From what Charlotte wrote, it was a horrific situation before the rescue. It's terrible to lose your home and almost everything in it. I wouldn't want anyone to experience that, no matter what mistakes they may have made. I'm very glad they're safe. I think people did go too far in many of the comments I read, in addition to the ones she posted.
That said, I hope when things calm down, that they can assess what went wrong and learn from it. There was certainly reason for concern, just based on their blogs. I don't think any of us here could be described as "haters." Personally, I hope they can try this again someday when the kids are a little older and they are a little wiser. There's nothing wrong with raising kids on a boat with the right equipment. But if they dig their heels in, only listen to their supporters, and scorn any opportunity to grow from this, they have missed the point.
I agree with everything you said except one. I hope they never try this again. This couple, from their blog posts, message board posts, etc., appears far too arrogant and stubborn to be equipped for something like this. Again, for me it's not that they took children on an adventure. Instead, it's (as many others have said), that their arrogance made them believe that being ill-equipped and inexperienced didn't matter.
I keep trying to see Charlotte as someone who could benefit from this experience and at least feel some compassion toward her. But she makes it so HARD!! This post from February 24 on FB, venting about someone who suggested that they postpone their trip until she feels better, is unbelievable. Be sure to read the comments and her replies. Yikes!
https://www.facebook.com/svrebelheart/posts/671493816240128
I looked at the actual comment on her blog, and it was one sentence and in no way unkind or provocative. Charlotte took offense and questioned why the person would leave a comment "like that" anonymously. When Charlotte posts about suicidal thoughts and depression, people are going to show their concern. Her responses were over the top. Something is really off. I hope she gets help.
http://www.therebelheart.com/charlottes-blog/2014/2/23/i-should-be-blogging-about-provisioning.html
Reminds me of another infamous person's lovely online presence. Kate Parker anyone?
I believe the rescue team has already stated that this is part of their job. Regardless of the cost it is why they, in part, exist to protect our coast lines and those who get into trouble on the high seas. They train for this and it was a good opportunity to put those training skills to work. No one likes to see someone get into trouble on the water no matter what the reasoning is for the event.
I do think Eric made the right choice by sinking the boat. He could have tried to get the boat back on his own but he chose to stay with his family so I have to give him credit for doing that. For the most part I do think they realize how fast things can turn from bad to worse with a small child in such a short time. An expensive lesson to be learned but thankfully it was not tragic due to the help provided by the California National Guard.
This family lost everything they worked for during the past 7 years. That is a pretty significant lesson to learn. jmo
Yes, it would be. But they do not appear to have learned the lesson at all.
This is an extremely arrogant couple. They appeared very ready to lambaste others for making the same mistakes they ultimately did (and worse), and skewering those who made polite suggestions to wait, and now are accusing everyone who has criticized their decision-making, as conformist idiots. I think that arrogance is the very reason for the trouble they got into.
To them:
1. No one dared tell them they were too inexperienced when it came to open ocean sailing, to try such a trip.
2. No one dared tell them they might consider postponing the trip until Charlotte felt better.
3. No one dared tell them they might consider postponing the trip until their children were totally well and off medication.
4. No one dared tell them that their boat was not fit for such a voyage as it is prone to taking on water, and is very small for rough seas and a trip with two children and was jimmy rigged by the husband.
5. No one dared tell them they were ill-equipped for such a voyage, with a boat that had unsanitary conditions, without pot locks, without the size and safety mechanism built in to prevent small children from rolling into the ocean or getting tossed around by high waves, with only 30 gallons of gas, etc., etc.
Their extremely defensive and critical post-disaster comments evidence these people have not learned from this event and, coupled with their past displays of extreme arrogance, that they are unlikely to in the future.
If people want to risk their lives doing crazy things due to a deluded sense of grandeur, fine. But when they decide to take two babies along for the ride, it becomes everyone's business and it becomes very, very serious.
These people should never be allowed to take their children near a boat again, unless a professional is in charge and at the helm.
Did she say she used cold water to wash the diapers? It is possible they were soaked in a bucket in cold soapy water and she rinsed them in hot water in the sink. Even if she were to take a lot of precautions it is not preferable to wash cloth diapers by hand. Just way to risky unless you have a lot of bleach to kill the bacteria. Diaper duty would be a full time task. jmo
I can imagine how safe and easy that would be, to boil hot water on the stove, in a tiny boat, with no pot locks, that's rolling in seriously heavy seas. Oh,s he also had to wash out and reuse her sanitary pad as well. Ick.
