Laura Gainey RIP

I've posted on rougue waves before though despite logging thousands of offshore miles I've yet to encounter one...unfortunate news crossed the wire this weekend concerning 25-year-old Canadian native Laura Gainey, who was swept off the tall ship Picton Castle this past Friday night - she was on the aft deck when they were slammed by a 25 foot plus wave roughly 475 miles southeast of Cape Cod, MA. Last word is that the U.S. Coast Guard has called off the search - estimating she would be able to survive about 36 hours, based on factors including her age, her physical fitness and the water temperature of 22C. According to reports, the ship has circumnavigated the globe four times. The crew of 29 consists of 10 professional sailors and 19 unpaid trainees who sign on to gain sailing experience. Laura was the lead seaman in charge of trainees on her watch during the current voyage.

Who hasn't peered into the dark swirling water rushing past on a midnight watch and wondered, with a shiver, what it would be like to be watching the dim lights of your boat recede, leaving you to contemplate the horrifying prospect of discovering exactly how long you can tread water. God rest the soul of Laura Gainey.

Eternal Father, strong to save
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave.
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep
Oh hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.