Drifting Debris Found, Officials Investigating
[Updated] Officials received a report today [July 7] “of drifting debris including a cooler, buckets and bags of bait” and noted that “while there have been no marine distress alerts received,” the Coast Guard and Marine & Ports were tasked to investigate and people are asked to contact the Bermuda Rescue Coordination Centre “regarding any persons known to be offshore in the western marine area who may be considered overdue or are unreachable through normal means.”
A spokesperson said, “At approximately 9:20am today Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre received a report from a local fishing vessel of a cluster of drifting debris – including a cooler, buckets and bags of bait – at a position 1.7 miles East Northeast of Chub Heads Beacon.
“While there have been no marine distress alerts received from vessels offshore, given the unusual sighting the Royal Bermuda Regiment Coastguard were tasked to further investigate using one of their vessels, while a Marine & Ports vessel that was in the vicinity was also diverted to the area to undertake a search for any further sightings of possible distress.
“Bermuda Radio commenced an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast on marine VHF radio channels and at this time the general public ashore are also asked to contact the Bermuda Rescue Coordination Centre at telephone number 297-1010 regarding any persons known to be offshore in the western marine area who may be considered overdue or are unreachable through normal means.”
Update July 9, 7.40pm: A Department of Marine and Port Services spokesperson said, “The Department of Marine and Port Services reports there have been no developments or new information material to this case. Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre has confirmed that active search efforts were suspended Friday afternoon from a search and rescue standpoint, and no additional debris in the western reef area was located. There was a report of debris washed up on a South Shore beach, while the information was well intended but discounted given the distance from the other concentrated debris between Daniels Head and Chub Heads Beacon. We appreciate the public’s support. We remain reasonably confident that no vessels/persons have gotten into difficulty offshore, but we remain vigilant.
“The Department confirmed that Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is operating, and service resumed on Thursday, July 6. The lightbulb was replaced by Marine and Ports staff, and a total cost for repairs is forthcoming. “
Always a good idea to mark the boat name on things that float such as coolers and fenders.
That is a good idea .
Just think how valuable such information would be in this case.
Strange.
As an after thought; did anyone collect part of it?
Coast Guard in custody of debris?
Since cellphones how many bother to turn VHF radios on anymore?
How many are sitting in boats non functional? They are useless turned off or broken. You can cruise right on by a boat in distress and not even know it.
How many go out without telling anyone where they are going or estimated return time?
The USN helicopter left many years ago. No more US taxpayers to bail us out when we do something stupid. We are on our own.
2023 Bermuda should be able to afford a remote control drone in stead of a pricey helicopter
Cell phones only work within the range of cell towers, something like 5 miles or so. Have vendors put up cell towers on the ocean? “No signal” is not an option on the ocean.
What are the cell phones numbers for rescue helicopters? Coast Guard? Civilian boats? etc?
We use a radio on our boat and also carry a handheld just in case the boat goes down with the attached radio or that radio malfunctions/dies for whatever reason.
On a dive trip to TCI before covid, our dive boat experienced problems, and naturally, we were out of cell phone range. The captain used his radio to call for towing assistance. He also opened up the bar which helped reduce complaints.
this is the whole point of the local coast guard no one should go missing or die at sea once they are able to make it into our coast guard’s range there should be assurances of a higher survival rate
Anything can happen at the sea. And the sea might uncover the truth years later.