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- Badger hit by a whale in Cabo. Tough day for the team.
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Penn Presents: |
Badger hit by a whale in Cabo. Tough day for the team. |
- By Team Bad Company
- Published 02/25/2009
- Fishing Reports , In The News , Latest Updates
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Rating:
Collision at 11:30am. 2/25
Not a good day for Team Bad Co... I feel like a kid with his bike stolen, sick to my stomach. Below are emails from Steve... Pat Healy from Viking said in all his years building boats, he has never seen an impact this major isolated to the front of the boat...
But it's just a boat, everyone is safe and that's all that matters..
Anthony
Steve's email..
We had seen Whales scattered everywhere all morning. Many breaching. One had jumped two days prior and hit a boat upon falling back into the water. We had just gotten the boat to 22 knots. 2 people on the bridge. When the bow was thrown straight up into the air. 40 tons of Whale colliding with 40 tons of boat at 90 degree angles.
You can see the point of impact in the pix. After careful examination of the damage , the only conclusion is the Whale was just about to breach. It struck with such force that Pete was thrown several feet in the salon into the aft bulkhead. If I had not been with my back against my chair I would have been thrown from the bridge.
I have seen several boats that have hit Whales in the past. Usually, you ride up on the back much as a boat going up on a sandbar, roll down the side and do strut, prop and rudder damage. None of this happened. All of the damage was sustained forward , at a hard angle to the chine. I can't begin to explain the violence of the collision. If I had to guess I would say the Whale was going to jump quartering towards us, almost straight up. You can see this in the pics. The fiberglass that is peeled back is from the hydraulic force of the water peeling it loose as we traveled home. The picture of the Port side shows the force of impact knocking the tube loose and punching a hole in the opposite side.( Note the fiberglass strands sticking out)
We were very fortunate to save the boat and not wind up in the water. It wouldn't have been a bad thing as several boats were around us. I would have lost 30 years of unreplaceable notes and all our personal belongings though.
Unbelievable amount of fiberglass forward in this boat. I can't belive how many laminations were in the stem. I don't know how the boat survived the impact.
Last thing. We spent about a half hour today helping a guy with a broken boat. Lending him tools, talking him through his problem until he was running. I spent my weekend on the phone helping someone else out that was having all kinds of boat issues and was stranded in San Carlos. Talked him through all his issues. It took several hours.I saw the guy we helped today, he was pulling his boat out of the water as ours was coming out. He looked at me shakes his head and says" All those people on the bank today, your the only one that came on the radio when I needed help. Of all the people for this to happen to, sometimes there just is not any justice"
I am sick right now. Gonna try to thing about something else for a few minutes.
Steve
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Subject: FW: accident pics Bad Co
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:13:00 -0800
All,
These are the first pix. The Whale, I believe, was in the act of a breach. It was coming up at a very steep angle and made contact with the bow on the starboard side just below the bow thruster tube. There is a hole the size of a basketball that is punched completely through the hull.I believe the tube saved the boat from having a hole punched competely thru it.
The yellow spot just aft of the tube is where the main impact was. It hit so hard it broke the hull on the port side as well.
The stem from 2 feet forward of the tube to 2 feet aft of the tube is crushed.
On impact the bow was thrust a minimum of 6 feet straight up in the air. The prop only gave the whale a glancing blow. There doesn't appear to be any damage to props, struts or rudders.
We were taking on water at a faster rate than the pumps could keep up , so I had Pete hook the raw water intake from the generator to a hose. We also had a condenser pump for A/c pumping water but it wasn't enough.
We were traveling at 22 knots when it struck.
I cannot believe the amount of glass in the stem. I believe any other boat would have split in two on impact..
Steve Lassley
But it's just a boat, everyone is safe and that's all that matters..
Anthony
Steve's email..
We had seen Whales scattered everywhere all morning. Many breaching. One had jumped two days prior and hit a boat upon falling back into the water. We had just gotten the boat to 22 knots. 2 people on the bridge. When the bow was thrown straight up into the air. 40 tons of Whale colliding with 40 tons of boat at 90 degree angles.
