Early in the morning of Saturday July 10, 2021, the Brighton Auxiliary Rescue Unit (BARU) were tasked to assist a C&C 37 sailboat that had gone aground just west of the Murray Canal. The skipper was navigating the night before and mistakingly went outside of the channel after missing a couple of the marker buoys in the dark. A resident called in the report earlier in the morning after discovering the boat just off their shoreline after sunrise.
The sailboat had a 6’ draft and was aground in 4.5’ of water. In order to avoid potential damage to the rudder by dragging the boat from the bow or stern, we agreed to attach our tow line to a halyard from the mast head, a method known as kedging. If done correctly, applying lateral force from the masthead, heels the boat over and lifts the keel off the bottom. The trick is to keep the tow line perpendicular to the boat as it moves forward under its own power.
In spite of wind and current coming out of the canal, our helmsperson did an excellent job pivoting the rescue boat as the sailboat motored back into the deeper water of the channel. We had a cheering section on shore enjoying the entertainment with one person providing this photo of the rescue. Chalk up one more successful rescue for BARU.
The sailboat had a 6’ draft and was aground in 4.5’ of water. In order to avoid potential damage to the rudder by dragging the boat from the bow or stern, we agreed to attach our tow line to a halyard from the mast head, a method known as kedging. If done correctly, applying lateral force from the masthead, heels the boat over and lifts the keel off the bottom. The trick is to keep the tow line perpendicular to the boat as it moves forward under its own power.
In spite of wind and current coming out of the canal, our helmsperson did an excellent job pivoting the rescue boat as the sailboat motored back into the deeper water of the channel. We had a cheering section on shore enjoying the entertainment with one person providing this photo of the rescue. Chalk up one more successful rescue for BARU.
In case of emergencies on the water, call *16 on your cell phone or 1-800-267-7270.
The Brighton Auxiliary Rescue Unit (BARU) is a registered federal charity and provincial not-for-profit organization dedicated to Saving Lives on the Water. Based out of the Bay Street Municipal Marina in Presqu’ile Bay, we have been saving lives and providing Search and Rescue services at no cost to anyone who requires assistance. In operation for over 11 years, we are entirely staffed by local volunteers and provide our services 24/7 throughout the boating season. Working with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and allied agencies including the Brighton Fire Department, 424 Squadron, OPP, Cobourg Coast Guard and Wellington Auxiliary Coast Guard, we provide on-the-water coverage to the offshore areas of the Municipality of Brighton, Township of Cramahe and portions of both the Municipality of Quinte West and Prince Edward County. In total, we provide search and rescue services covering over 1500 square kilometres including Lake Ontario from Colborne to the Murray Canal to the US border, Weller’s Bay and Presqu’ile Bay.
