On Wednesday night shortly before 11 p.m., Sharron Frey, commodore of the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club, sent out the following message via email: “Tonight, during the Wednesday evening race, on his Moore 24, Morpheus, Rick Srigley and crew encountered heavy weather. Rick was washed overboard off the transom. His crew attempted to recover him while calling the Coast Guard. They brought him to the boat, but were unable to get him out, at which time the Coast Guard took charge, and took Rick by ambulance to the hospital.

“We are so very sorry to tell you that Rick Srigley has passed away. His wife, Sandie, is with him now at the hospital. We are contacting family members. His crew is also at the hospital with us. We will share information as it becomes available. Please hold Rick, Sandie, their children, and Rick’s crew in your hearts and prayers.”

Rick was a 77-year-old resident of Pebble Beach who regularly sailed his Moore 24 in MPYC’s weekly Sunset Series. The race on March 13 was the first of the 2019 season. A contact at MPYC who wished to remain anonymous told us: “I heard it was pretty windy and rough. I am certain he was wearing a PFD, as they are required by MPYC for racing. He also usually wore a helmet because he had been hit in the head with the boom (in the past). Morpheus does not have lifelines. I do not believe they were flying a spinnaker — only white sails were visible on TV. This story was on our local news at 11 p.m., on KSBW.”

The Coast Guard, California State Parks and the Monterey Fire Department all responded, and Rick was transported to the Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula. Our sincerest condolences to Rick’s family, friends, crew and fellow fleet members.