Urgent help needed to recover abandoned yacht NW Barbados

[masonc]

I've got an AIS alert programmed, if it turns up on AIS I'll follow up.

[Scout 30]

[QUOTE=RidgeRunner;2288484]I completely disagree. This boat will soon be drifting right through the Leeward Islands. If the AIS is still working, there is every reason to believe that the signal will soon be picked up by the land based stations, or by nearby vessels. We just need to help get the word out. Social media can be very powerful if utilized correctly. The OP has a lot of energy and optimism, and we should too. The suggestion to get out a BOLO to the facebook pages of any superyachts in the area is a good start.

I figured I'd get some blow back on my comment although I'm sure you don't completely disagree with everything I said. I don't think anyone would disagree that the OP should be thankful that his family is safe & a positive outlook will be helpful. That being said, the OP's plan to head out & "find" the boat without a fix is not realistic & supporting that idea is not in the OP's best interest. Of course monitoring AIS is a great idea and if an AIS signal is received or someone by chance sights the boat that's a different story. In that case getting out to the boat at all haste makes sense. It's just important, at this point, to manage expectations & not waste critical resources.

[allwentwrong]

Didn't really want to put any of the boat details or pics on a public forum in case any chancers try to stake claim of my vessel

[weavis]

I removed the detailed post regarding the vessel.

[barnakiel]

If there is no RT tracker, you are out to trying your luck. This is the most expensive method, unless you have plenty of luck.

If her AIS is on, soon she will be visible on AIS tracking websites. You can get her found from the companies that provide sat based tracking too. Just forward your MMSI and pay their charge and they tell you where she is.

If you want to pick up a boat, you should have left the AIS on and a sat tracker onboard. This is how it gets done on a regular basis.

Unless you have scuttled the boat, you should have had AIS on and nav lights on. Plain solar panels deliver enough juice to power these for months on end.

b.

[brownoarsman]

This is an interesting sort of quandary. No details on the boat in case salvagers get to it, but every day that goes by without a fix (assumedly) reduces the chances of finding the boat. So a high possibility of 50% or more back, or a lower possibility of 100% back. Tough position to be in.
Sorry for the musing, but at least it's worth a bump!

[Angellah]

I would contact the Antigua flight schools. Students just need hours and don't care where they fly. They may be willing to help out. Or, donate a few bucks to a flight instructor to gain some more hours by taking you up. Good luck!

[force5IWW]

We have an aircraft based in St Maarten and MAY be able to help you. Contact Sean at Island Water World - 1-721-544-5310 or 1-721-581-5830

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Angellah, & force5IWW.

[Tricolor]

More and more i realize that in these situations the AIS has its limitations. For me this event triggers the need of a Tracker, i considder to invest in a Delorme Inreach wich can give a position every 10 minutes.

Although this post doesn't help the OP but could be have its value for others.

Sent from my GT-I8190L using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[ErikFinn]

You can cover an infinitely larger area by even a single engine Cessna 152 or a 172 (~100-120 mph) than by a yacht. I'm not sure what rates are but I reckon about 100 bucks an hour plus pilot/instructor. Twins expect more than double, maybe triple rate, but speeds up to about 200mph. However, a school/fbo may have restrictions about flying over open water.

[Suijin]

I think your best bet in terms of expedience vs. cost at this point is to charter a puddle jumper for the day, go up with a pair of binoculars, and head for your best guess as to where she is. Still a needle in a haystack but you'll be able to cover much more of the haystack from up there.

[Alastair A]

I agree with aviation intention in whatever way this can best be achieved/paid. As a minimum I suggest port and starboard watch with wide binoculars and if possible a look ahead scanning watch (separate to the pilot). Best wishes and hope. A

[allwentwrong]

On my way to St Martin

[offpist]

We did the same crossing 2 weeks earlier and I feel your pain. We are now at Tobago Cays, probably to south but we would help in any way we can if needed.

Good luck!