Sailing accident prompts rescue

Author: Liz Campbell

Two Middlebury students were rescued from Lake Champlain after their sailboat capsized last Tuesday evening, April 18. Chris Wearn '08 and Robbie Burton '08 were sailing out of Point Bay Marina in Charlotte, Vt. when a gust of wind capsized the boat, launching them into the frigid water. The boat subsequently turtled, rolling completely upside down with the mast stuck in the mud at the bottom of the lake. Having nothing to hold onto for leverage, Wearn and Burton climbed on top of the boat to stay warm and wait for help. Fortunately both of the students were wearing lifevests and were not injured in the capsize, but neither had a cell phone with them to contact help. A rescue boat towed the two in after people on the shore saw them standing on the hull of the boat and called 911.

According to Burton, the two sailors acquired keys to the College's Sailing Club facilities at Point Bay Marina from the team captains. They looked through the boathouse in search of team wetsuits before their sail, but discovered that the equipment had been loaned out to the racers for regattas and was not available for use.

The temperature of the water was marked at 38 degrees around the time of the accident, which put the students at a high risk of hypothermia, allowing only 30 to 90 minutes of survival time, according to the United States Coast Guard. "There was danger because they were not wearing wetsuits," said Hayden Thomsen '07.5, co-head of the Middlebury Sailing Club and leader of the learning/cruising team. "With wetsuits, this water temperature was acceptable, but Chris and Robbie handled it well by climbing on top of the boat."

Thomsen sent out two e-mails last week with an attached liability form to all members of the Sailing Club after the incident, restating the importance of safety on the water. Thomsen noted that anyone who does not sign the form will be unable to use the Club's facilities in the future.

The accident has raised trouble for both Wearn and Burton as well as the Sailing Club. After meeting with Doug Adams, director of the Center for Campus Activities and Leadership (CCAL), on Tuesday, the two students were suspended from the Club for at least the remainder of the season.

Burton explained his strong feelings about how the administration has handled the situation: "I was frustrated with the fact that Chris and I were both kicked off the team in a casual e-mail the other day. In a closed meeting, where no one spoke with either Chris, myself, anyone at the marina or the emergency technicians that saved us."

He also emphasized the importance of the Club making its liability policy more clear: "We believe that it is the fault of the administration to have not imposed a clear designation of the rules on the Sailing Team, who in turn could have provided a clear understanding of the rules to us. We followed every rule we knew of, using lifevests, staying close to shore, contacting the commodores to inform them that we were leaving. Any other rules we were unaware of and therefore unable to follow is the fault of the administration for not informing us."

While the Sailing Club is still allowed to hold racing sessions in preparation for regattas, it has agreed to postpone any cruising sessions, for learning and recreation, until the fall. "Although we are happy that everyone is safe and our equipment is undamaged, the club is working hard to make sure nothing like this ever happens again," said Co-Head and racing team leader Shannon Donegan '08. "We met with Doug Adams the day after the incident. We now require everyone who sails with us to read and sign a copy of the Sailing Club Policies in addition to a release form."

While the Club has always required members to sign a release form, the additional obligation of signing the Sailing Club Rules is a result of the incident. While it allows that only Middlebury College Sailing Club members may use Sailing Club boats, it specifically stipulates that the boats are for Club use only and may not be used for recreational sailing. In addition, the rules require at least one Club member to remain on shore or have immediate access to a telephone to call for assistance if necessary.

The incident has eclipsed an otherwise successful and promising season for the Sailing Club. Of the three regattas the racers have been to this season, Middlebury has placed first in two and second in one. "The timing of this event is especially unfortunate for the Sailing Club, given the growth and improvements we've seen this year," said Donegan.

"Aside from this accident, this year has been a huge success," remarked Thomsen. "We hope to finish this year up strong and not let this accident overshadow the successes.

Donegan emphasized the accomplishments of the Club as well. "We hope to work past this accident and continue the successes we've had this year, ensuring that all our sailors are safe, having fun, and learning."