You can see the point of impact in the pix. After careful examination of the damage , the only conclusion is the Whale was just about to breach. It struck with such force that Pete was thrown several feet in the salon into the aft bulkhead. If I had not been with my back against my chair I would have been thrown from the bridge.
I have seen several boats that have hit Whales in the past. Usually, you ride up on the back much as a boat going up on a sandbar, roll down the side and do strut, prop and rudder damage. None of this happened. All of the damage was sustained forward , at a hard angle to the chine. I can't begin to explain the violence of the collision. If I had to guess I would say the Whale was going to jump quartering towards us, almost straight up. You can see this in the pics. The fiberglass that is peeled back is from the hydraulic force of the water peeling it loose as we traveled home. The picture of the Port side shows the force of impact knocking the tube loose and punching a hole in the opposite side.( Note the fiberglass strands sticking out)
We were very fortunate to save the boat and not wind up in the water. It wouldn't have been a bad thing as several boats were around us. I would have lost 30 years of unreplaceable notes and all our personal belongings though.
Unbelievable amount of fiberglass forward in this boat. I can't belive how many laminations were in the stem. I don't know how the boat survived the impact.
Last thing. We spent about a half hour today helping a guy with a broken boat. Lending him tools, talking him through his problem until he was running. I spent my weekend on the phone helping someone else out that was having all kinds of boat issues and was stranded in San Carlos. Talked him through all his issues. It took several hours.I saw the guy we helped today, he was pulling his boat out of the water as ours was coming out. He looked at me shakes his head and says" All those people on the bank today, your the only one that came on the radio when I needed help. Of all the people for this to happen to, sometimes there just is not any justice"
I am sick right now. Gonna try to thing about something else for a few minutes.
Steve
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Subject: FW: accident pics Bad Co
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:13:00 -0800
All,
These are the first pix. The Whale, I believe, was in the act of a breach. It was coming up at a very steep angle and made contact with the bow on the starboard side just below the bow thruster tube. There is a hole the size of a basketball that is punched completely through the hull.I believe the tube saved the boat from having a hole punched competely thru it.
The yellow spot just aft of the tube is where the main impact was. It hit so hard it broke the hull on the port side as well.
The stem from 2 feet forward of the tube to 2 feet aft of the tube is crushed.
On impact the bow was thrust a minimum of 6 feet straight up in the air. The prop only gave the whale a glancing blow. There doesn't appear to be any damage to props, struts or rudders.
We were taking on water at a faster rate than the pumps could keep up , so I had Pete hook the raw water intake from the generator to a hose. We also had a condenser pump for A/c pumping water but it wasn't enough.
We were traveling at 22 knots when it struck.
I cannot believe the amount of glass in the stem. I believe any other boat would have split in two on impact..
Steve Lassley
42 Responses to "Badger hit by a whale in Cabo. Tough day for the team." 
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said this on 25 Feb 2009 6:30:28 PM PDT
Glad everybody is safe. Viking builds one heck of a boat, and this is a testament to that.
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said this on 04 Mar 2009 9:03:15 AM PDT
From what I can see it was alot of damage, but I also noticed that from a whales point of view, with the two dark holes and the blue bottom, it sure looks like a predator to me. Maybe you should leave off the eyes next time around.
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said this on 22 Mar 2009 10:42:16 AM PDT
Bow thruster, not eyes?
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said this on 25 Feb 2009 6:58:12 PM PDT
Thank God for your safety. I am so sorry about the boat. It must have been a wild ride. Perhaps you can use the 82 until Badger is ready. Haha.
Take care! Doug |
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said this on 25 Feb 2009 7:08:40 PM PDT
Sickening feeling, you guys had an angel on your side. What a great tough boat and thank goodness you all okay.
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said this on 25 Feb 2009 7:15:21 PM PDT
NO WAY! how unfortunate , good thing no one got hurt! I hope you guys aren't to shaken up about this, sometimes it happens to the best of them.
