The Cynthia Woods, a sailboat travelling to Veracruz, Mexico for the Veracruz Regatta, capsized late Friday night, June 6^th, spilling the six sailors aboard into the water. The boat was one of nearly 24 boats heading from Galveston, Texas. The Cynthia Woods went missing around midnight on the day it left Galveston and missed its radio check Saturday morning. A search included two Coast Guard helicopters, a Marine Corps C-130 with night vision capabilities, a Falcon jet, and a Coast Guard cutter.

The sailboat was found capsized Saturday afternoon, and five of the six sailors were rescued hours later. They were found floating 23 miles from the coast. The sixth sailor was found dead Sunday afternoon. The survivors say the Cynthia Woods began flooding quickly and flipped over. It was well-stocked with equipment needed for safety, but when the boat capsized, the sailors could only find four life jackets. They took turns wearing them as they waited for rescue.

When the hull of the boat was retrieved, rescuers noticed the keel was missing. The keel keeps the boat balanced in the water so it does not capsize. This may explain how six experienced, and well-trained, sailors found themselves in trouble. This simply goes to show that even those who are trained for accidents may find themselves in a situation beyond their control. It also seems to show that the sailors were not wearing life jackets until the boat began to take on water.

If you have lost a loved one in a boating accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.