Review done for Bermuda Race fatality

Following the tragic incident that occurred during the running of the 52nd Newport Bermuda Race, US Sailing, at the request of The Bermuda Race Foundation, Inc. as the organizing authority for the race, in conjunction with the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, convened a panel of experts to study the incident.

The review involved the yacht Morgan of Marietta, a Centurion 42, in which skipper Colin Golder, 74, (New Providence, New Jersey) went overboard and perished on the afternoon of Sunday, June 19, 2022.

The review panel consisted of Greg Miarecki (Chair) (Chicago Yacht Club), Ed Cesare (Storm Trysail Club), Andrew Clouston (SVP Programs and Services, US Sailing), Les Crane (Royal Bermuda Yacht Club), Matt Gallagher (Offshore and Technology Division Chair, US Sailing), and Jonathan Kabak (CEO, Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island).

After an extensive investigation, US Sailing has released a report on the incident which details a factual summary of the incident, key conclusions, and a set of recommendations based on the learnings from the incident to help make the sport of offshore racing safer.

The conclusion in the 18-page report summarized that Golder “was washed overboard by a large wave in inclement weather. We believe, ultimately, his death was caused by his failure to wear and deploy his PFD, harness, and tether. His crew acted admirably in returning and reconnecting him to the boat, but it appears that he drowned before they could get him back on the boat.”

To read the complete report, click here.
For an index of all US Sailing reports, click here.