Photos Released: Police Rescue Boaters
As already reported, yesterday [June 27] the Police Marine Unit rescued a couple from on top the submerged vessel after their 13’ vessel fishing began taking on water. The Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre has released photos of the event.
A spokesperson said, “At 2:20pm local time Monday 27th June, Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre received a 911 call relayed via Police COMOPS from the commercial fishing vessel ‘Sylvia 16’ who was reported sinking with 2 persons onboard approximately 1 mile off of the Oil Docks near St. George’s.”
“A female caller aboard the 13 foot fishing vessel reported that the boat was rapidly taking on water. The Rescue Centre instructed both persons to put on life jackets while staff worked to determine their exact position in the event that communication was lost.”
“Bermuda Radio issued a ‘Mayday Relay broadcast to vessels in the area while also dispatching Marine Police boat ‘Heron II’ from Barr’s Bay, Hamilton. The Marine & Ports buoy tender ‘Dragon’ and the visiting sailing vessel Catalyst responded to Bermuda Radio’s calls for assistance and proceeded to the suspected area of the distress in Murray’s Anchorage. ”
“Other private boats meanwhile were seen transiting through the distress area without responding to any of Bermuda Radio’s calls for assistance on VHF Channel 16.”
“After an extensive visual search using binoculars at Fort George, the Duty Officer located the semi-submerged vessel near buoy ‘1A’ in the North Channel and was able to direct the Dragon and Police boat ‘Heron II’ directly to the scene. The two persons onboard the ‘Sylvia 16’ were taken onboard the Heron II and landed ashore in St. Georges, while the Dragon recovered the vessel from the water and returned to Dockyard.”
“The ‘Sylvia 16’ was not believed to have a marine VHF radio onboard which would have permitted the immediate pin-pointing of the incident position by Radio Direction Finding, while Distress Flares and Smoke Signals would have similarly allowed them to be immediately located.”
“Bermuda Radio would like to emphasize the importance of all mariners maintaining a listening watch on VHF Channel 16 when underway in Bermuda waters and to ensure that appropriate marine safety equipment is carried onboard. Cellular telephone is not a legal substitute for marine radio equipment for a variety of reasons worldwide. In this case, excellent weather conditions and the time of day helped contribute to a fortunate outcome.”
Val…dee bleedy bowt hin sunk hor upsyde dahyn…jingus……Not SUNK……Wufflass reeportyn……
Freeking peeople kant ewen scale ann kllenn fish hin prohibitaid vawtarz…… Shut dahn dis site…..Yoo haiv hortority to show deeze fhotowz?…..Wur dee hal his Salt Frootcak e…….
What happened to the Marine Police in St. George. Do most know where Barrs Bay is?
Where the hell is Patch………………………………..
Get some help Bro. Your brain is burning up…!
@ Takbir, Tell Jake take yur boi Terry down south….and leave him there!
Why you guys always threatning people. Don’t you know this stuff is saved and your ISP et al is there forever?
Next you’ll say “itwasn’tme”. Lord.
“Other private boats meanwhile were seen transiting through the distress area without responding to any of Bermuda Radio’s calls for assistance on VHF Channel 16.”
Unfortunately, this has been the situation for quite some time. These days people don’t turn their marine radios on, don’t monitor channel 16, rely on cellphones for communication, don’t want to give up time to help somebody or just don’t care.
Sooner or later their turn will come when they will need help. How are they going to feel when they see others zooming past.
Seen & heard it happen. Many many times.
“Other private boats meanwhile were seen transiting through the distress area without responding to any of Bermuda Radio’s calls for assistance on VHF Channel 16.”
That’s pretty sad! With all the marine traffic you’d expect people would be aware of what’s going on around them…
One word to describe the boaters that ignore a PAN PAN distress message…NON MARINER