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said this on 26 Feb 2009 6:28:52 AM PDT
thank God you and steve are alright!!! its one thing with a fisherman with no boat but its another a boat with no fiserman
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said this on 26 Feb 2009 6:37:00 AM PDT
Extremely well put Alex!
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said this on 26 Feb 2009 2:35:14 PM PDT
thanks doug i care alot about theses dudes
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said this on 26 Feb 2009 7:54:43 AM PDT
What a whale of a story! (Sorry!) But to you, Captain(s) Ahab, great job in handling everything so amazingly. We're all proud of you, relieved that you're all safe and and thrilled that you were on THAT boat...the outcome could have been unimagineable! Doug mentioned the 82'...maybe you SHOULD use it and christen it "Moby Dick!"
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said this on 26 Feb 2009 1:32:33 PM PDT
Unbelievable...good thing nobody got crushed. Word travels fast..in Philly at the Penn factory doing a tour and everyone is asking for details on the BAD COMPANY - WHALE incident? Had to look on JD's site to get details. I concur on the new 82'!
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said this on 26 Feb 2009 4:09:24 PM PDT
Steve,
You were only doing 23 knots???? Looks more like 43 knots!!!! Glad your all safe. Can't believe all that damage only running 23 knots. Dr. Hedley hit one 2 years ago running 28 knots and the Black Watch hull received no damage but ripped all the running gear out. Save the whales, hell how about save the sportfishers!!! Tight Lines, Preston Stofer |
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said this on 26 Feb 2009 5:03:19 PM PDT
Geeez, amazing as always. Steve, if it weren't for the pictures you always tell a hell of a story, i also heard on KNX1070. Glad everyone ok, boats can be replaced. When you get a chance, please tell us what your thoughts were during and just after the event, I think that would make a good article for other captains. When you spend that many hours on the water, what are the chances? If it makes you guys feel any better, if that happened to my boat, it would have gone in one side and out the deck! Take care, have a cerveza or two. Tight lines.
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said this on 26 Feb 2009 6:27:55 PM PDT
Dudes! We are all very thankful you guys are alright....however...any news on the whale? Glad you didn't lose the rig, or anybody else....saludos y suerte!
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said this on 26 Feb 2009 6:55:25 PM PDT
Very sorry to read of your misfortune but glad everyone is OK. Your experience as Captains is evident as this could have sunk most of us amateurs.
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said this on 26 Feb 2009 7:02:50 PM PDT
Steve and Pete. Glad to hear you are OK. Once again Steve, good job when "stuff happens" that endanger everyone aboard. Seen you perform well in critical situations in the past. If that had to happen, right guy at the helm. Should also add, right "lucky" guy at the helm. To survive that much impact at that speed so far below the border. Sorry for the trauma, but glad to hear no one is injured.
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said this on 26 Feb 2009 7:43:29 PM PDT
Looks like the hull is end core balsa, not soild below the water line? That weight savings does not help much agnist a whale. Did Viking really need it for the speed?
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said this on 26 Feb 2009 9:20:53 PM PDT
Hey Howard,
Sorry but the pictures just can't do it justice. You need to picture the whale, like in those Mutual of Omaha commercials, about to break the surface, but instead hits the boat. The force of that collision immeasurable. There was no damage beyond the impact area to the hull, besides the glass peeling back. None. The hydraulic force of the water between the skins is immense and this is why the glass is hanging. None of that is structural. The end grain Balsa you speak of is vacuum bagged and the resin penetration into the core is deep. That was what I was most impressed with. I have to tell you I truly believe any other boat would have split in two and sank. The issue is not that the boat hit a Whale, it is the angle of the Whale when the boat struck it, straight up. We had no damage to any running gear, at all.. Steve |
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said this on 26 Feb 2009 8:29:55 PM PDT
A whale of a tail. Glad to hear you are all safe.
