Locals Assist Stranded Crewmen After Boat Fire
A number of locals have stepped up to assist a group of Indonesian and Chinese fishermen who arrived on the island with next to nothing after being forced to abandon their boat after it caught fire southeast of Bermuda.
The fishing vessel ‘Pioneer’ caught fire approximately 900 miles off Bermuda on Tuesday, and a rescue operation was launched involving the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Air Force, the Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre and the Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel K Coral.
An injured crew member is transferred into a waiting ambulance in St George’s on Friday:
Seventeen crew were initially recovered from the water by the K Coral, and six hours later the remaining crewmen were locating clinging to wreckage.
A U.S. Air Force aircraft was deployed, and para-rescue swimmers with advanced medical training were parachuted into the area to render medical assistance.
One crew member succumbed to his injuries, while the remaining 18 survivors underwent evaluation and treatment by the U.S. Air Force while onboard the the K Coral vessel.
The K Coral traveled to Bermuda and disembarked the 18 survivors on Friday, with one injured crew member flown overseas by the U.S. Air Force, while the remaining survivors are in Bermuda.
Audio of Bermuda resident Ayu Trisna-Simons who is assisting the crew:
The crew are staying at the Bermuda Sailors Home on Richmond Road, with various members of the community stepping up to help.
In a post on social media, the Bermuda Sailors Home said that “all fisherman are doing ok”, and extended thanks to Makin Waves, Warwick Camp and Major Beasley for providing cots, the Salvation Army for donating clothes, and all the volunteers for setting up and making donations.
Ayu Trisna-Simons along with Indrian Junianto, one of the stranded crew, at the Bermuda Sailors Home
CellOne has also provided assistance to the fishermen via donations, with the company saying: “CellOne is relieved to know that the survivors of fishing vessel ‘Pioneer’ are safe and secure here in Bermuda.
“With tragic events such as this, it’s important for family members to know their loved ones are okay. The least we can do is provide a way for the survivors to connect with their folks back home.
“Hearing a familiar voice or seeing their face can provide a tremendous amount of comfort – and we are happy to be able to assist with this.”
Ayu Trisna-Simons presenting the donations from CellOne
Ayu Trisna-Simons said that they have received donations for the men from Indonesians in Bermuda as well as Bermudians, and extended her thanks to the community for the assistance they have provided.
“We just want to make sure they are okay,” she said, adding that they “are in good hands.”
Ayu you have a big heart. Proud to be part of Cell One!
So glad they were rescued and that Bermuda is helping them out… A good story.. always good to read happy ending stories
Nice story, now they can take advantage of our Open Door Policy.
Rude is what you are, I can’t imagine how they are feeling, they have lost everything even their travel documents, and thank goodness there was a ship close by that saw the smoke, otherwise it would be a whole different story. Instead of being sarcastic how about helping them.
That’s not rude, its about taking advantage like everybody else is doing.
Well take advantage of our open door policy and see your way out then….
@ hadenough, not rude, ignorant is what they are
THAT WAS A SAD & BAD THING TO SAY:(. None, You included, know how their experience will be in another country or area and will be HAPPY if another people help them without shooing them on before in a position to care for them self.
ill take advantage of your back door! i mean open door… whoops, did I give you away?
Thank you very much indeed,Cell One from All Indonesian Community in Bermuda.
fishing 900 miles off of bermuda.. curious if what they were after was legal or not.. glad they are alright and people are helping them out.
I said the same thing.
Indonesian fishing boat 900 miles off.of bermuda doesnt sound like a fishing trip to me
Yes, They are legal.The company have an office in Trinidad,and one of indonesian ( Ayu Simons – working at Cell One) ,she posted this news in Indonesia.bm group ( Facebook) . All Indonesians were came and gave donations for them and also our local friends.
Thank you for the update, hopefully they weren’t catching anything that isn’t legal (sharks, rays, whales) considering the lack of monitoring and enforcement around bermuda is certainly a good area for that type of activity.
Again, happy that they are safe and that locals stepped up to help them out. It is always nice to see people help each other out in their time of need.
