On 9/17/2012, at about 10:15pm, a 39' Uniflight auxiliary sailboat driven by (owner/operator) was traveling west through the Straits of Juan deFuca about 13 miles NW of Port Angeles. He had 3 other persons on board that he only knew by first name.  subject was steering the boat and is inexperienced.  A sudden wind gust and change in wind direction caught the jib causing the boom to swing.  subject was able to duck into the cockpit but the boom caught owner and slammed him into the radar tower.  He received a broken arm, broken ribs, and suspected back injuries.  He was eventually medivaced by US Coast Guard and transported to the Olympic Medical Center. 


There were 2 injuries / no fatalities.
Alcohol was not indicated as a factor.
There were no damages to the boat.  
All 4 passengers were wearing PFDs.  
The operator reported operation instruction as ASA Level 101-107.  He does not have a mandatory Boater Education Card.
Operator experience of over 100, up to 500 hours reported.
No Rules of the Road Violation.

Port Angeles                  