Please select your home edition
Edition
SCIBS 2025

Skipper rescued by helicopter after rogue wave sends him overboard

by Sail-World Cruising round-up on 17 Aug 2011
Rescuer winches overboard sailor George Rockwood up into the helicopter SW
The experienced sailor had a life jacket on (full marks), but no tether, when a rogue wave sent him overboard this week, leaving an untrained sailor as the only person onboard. This is a lesson in minimal training for casual sailors, and the value of being tethered even when the weather is fair.

The U.S. Coast Guard then rescued the 77-year-old sailor who had gone overboard, plucking him from roughs seas by helicopter at the end of a six-day sailing trip with his grandson.

Steven Rockwood, 19, said his grandfather, George Rockwood, of Harwichport, went overboard off their sailboat near Craigville Beach in Centerville about 2:30 p.m. The boat was about 3.5 miles off the beach at the time when it was hit with a rogue wave.

'It was as though I had vaulted out of the boat, because she gave a lurch with the sea,' Rockwood said, adding that when he fell he was concerned for his grandson, a Wisconsin native who hasn't done much sailing.

'I wondered what Steve was going to do. And very fortunately he threw me the cushion,' Rockwood said. He also used his cell phone to call 911.

'I have no idea how to sail the boat to pick him up,' an anguished Steven was heard saying on the call.

Rockwood continues with his story. 'And then I waited. I thought I might drift down to Falmouth and find a buoy on the way to climb up or something,' Rockwood said.

A Coast Guard helicopter spotted Rockwood, an experienced sailor who was wearing a life jacket, in the water about an hour later because of that bright orange cushion.

'Fortunately, he had his life jacket on and that really changed the story,' said Coast Guard Lt. Joseph Klinker.
Rockwood was plucked out of the water by Coast Guard helicopter and flown to Air Station Cape Cod where he was treated by paramedics.

'This case exemplifies the importance of wearing a lifejacket,' said Petty Officer first Class Jessica Castillo. 'Every time boaters go out on the water, they should always have their lifejackets on.'

The Coast Guard said the weather conditions at the scene included 5- to 8-foot seas with 25- to 30-knot winds, making it difficult for Hyannis rescue crews to ride out to rescue Steven.

'We had considerable fog and definitely some high winds out there,' said Lt. Bob Hennessey of Hyannis Fire and Rescue. Rockwood praised his Eagle Scout grandson and the Coast Guard for saving his life
Vetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTERPantaenius Sail 2025 AUS FooterB&G Zeus SR AUS

Related Articles

Canada Ocean Racing Acquires Foiling IMOCA
For Scott Shawyer's Vendée Globe Campaign Canada Ocean Racing is proud to announce the acquisition of a current generation foiling IMOCA 60 - formerly known as Groupe Dubreuil and originally 11th Hour Racing - Malama.
Posted today at 4:01 am
Bulwarks and Bulldust – new Vodcast Show launches
Join us as we pan for the gold dust, whilst sifting out the bulldust. Bulwarks and Bulldust looks at the serious subjects from inside the world of boating, but we don't take ourselves too seriously. The show covers off everything from Off The Beach to Superyachts, Powerboats to Ocean Racing, and the marine industry itself
Posted on 6 May
iQFOiL Youth & Junior International Games day 1
Unexpected breeze delivers a spectacular opening day of racing on Lake Garda The iQFOiL Youth & Junior International Games are officially under way in Torbole, Lake Garda, marking the second major event of the 2025 season for the U19/U17/U15 athletes of the iQFOiL Youth & Junior International Class.
Posted on 6 May
Transat Paprec Day 17
"An Atlantic Crossing with the Intensity of La Solitaire" They've proven that persistence pays off—even when faced with serious setbacks. Lola Billy and Corentin Horeau had to make a pit stop in Lisbon during the first week of the race to replace a damaged rudder.
Posted on 6 May
Night sailing, Transat Paprec, Congressional Cup
Night sailing, encountering light airs in the Transat Paprec, Congressional Cup We bundled up as the last of the rays sunlight dipped below the Olympic Mountains and night quietly fell on Puget Sound. We'd been racing for about twelve hours in the Seattle Yacht Club's Protection Island Race (April 26), and we were getting tired.
Posted on 6 May
Triple amputee passes halfway point of challenge
Craid Wood is more determined than ever, despite troubles during Pacific crossing Despite experiencing a number of technical issues with his boat, Craig Wood is now halfway through his sail with well over 4000 nautical miles done. He is feeling positive about reaching the finish line at Osaka in Japan in just over a months' time.
Posted on 6 May
Swan Bonifacio Challenge 2025 Preview
A record-breaking 31 ClubSwan one-design yachts representing 27 nations taking part The highly anticipated 2025 edition of The Nations Cup officially sets sail today from Bonifacio, Corsica, with a record-breaking 31 ClubSwan one-design yachts representing 27 nations.
Posted on 6 May
Zhik expands Danish Sailing Team partnership
Continuing for another four years as Official Technical Apparel Supplier Zhik, global leader in high-performance water wear, is proud to announce its partnership with the Danish Sailing Team will continue for another four years, as Official Technical Apparel Supplier through to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Posted on 6 May
Biotherm set for The Ocean Race Europe
Paul Meilhat assembles a team of winners for the event A little over three months after securing 5th place in the Vendée Globe, Paul Meilhat is preparing to set sail for new horizons.
Posted on 6 May
Australian Sailing CEO announces departure
Ben Houston will leave the role he has held for 6 years Australian Sailing Chief Executive Officer Ben Houston has announced his departure from the position he has held for 6 years.
Posted on 6 May