Forum Member's Boat and Daughter in Trouble off of Mexico

[Greenhand]

Originally Posted by Red Sky

Air National Guardsmen launch infant rescue mission | www.ktvu.com

The most up to date time for rescue I could find.

Charlotte's blog has sounded pretty miserable most of the trip, but this is heartbreaking. Even assuming everyone comes out of it A-OK, the experience will have a strong effect on them.

[Blue Skye]

Very sad news, heartbreaking. Best wishes to Rebel Heart and family

[Sailing Cowboy]

Best wishes for Rebel heart and his family.. very sad news...


Calif. National Guard to Rescue San Diego Family With Sick Girl, 1 | NBC 7 San Diego

[captainbri]

Wonder why they csnt get him fuel

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[casual]

The only good ending to this is all come back safe and the little girl recovers. My prayers for all. The US Govt. can spend my tax dollars for anytime for rescues at sea.
As far as a fund for the Rebel Heart and family goes I am in. Folk's like him keep us dreamers going.
Dave

[Hud3]

From one of the news articles...

Now rescuers have discovered the sailboat has no power and no capability of steering itself. They’re working on a plan to get the baby and her family members off the boat and to safety.

Once he's sure his daughter is going to be taken care of, I really hope that Eric finds a way to restore the steering. It'll kill him to have to abandon Rebel Heart.

[oldragbaggers]

I am praying hard for little Lyra, and for the family. I know too well what they are going through, having had a baby with heart problems, only without all the added complication of being unable to get the baby quickly to the needed medical services.

Thanks for the updates on their situation. I will be praying for them and waiting anxiously until we all hear that they are safe and well and little Lyra is out of the woods.

[Cheechako]

Wow, sad to hear this. I like Rebel's input. Hope all is well. arghhh

[ontherocks83]

Thoughts and prayers for the whole family. I hope after everything has settled down and the baby is healthy that they are able to press on with their dream.

[deckofficer]

I noticed most posters to this thread know Eric and Charlotte, hence no wild speculation. As much as I've talked to Eric, my feelings are his boat was as well prepared for this passage as it could be, and whatever has happened he would make good decisions throughout. I'm very thankful that it appears he and his family will be safe and I hope there are CF members in the area that might be able to assist Eric in the recovering of S/V Rebel Heart at a later date.

For those who don't know Eric, this post shows his lighter side.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ain-76308.html

[Camo]

129th rescue wing tweeting rescue effort.

https://mobile.twitter.com/129RQW/st...04585125982209

Looks like they were about to take off just over an hour ago.

[Boatguy30]

I'll politely point back to a comment I made probably 6-8 months ago when I advised him it was a poor idea to attempt this trip.

I know lots of folks have done it, but I have extensive first hand experience offshore and with young children onboard. It is not possible for a husband wife team to insure a safe passage under these circumstances.

[captainbri]

It doesn't matter how prepared you are things happen. He wouldn't have taken a risk. Murphy is on ever voyage sometime he sleeps sometimes he doesn't. I wish them the best with no judgements. We all have stories some turn out better than others the difference is distance from shore. 30 miles out is bad enough 900 is a different game.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Target9000]

Originally Posted by Hud3

From one of the news articles...

Once he's sure his daughter is going to be taken care of, I really hope that Eric finds a way to restore the steering. It'll kill him to have to abandon Rebel Heart.

Lets say the boat was in perfect condition.

If your daughter was being airlifted by military helicopters from the very middle of the ocean and your wife had just spent 15 days miserable and constantly complaining about the trip, and your daughter is still seriously ill.... Would you seriously consider staying aboard to take the boat home?

I don't know, I don't have kids. But I do know family comes first, even if it isn't quite life or death situations.

So I don't think its quite so cut and dry even if the boat is okay, which I sorta suspect it might be. The media has a way of hyping up situations. I'm wondering if "discovered the boat has no steering" was because they were out of gas and in very light airs or maybe the vane wasn't working in light airs, etc.

But all of that is just my conjecture. I hope we eventually get a full account and I certainly hope the poor baby comes through fine.

[onestepcsy37]

i only know the family through the internet, but i believe they did everything to prepare correctly for the pacific crossing. and i have little doubt that they are capable and ready. had it only been been eric and charlotte i doubt they would have called for help just because of a torn drifter or bad weather.

but when you have your young children on board, even if they are well, it's not the same. any concerned parent would do what they have done. from what we've been told so far i applaud them for making the correct decision.

i suppose the best outcome would be that charlotte and the children are airlifted back to the states and the baby makes a full recovery from whatever ailmennt she has been suffering from. and that eric manages to get the boat back to land safely, wherever that may be.

fair winds and following seas, eric, charlotte, and their children.