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said this on 27 Feb 2009 7:34:29 AM PDT
Steve,
Sorry to see what happend. Brandon told me about it today. He pointed out that we could have been there when it happend, that would have been hairy! Glad you guys are ok. Makes me want to buy a Viking! Take care. Erik and Brandon |
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said this on 27 Feb 2009 8:19:13 AM PDT
Thanks Erik,
Glad you couldn't make this one. It may have been a good experience for Brandon to see how to handle stuff like this. You never want it to happen , but need to be prepared if it does. Still want to take you guys fishing soon. Thanks for the kind words. Emotional roller coaster right now. So much to do.... Steve |
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said this on 27 Feb 2009 9:14:53 AM PDT
I think this is why you want a strong hull and a stronger crew. If either were weaker, that boat wouldn't be on dry land right now. Glad all are OK, and hope we can all laugh about this one day over beers at the Marlin Club
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said this on 27 Feb 2009 10:40:29 AM PDT
I am glad everyone is safe!!!
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said this on 27 Feb 2009 10:44:17 AM PDT
UNREAL STEVE. YOU AND PETE ARE SUPPOSED TO CATCH A WHALE OF FISH. GLAD YOU'RE ALL O.K.
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said this on 27 Feb 2009 10:45:47 AM PDT
I would like to thank everyone for their enormous support and kind thoughts during this unfortunate event. As time passes and the shock fades, I am reminded of just how lucky we are that no one was hurt. I believe that Steve, Pete, and Elisio were in a zone after the collision and reacted with their natural senses after being at sea for decades and thousands of days. A catastrophe such as this will test any crew, including Steve and Pete.
When Steve called me shortly after the collision, he was so calm in his descriptions that I thought he was kidding. Once I realized what happened, I still did not comprehend the extent of this serious collision. Steve was so calm, professional, and level headed. Although I do not want to imagine what would have happened if this event had occurred 2 days later with my wife and 4 young children along, knowing that Steve and Pete are on board gives me the absolute confidence that in an emergency such as this it will be handled and managed to its best case possibilities. I would like to thank everyone for the emails and phone calls wishing us well. I would particularly like to thank Dave Brackman and TJ for offering their boats for my family to use in Cabo. Those offers moved my family and me. Well, the family trip took on plan B and we decided to come to the happiest place on earth. Yes, we are at Disneyland for the weekend and I plan to go visit the Moby Dick ride today. The fishing season is just around the corner, and now we find ourselves without a boat (funny feeling). But I'm sure we will figure something out soon. The Badger is a very special boat and I hope she will be back in service soon. |
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said this on 27 Feb 2009 4:44:27 PM PDT
Glad everyone is ok, but what happened to the Whale????? Does anyone care about the marine life? I do.
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said this on 27 Feb 2009 5:00:37 PM PDT
Roxanne,
I have to tell you, it is a sickening feeling when something like this happens. I have been on the water , literally, thousands of days and never had anything happen like this before. I can say, yes ,we do care about the marine life. This is why we choose to spend our lives on the Ocean. This is hard to talk about and that is why you haven't seen us address it. Besides it is an unknown. Certainly the Whale was injured, to what extent I am not sure. It was swimming away when I saw it last. I saw it several times in the course of a couple minutes. After that I was very occupied with the boat and trying to stay afloat. I have been described by crew as "over the top" when it comes to looking out for stuff when we are underway, especially when there are Whales and Whale Sharks around. We had 2 people on the bridge, with great visability in slick calm water. We make our living looking for very small fins sticking up out of the water and we are very good at it. This Whale came from nowhere. We were shocked to say the least. Sorry Roxanne, I wish I could tell you something better. Steve |
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said this on 27 Feb 2009 4:57:16 PM PDT
Steve; Dues have been paid in the past. Unfortunate for the boat and whale. Another story for the grandkids. Grateful no one was hurt. Look me up when you get back in the Temeku valley
Pokii |
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said this on 27 Feb 2009 9:13:39 PM PDT
So glad Captain and team are safe-Steve good I wasn't there talking your ear off or you may have been way up there! Nice work on the unfortunate-I know the big guy is relived you are all okay.