Don’t make a joke about this thing,better come and give support or donations like Cell One,Makin Waves, Salvation Army,and some locals people.The Indonesians Sailor Men working for Taiwan Vessel ,and they have an office in Trinidad.
Meilani Ritawi -
Matthew 6:3 – But you, doing acts of charity, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Think about that for a while.
And secondly when is your contract up? As a Bermudian, I’d like to apply for your job.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/indonesia-blows-up-23-foreign-fishing-boats-to-send-a-message-1459852007. This is how Indonesians do it at home. We are too afraid to even ask questions here.
Same here I wonder ez zone? They look very young I am guessing cheep labor. We don’t even have any boats to go out that far and fish. I am guessing would wont be able to sell fish to who ever their market is because it would cost to much for them to buy from us.
How far do our fisher men go out on a good day?
Thank God they are on dry land safe!!
Continued blessings..
They say the best fish come from Columbia .
Actually its Newport, Rhode Island if you get my “drift”…
Every year an impressive migration of “fish’
something doesn’t sound right here an Asian fishing boat in Atlantic waters?
Hi,there. I am Meilani from Indonesia and resident in here.The Pioneer Vessel is originally from Taiwan,and specially fishing in Atlantic and they have an office in Trinidad.So,they just left from Trinidad Port not from Indonesia to Bermuda.
You the official spokesperson for the company? Refer us to their web site with fleet specs etc.
say please you disrespectful C**t
Please? F**k you fool.
Treefrogs…
Saya sangat berterimakasih kepada pihak yang telah membantu sodara saya, disitu ada satu sodara saya atas nama Muhid.
saya harap mba Meilani bisa mendampingi ABK tersebut sampai hak-hak mereka di bayar, sebab gaji yang seharusnya tiap bulan diterima oleh keluarga sampai saat ini belum ada yang masuk satu pun.
info kontak 081999616334 nama sujarwo Team pembela TKI
They go all around the world catching and throw nothing back. These guys get paid next to nothing.
Allah -u-Akbar,,,, the first person or persons started out as stranded sailors on these Islands of Bermuda. It is most befitting that we should assist stranded sailors in 2016.We are a safe haven in the area. Following our legacy. Bermuda you do me proud. We need also to fish the waters around Bermuda more vigorously. There is wealth in our oceans. Not trying to sound Mercenary but it just makes good for more reasons than one. Government,,,, ,pay attention. Peace.
we need some of our young fisher men to start going out deeper and further. There is no reason why Bermuda should not be staring on the worlds deadly catch with that those type of fishing yields.
After we need Government to invest in or make at less one boat that can get out there in good time to give our fisher men peace of mind.
If done right this could help our economy.
Two words….Gas Prices
Two more, depleted fisheries.
these is always a solution. maybe we need to revert to the old days and start using sail power for fishing boats at less until we get on our feet. 1000 nm is only 4-5 days at 7knots.
that’s a business idea forsome one who wants it.
look for a used sail fishing boat. use diesel to run the frizzes and equipment how do all moving by sail.
once you start making money invest in solar.
No Takbir – the first men as we know (the Portugeuse) were chasing after “New World” riches – as were the second – the Spanish.
The English were trying to escape a tyrannical dictator – a bit more warming to the heart at least…
These men are essentially “new world” slave/cheap labor doing their masters bidding.
The three examples given are of 1. Conquest 2. Seeking a better life 3. Shyte luck…
The Native American Indians were aware of these islands long before the men in example one…but it would not fit the modern, western narrative of “savages” being aware of their surrounding world would it?
A BIG thank you as well to Digicel for providing the sailors with a phone to contact their families. All of Bermuda seems to help in times of need.
Bie stop it! Digicel trying to get some good PR. Stop it!
how bout you get some good PR for yourself and do something to help then…..
you mean CellOne
What seems to be missing from this story is when they are expected to return to Trinidad. I am very glad that they have been taken care of, but knowing the CURRENT persecution of West Papua people in Indonesia, I’m wary of them staying here.
#FreeWestPapua