paul (Jackamy Atlantic Crew)
We just want to say a HUGE thank you to all those people involved in looking after our family on the high seas.
Jayson Rodriguez, Captain John and the USCG , David, Fernando, Cocqui and Marilyn (and anyone else who helped) – you are all true life Guardian Angels!
Beers are on us if you ever make it to England.
Michael, Julia, Cat, Alice and Lucy
Oops – orgot to add Manuel Franceschi and the Ponce motor boat police unit to our thank you list – cheers guys for helping out!
Just noticed how colourful Brian’s brain is!
A very happy ending to an accident which could have turned seriously bad. The way you all handled the situation is exemplary to anyone considering this type of adventure. It also highlights the benefits of years of family sailing and preparation that went prior to this journey. We clearly all need a nurse on board! and the children, well… I suppose every parent reading this story will have an idea of how proud of them the two of you must be.
but from now on, only happy stories please
Oh my god… i am crying…. that must have been so scary. What amazing kids you have,, it must have shaken you all. The kindness of the people that helped you is just amazing. I really hope Brian is ok and you too Sheila. Please take care and Im just about to read the your recent diary entries. Love to you all as always
Georgina, Dickie, Eddie and Henry xxxxxxxxxxxx
u guys handled that like a pro! Well, to me u r pro’s! Poor uncle Brian! u should all get a medal for ur bravery and quick thinking! xxxxxxxxxxx
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hello.
I read that story ages ago but it still creeps me out.
How scary it must be to see your dad badly hurt.
But it happend so lon ago uncle Brian must be O.K.
miss you!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello friends, hope all is well with family & friends, on July 11th I suffered massive heart attack aboard a tanker inbound Guayanilla, on July 15 I was transfer to San Juan, for a major open chest surgery, on July 19th surgery was done, & release from hospital on July 26 th. Since them I been home trying make a come back to the ocean that me love.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Corky & Marilyn