Hanson medals awarded for Flying Scot rescues
The US Sailing Safety at Sea Committee awarded the Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medals to eight boats for their heroic efforts when a microburst storm hit the 2015 Flying Scot Atlantic Coast Championship, hosted by the Blackbeard Sailing Club, in New Bern, N.C., on Sept. 12.
A rainstorm storm was forecasted, but nobody expected or predicted the accompanying 60-knot microburst. It descended instantly, for a short duration, causing chaos throughout the 23-boat fleet. Many sailors reported having been trapped in lines when the boats capsized. These sailors were able to release themselves from the lines before drowning.
