Video: Crew Aboard Wooden Boat Rescued
[Updated] Yesterday afternoon [Dec 7] the US Coast Guard rescued two men aboard an 88 foot wooden boat headed to Bermuda, making it the third time the Coast Guard has come to the boat’s aid following rescues in 2004 and 2006.
The home built vessel was 100 miles southeast of Nantucket, Mass., when it became disabled. The owner contacted the Coast Guard saying they were taking on water, and reported other possible system malfunctions, noting a smell of sewage aboard the boat, according to Chief Petty Officer Jeff Hall.
The crew of the vessel stated they had two life rafts, one survival suit and a hand-held radio on board. Pictured below is U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer Randall Rice escorting the two rescued mariners from the helicopter at Air Station Cape Cod yesterday. [Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Luke Clayton]
George McKay, the owner and skipper of the yacht, had been bound for Bermuda, having left Salem in Massachusetts on December 4 with only one crew member.
The Coast Guard made the rescue at approximately 2:20pm yesterday in poor weather conditons which saw 25-30 knot winds with waves running 10-15 feet high. Both men entered the water in survival suits and were hoisted on board an MH-60 helicopter.
Raw Faith was designed based on the 16th century English race built galleons. It was built by to be wheelchair accessible, with the inspiration for RawFaith is found in the the owner’s oldest child, Elizabeth, who has spent most of her life in a wheelchair due to Marfan Syndrome.
George McKay sold his home and moved his family into a trailer, and he and his three sons set about building the Raw Faith. They formed the non-profit entity Accessible Sailing Adventures in 2000 and have been trying to raise money to provide sailing trips. The Raw Faith is pictured below:
RawFaith say their mission is to “offer free sailing adventures in order to provide a fun and safe environment for the wheelchair bound and their families to learn how to sail, meet others with similar life situations, and have a fantastic adventure.”
It is unclear if the Coast Guard will attempt to tow the Raw Faith back to port.
Update 5pm: The Raw Faith will not be towed back and is presently sinking. Photo below courtesy of the US Coast Guard:
Update Dec 17: Additional video:
I really feel strongly that Bermuda should have an International Life guard training and rescue service based in Bermuda.The facility would be supported by the US, Bermuda,EU and Canada and be an International training base for all aspects of Blue water rescue and wave jumping.The North Atlantic and International shipping lanes could have faster rescue responses because of Bermuda’s location. The Training facility would have a lifeguard rescue component build into the roles of the facility.
I agree with GO….maybe a BDA based USCG team wouldn’t have been involved this time around, but with an increase of commercial, cruising, racing/sports and illegal marine activity, this island continues to be a regular stop over for mariners for several reasons.
100% agreed. I wonder if this has been looked into at all.
Thank you Bernews
Hmp…good intentions…I know a Fire & Rescue bill is huge…I wonder what a Coast Guard Bill looks like!
Graeme is on the right track but logistics play the major role. Now if the US, Canada, UE came aboard it would lessen costs that run into millions each month, really. Just the Seahawks themselves cost millions and maintenance is ongoing 24/7. Fuel, range, weather, alternate landing sights, time on scene play the biggest role. Of course I am no authority on this but I have had experience in these ventures.
A similar idea was approached in the 70′s even when the US Navy was in Bermuda but since the US Coast Guard are part of, they are still a seperate entity from the Navy which they use as support.
Gonna take huge sums of money to establish a ‘Base’ in Bermuda and lots of support staff.
I doubt the EU and Canada will come on board and especially the UK. Of course there are many sailing vessels that transit Bermuda’s water and there are many that bypass enroute to their destinations. Ships don’t sink like they used to and really there are not many sailing vessels lost at sea in Bermuda’s area exempting hurricane season and ill prepared sailors.
Just a few of my thoughts. The US ‘OMB’ would be critical of this as they have many ‘stations along the east coast and support of C130′s that can stay aloft with return fuel for unbelievable times. Anyway, thats another story but I am glad that there are those that do think about these incidents with common sense.
As for the vessel involved, I would’nt take it from Ordinance Island to Powder Hole without a bottle of Sherry Peppers and a can of Dark and Stormy.
Fair winds……………………
Thinking of the main roll being an International teaching facility for wave jumping and Coast Guard training. Facility hardware and logistics on a scale that makes economic sense plus a role for patrolling our economic zone. It would only work if we got the main International Coast Guard services involved re funding and training plus a tie in with the Bermuda Regiment Marine Division^^
That makes sense Graeme but these facilities are already in place in each country/reigon you mentioned with support and fundings.
Not rtying to be a dick here. Your points are valid.
Understood but maybe other small nations or large ones might want to use Bermuda for training…Caricom? Nothing ventured nothing gained^^ Also being on the edge of the North East Atlantic…means that response times can be quicker from Bermuda for some rescues^^
Well…like they used to say. Go west…………..now you want to go south. Ther’s nothing there except Cuba with a few bucks……and hell their pretty good at rafts and stranding/landing in the US and getting sent back home…………………..
should all ships be charged insurance to pay for rescuce ? The rescues for commercial fishermen in storms must cost more than I can imagine.