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said this on 27 Feb 2009 9:18:39 PM PDT
The crew of the Sea Sheppard is gonna be pissed! Expect a full blown granola attack by eco-nerds in commando gear and armed with notes.
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said this on 28 Feb 2009 5:39:10 AM PDT
A testimony first to a well-built boat, and most others would not have survived, and secondly to a great Captain, and maintenance. A lot of other people would never think of ways to get more water out of the hull. I think that you should have a new nickname - something like "Captain Sully", after that pilot who put down the airplane in the Hudson. You did an equally commendable job of saving the boat. You guy using extra pumping capacity from the generators and A.C. unit did some good thinking. Kind of like the guy who is having a radiator problem in the dessert. Most people would just plow straight ahead, hoping to make it to the first source of water, or gas station. The smart ones, like you, would roll down the windows, and turn on the heater full blast to get heat ff the engine. I would rather be hot inside a moving vehicle, rather than Walking. I am glad that all of you did not have to swim ! ! ! You are to be commended.
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said this on 01 Mar 2009 7:36:57 PM PDT
Amazing story. Amazing outcome. My dad did the same thing 30 years ago. driving a hydrofoil at 60 knots off San Diego. He lived and died an old man.
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said this on 01 Mar 2009 8:46:16 PM PDT
It is the first time I have seen this web page. Awsome!! Scared us with the whale. I am very proud to know you all. You are an elite group, surely the best in the word.
Warmest Regards, Michael Connolly |
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said this on 02 Mar 2009 1:29:19 PM PDT
Pete: We have more than one angel following this family around! Glad you're all safe. What a headache Moby Dick must have had.
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said this on 07 Mar 2009 2:10:17 PM PDT
Steve, Glad to hear you guy's are ok. I have come close meny times. I heard about this in Georgia,word travels fast. Again, glad to hear you are ok.
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said this on 08 Mar 2009 11:06:37 AM PDT
What a story. We were in Cabo when this happened but on a big cruise ship. Thank GOD EVERYONE IS OKAY! As a Viking owner it's reassuring to know how well built these boats are. 'Wild Wind'
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said this on 09 Mar 2009 8:48:55 PM PDT
Just pulled into PV at the fuel dock there, madness. Some guy saw my Bisbee shirt you gave me and said, did you hear what happend to Steve today. Every one in PV knew by 12:30 that day. Steve hit a whale with his new boat. yeah, thanks for helping me that night in San Carlos. you were just about the only guy I know that knows boats that well. I wish I would have stayed in cabo one extra day to help out. But God bless you and the crew. thankful you all were ok.
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said this on 16 Mar 2009 3:32:31 PM PDT
feel so bad 4 u guys
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said this on 18 Mar 2009 7:23:18 PM PDT
Nobody gets hurt when you have a great boat(like a Viking) and a great crew like you guys!!!
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said this on 06 Apr 2009 5:57:08 PM PDT
Glad you guys are well. Great job preserving life and vessel. What a story for the ages... If you guys have an 82' on the way, I'm only gonna feel bad for you for like five more minutes...
God Speed and Tight Lines, Capt. RSJ |
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said this on 14 Sep 2009 7:30:57 PM PDT
Fisrt of all glad everyone is ok, amazing story on my experince Vikings are built to last and yours is proof " Go to know" buying a 48. Many of you may recall the article by Bertram where a "think it was a 42" correct me if I'm wrong jumped over the rocks and survived but yours is testmament of what incredible boats Vikings are, Again glad everyone is safe and back on the horse. Good fishing and be safe.
Luis Acin Hatillo Puerto Rico |
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said this on 11 Dec 2009 2:25:38 PM PDT
Good Afternoon!!! www.badcoteam.com is one of the most outstanding innovative websites of its kind. I take advantage of reading it every day. All the best.
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