Dramatic rescue of local sailor, friend came amid huge waves
By Noah Haglund
Hogan
The Post and Courier
A Mount Pleasant man rescued from a sinking sailboat off the coast of New Jersey this week had aspired to sail solo across the Atlantic Ocean next summer.
Kevin Hogan recently bought a boat for that voyage, then had it repaired in Rhode Island. Hogan was sailing back to Charleston with two friends when rough seas turned the 44-foot vessel upside down early Wednesday about 100 miles southeast of Atlantic City.
The ordeal would lead to the rescue of Hogan and fellow Mount Pleasant resident Teresa Garvie by helicopter, and the death of Hogan's friend, 69-year-old Phil Rubright of Detroit.
Brad Van Liew, director of the S.C. Maritime Heritage Foundation, spoke to Hogan Thursday morning.
"Supposedly, they were sitting in 40-50-foot swells," Van Liew said. "A huge one flipped the boat over."
Hogan, 52, and Garvie, 44, suffered mild hypothermia, Coast Guard officials said. Both had been treated and released by Wednesday morning.
Officials received the first distress signal from an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon at about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday. Petty Officer Kip Wadlow of the Coast Guard's 5th District described a dangerous rescue.
"The weather conditions on scene were extremely poor, with large waves and heavy winds," Wadlow said.
The Coast Guard launched a plane and helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C. They found the disabled boat about 1 a.m. but were unable to hoist the passengers to safety.
A large wave damaged a rescue basket before a rescue swimmer could place Rubright inside.
The swimmer then put Rubright in a rescue raft, but a second wave hit the raft, injuring the swimmer and knocking Rubright into the water.
The swimmer was hoisted to safety and flown to Atlantic City, where he was treated and released. A helicopter crew launched from Cape Cod, Mass., took Rubright from the water and flew him to Atlantic City, where he was pronounced dead.
Van Liew said Hogan was originally from the Great Lakes area and knew Rubright from the sailing scene up there. Rubright had been to races in Charleston and had been a fan during Van Liew's two around-the-world solo sailing voyages.
When Van Liew spoke to Hogan Thursday, he said Hogan was upset and planned to travel to Michigan to mourn with Rubright's family.
Neither Hogan nor Garvie could be reached for comment.
It was the second time that Hogan, a dentist, had been rescued at sea during the past year and a half. He had participated in the Charleston to Bermuda Race and was on his way back in his sailboat when it became disabled in heavy seas on June 3, 2007. A Coast Guard boat rescued him about 275 miles east of Charleston.
Sailing, despite it's beauty, carries risks, Van Liew said.
"While 90 percent of the time it's very peaceful and serene, the reality is that there's a certain part of sailing that's an adrenaline thing," he said. "It's risky and has danger associated with it. It's no different now than it has been over the centuries."
Reach Noah Haglund at 937-5550 or nhaglund@postandcourier.com.
An eariler posting of this story incorrectly listed the age of Phil Rubright of Detoit as 56 year's old. Mr. Rubright was 69.
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Comments
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Everyone knew the storm was out there. The attempt to sail through it was, at best, poor judgement. The owner/captain of the boat should have to repay the expenses of the rescue. This is the second time we've paid to pluck his butt from the waves.
October 31, 2008 at 5:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CedarPosts (anonymous) says...
Coldbud - It's bad karma to comment on another captain's actions.
PnC has some errors in the story (ie Rubright's age) and it seems that all the facts are not yet known.
But Rubright had plenty of "blue water" time, and should have known what they were getting into. If Hogan was calling the shots, his boat, his rules, then he'll have to answer for his judgement.
"Rubright had been to races in Charleston and had been a fan during Van Liew's two around-the-world solo sailing voyages."
Eeeeek! Nothing like declaring you have a fan! Hubris, self promotion at the expense of the dead, how disgusting.
Video of the USCG rescue at Http://lifefloatingby.blogspot.com
October 31, 2008 at 6:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Even an article, unrelated to politics, can not escape the duel between the lefties and the right. What are we going to fight about after the new president takes over?
October 31, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Posted by CedarPosts on October 31, 2008 at 6:57 a.m.: Coldbud - It's bad karma to comment on another captain's actions.
First time I've ever heard that. You'd think that with 40 years as a Navy brat and then a Sailor, I'd have heard that before.
Spankerbuns, once again you can't seem to have anything even resembling an intelligent conversation. "Jerk"? . I think someone called me that once before.. back in... oh... I think 3rd grade. And again... politics???? Broaden your horizons: no one listens to your insane political rants anymore... even when they are relevant to the article. You live a sad existence Spanky.
October 31, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notsosure (anonymous) says...
Well said, ColdBud!
October 31, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
I am just an arm chair blue water sailor (in fact I get sea sick in a sea way) but it would be interesting to know the facts. I have read books by the likes of Slocum, Dumas and others - all great blue water sailors. Some had great sea boats, such as Dumas, and some had unsuitable sea boats such as Slocum (Spray), but all of them knew that when problems happened, they would have to deal with them or die at sea. Things have changed and we now have the equivalent of 911. Did this guy pack the goods or did the problems become unmanageable? Two rescues in less than two years ? There was a sail boat years ago that did a 360, lost its mast(s), but the crew was able to rig a jury rig and sail into Charleston - believe the boat was named the Doubloon.
