1 Dead, 3 Missing in Yacht Accident

Another tragic loss of life, I wonder, do those who venture out is sailing yachts feel safer regardless of weather conditions ?, with 9 on board, I assume the yacht was fair size and would have latest weather data available which would make it strange to be standing into possible danger.

What were they thinking?

I've sailed those waters (have a second home about 40 nm NE of there) and one does not make that passage without considerable planning. The currents are very strong (up to 5-6 knots off shore due to Bay of Fundy), shoals are everywhere (well over 10 miles offshore is standard to keep in deep water), and swells even on a nice day can be substantial. Lots of different currents (Gulf, Fundy, northern) mix, and its called Canada's answer to Cape Horn with good reason. And this is not a time of year to be in those waters in a "yacht" for any thing approaching pleasure.

So here's the scary part, from Yacht accident off of Nova Scotia's Cape Sable Island leaves one dead, three missing | News | National Post

"The approximately 35-foot yacht had been carrying nine people, authorities said, when it reportedly rolled, about 150 kilometres off Cape Sable Island, or Cape Island as it’s known, on Monday night."

Here's a comment from the original cbc article (the speculation is not mine... copied from the site)"

"people like to speculate so let me be the first

Roma, sailing out of St. Pierre or Miquelon. Both are French territories so the eastern europeans would be allowed access through EU travel agreement. Canada has become the new most popular destination of the Roma and are denied refugee status by the Canadian government, ergo more desperate measures."

I don't know how much accuracy to put into that quote... but it makes one wonder.

Hat's off the SAR folks, they certainly saved many lives and earned our respect!