I was navigating the R/P 77, Zephyrus, in the Newport Beach to Cabo San Lucas Race, then delivered the boat home to Los Angeles Harbor. We loaded the boat up with 150 gallons of diesel in Cabo, to motor sail the 800 miles north.

We motored with a small delivery mainsail up and no headsail. It was a nice calm trip from Cabo to Turtle Bay, where we stopped and got fuel. The weather was nice motoring in 5-10 knots on calm seas.

We were closely watching the weather through Airmail, and saw a big front heading south towards us, as we got north of San Quintin. We had a simple watch system with 4 crew: one person on deck for 2 hours, then 6 hours off. Everyone who went on deck wore their PFD and hooked on with the tether, day and night. 

As we passed Ensenada, we saw a storm approaching. We motored across the U.S. border, and were hit by the storm. The wind built to 30 knots with huge squalls, with heavy rain and gusts to 35 knots, and 20-foot breaking seas. We considered going into San Diego Harbor, but the wind and seas were just too wild. We felt it was safer to stay offshore, and head toward L.A.

I was down below in my bunk, and the boat started spinning around in circles. I put on my gear, woke up Don and Duane, and told them to put on their gear, and come on deck.

When I climbed into the cockpit, and looked aft, there was no one on the helm. I quickly moved to the helm, and found Bill, on the cockpit behind the wheels completely out cold.

I took the helm, and put us back on course. Don and Duane came on deck, and helped Bill. They woke him, and took him below. A huge wave crashed over the boat and he had slipped off the helm step, fell, and landed on his head.

Don, who is a retired Lifeguard, fireman, and EMT, put Bill in his bunk, and gave him a painkiller and something to make him sleep.

We changed the watch system. Two crew on deck. One steering, and the other trimming the main, and keeping watch of the helmsman.

What we did right: We closely followed the weather through Airmail. Everyone on deck wore their PFD and hooked in with their tether. We had a quality first aid EMT on the crew.

What we did wrong: We knew the storm was approaching, and we should have changed the watch system, and had two crew on deck, long before the storm arrived.