October 31, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
We have to plan our schedule around the sea. The sea will never fit its schedule into ours. From the middle of August to the middle of November be especially careful.
October 31, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
LOL at serialmooner. Spanky and I have differening opinions on many things. When it comes to spanky, if you don't agree with him then you are obviously stupid. I, on the other hand, realize that my opinion is just that... only an opinion and not necessarily fact.
Good post Neponset. Well said.
October 31, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CedarPosts (anonymous) says...
There are two types of people out on the water who call the Coast Guard, those who panic at the first sign of trouble and those who wait until it's too late.
ColdBud - The bad karma thing is old school, goes for airplanes as well. You really can't know unless you were there and there is always polite way of saying things.
"He continued into unknown sea conditions, against better judgement" vs he was a dumbass.
Pilot Error vs he never should have graduated flight school.
I'm a little on the cautious side. No bananas, no suitcases. Port engine first, stern line last, always back to starboard and never, never cross in front of a pilot boat.
I recall a summer sailing a Navy 44 when suddenly the heart stopping sound of fiberglass thundered across the water, about 50 yards away a 44s had collided with a fixed object and was riding high in the bow with a port list.
Of course we all gawked until an upper classman yelled eyes in the boat!
So the Karma thing is really just my two cents.
But, just think how smoother traffic would move if we all kept our eyes in the boat.
October 31, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
As a submariner, me eyes were always "in the boat" .
October 31, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
CB
Were you forward or aft? Perhaps a RO.
October 31, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
ELT, retired MMCS/SS.
October 31, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CedarPosts (anonymous) says...
ColdBud - I bet they were! I always could spot the guys with dolphins just off the boat, no tan or weathered faces and crazy as loons. But six months in the north sea and you guys were all the envy!
Pleeeze get me off this thing! I think I walked sideways for two months after that tour. Thank God and Country for San Diego
October 31, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
As I have said before, it is best to ignore trolls.
October 31, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
n4dhs (anonymous) says...
whoever said that conservatives are generally happier people than liberals may have been on to something.....
October 31, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CedarPosts (anonymous) says...
ColdBud??? You ride around with extra gas cans?
Heck I've got friends who run the ICW to Beaufort on their waverunners, someone always has an extra gas can.
Like I said there are two types of people who call the Coast Guard, those who panic, and those who wait til it's too late.
But the smart one's plan ahead and can pretty much take care of themselves. Nothing worse than a Navy guy having to call the coasties.
Speaking of calling the coast guard, this still cracks me up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR0lWI...
Somehow it reminds me of SCNative and his use of the english language.
October 31, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
I always carry an extra 5 gallon USGC approved fuel cell. It's stored in a vented locker and is equipped with the correct fittings so I can quickly use it to supply fuel to my engine if the need ever arises. I've never had to use it for myself, but there has been many occasions when I've used it to help someone else that ran out of gas. For some reason, that qualifies me as stupid in scnative4ever's eyes. I don't think the fuel cell is the real cause of his disdain. He fancies himself to be the end-all be-all authority of anything on water. he gets upset when he finds out that is not the case. I don't really pay much attention to him anymore. I do wish he'd change his user-id though. He's giving the real South Carolinians a bad reputation.
October 31, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fcunnane (anonymous) says...
Wow, what presumption! People who claim to have spent much time on the water should know how rapidly conditions change. That storm formed quickly and unexpectedly, as anyone watching Game 5 of the series knows- -the weather prediction changed at least 3 times during the broadcast, but continually got worse. Kevin is a cautious and well-schooled captain who ran into deadly misfortune- -not humorous at all. The storm, as predicted, should have given brisk northerly winds to expedite his trip home, and shame on those who falsely presume.
Frank
October 31, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
fcunnane, that storm was broadcast on the weather channel for at least 3 days before it formed on the coast. It was predicted to form on the northern end of the front that came through here last week and that's exactly what it did. The storm was rotational in nature and moving quickly. Wind direction would have been dependant on where the boat was located. The decision to get underway in such a storm was a poor decision and it cost a life. You're correct in saying that there is nothing humorous about the poor decision and the deadly outcome.
October 31, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Whopper (anonymous) says...
Coldbud, do you always act like a cranky old know it all? I am confident you have made more mistakes and poor decisions than most of us.
October 31, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CedarPosts (anonymous) says...
ya'll need to lighten up!
new coastie video at:
http://cedarposts.blogspot.com
October 31, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
leroy_jenkins (anonymous) says...
What is being left out of the news story is that Kevin Hogan was plucked off his vessel only 2 years ago. Again, making poor command decisions by leaving Bermuda bound for Charleston, SC without his auxillary diesel in proper working order. A tropical disturbance formed and now he had no other options. Now, Hogan left port when weather conditions were clearly forecasted to deteriorate. The tragic result was caused by a poor decision by the skipper. A marine inquiriy should be launched and this captain should not be given any quarter. No matter how long one sails the rules still apply to everyone.
November 3, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CedarPosts (anonymous) says...
Leroy you are correct, but given the weather at the time of his first call to the coasties the diesel wouldn't have made much a difference.
I doubt any insurance company will cover the guy seeing as sinking two boats inside 15 months is a little .... errrrrr stupid?
That's like a million dollars!
November 3, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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