NYC harbor clipper ship tour boat gets slammed by squall, crew member tossed overboard, two booms broken
Yesterday evening (July 3), I was a passenger on the 158-foot Clipper City sunset cruise. The crew had raised three sails when a storm swept across the harbor.
As the ship heeled significantly, an “all hands” call rang out and the crew ran with panicked faces to lower the sails.
One inexperienced crew member (a young woman who had been bartending) held a head sail sheet (line) too long and tight when a sudden gust yanked it with extreme force. It ejected her high into the air, across the deck and into the swirling and crowded waters off Brooklyn Heights.
A “man overboard” cry rang out but we had no ability to turn about to assist with her rescue.
Instead the aft sail boom snapped in two and swung wildly and dangerously above the deck.
The crew realized the danger and immediately switched their focus to the terrified 60+ passengers.
They handed out PFDs and escorted us below deck before returning to the task of lowering the sails.
Through the eye of the squall the crew brought down the sails. The passengers below deck could hear the roar of the storm and the crew’s courageous, concerted efforts.
The storm passed quickly and the crew successfully lowered the three sails.
Once the situation on deck was deemed safe, the crew escorted passengers back to the deck where we noticed the mainsail boom had also snapped.
The crew looked terrified and exhausted while the passengers regained their composure, in both disbelief about what had happened and relief that we were returning to Pier 17 safely.
Fortunately the crew member who went overboard was safely rescued by the Coast Guard and no passengers were injured.
Before we disembarked about twenty minutes later in a light rain and calm waters, the captain thanked the passengers for staying calm and called it “a once in a lifetime experience.”
The Clipper City won’t be sailing again soon. Many of the crying, traumatized children (and adults) may never sail again.