UK yacht Cheeki Rafiki missing in mid-Atlantic

[mbianka]

Originally Posted by LizzieW86

A catamaran involved in the search has found debris in the search area BBC News - Debris found in Cheeki Rafiki yacht search, more updates will follow

Nothing like a few extra eyeballs actually ON the water to really help in the search. Hope we hear good news and soon.

[goboatingnow]

fingers crossed, Brits are tough

dave

[mbianka]

Originally Posted by LizzieW86

A catamaran involved in the search has found debris in the search area BBC News - Debris found in Cheeki Rafiki yacht search, more updates will follow

Might have been MALISI an Outremer 64 that spent two days in the search area. Another crew that deserves a round of drinks for their efforts.

I'm hoping that one of the on water boats/ships comes across the hull at some point and does a better inspection. Perhaps then we can find out for sure if the liferaft is still with the boat or floating somewhere in the search area.

[avb3]

Although some of the news sources mention it, I have to run the flag up, and point out that two Canadian C- 130 Hercules were and are involved in the search.

Our SAR guys are as good as they come, and I feel also need to be acknowledged.

http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/eng/CCG/SAR_Maritime_Sar

[boatman61]

avb3... in spite of some here saying they are *****..
I must agree with you..
Canuks are as good as anyone else out there.. just not as big headed..
Sis lives in Calgary...

[plato-gb]

Unfortunately they appear to have excluded the debris found earlier today as coming from the missing yacht. It's not clear from this piece whether they have picked up the debris and checked it:

3:50pm, Thu 22 May 2014Debris spotted in search for British yachtsmen
US Coast Guard: No debris matching Cheeki Rafiki
Last updated Thu 22 May 2014World



In a statement released today, US Coast Guard officials have said that no debris has been found in the search for the missing yachtsmen that "correlates to the Cheeki Rafiki."

A wooden plank and foam had previously been spotted by a captain involved in the search for the four British sailors, and the sighting was reported to the US Coast Guard.

“
"We take reports of debris very seriously and, at this time, no debris or objects reported during this search correlate to the Cheeki Rafiki."
– Captain Anthony Popiel, 1st Coast Guard District Chief of Response
Search teams have covered an area spanning 12,000 square miles since resuming the search on Tuesday.
http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-...cheeki-rafiki/

[DeepFrz]

avb3... in spite of some here saying they are *****..
I must agree with you

I am guessing that was aimed at me. I do believe that you misread my post. I was just repeating and referring to a news report that the whole SAR system in Canada is underfunded, understaffed and under equipped. The folks that do the grunt work are second to none in my opinion and often have performed in outdated equipment. A number of them have lost their lives flying old choppers that should have been retired years before. However, as I say, the men and women of the armed forces (which are only tasked with air/sea SAR) are second to none.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

I am guessing that was aimed at me. I do believe that you misread my post. I was just repeating and referring to a news report that the whole SAR system in Canada is underfunded, understaffed and under equipped. The folks that do the grunt work are second to none in my opinion and often have performed in outdated equipment. A number of them have lost their lives flying old choppers that should have been retired years before. However, as I say, the men and women of the armed forces (which are only tasked with air/sea SAR) are second to none.

My sincere apologies sir..
and it was a light hearted poke.. tho' maybe not in the best taste.

[Cavalier]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

...the whole SAR system in Canada is underfunded, understaffed and under equipped.

Sadly, I think that the whole SAR system in ALL countries can be said to be underfunded, understaffed and under equipped. When I receive requests for donations from either the USCG or the RNLI in the form of unsolicited mail, I don't ignore it!

When UK Border Force was established, they got all of the equipment they needed (RIBs, frigates etc).. of course, they have a customs and excise responsibility: governmental income opportunities sometimes appear to take precedence over saving lives. However, some may argue that the additional tax income from customs goes toward funding the coast guard.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Cavalier

Sadly, I think that the whole SAR system in ALL countries can be said to be underfunded, understaffed and under equipped. When I receive requests for donations from either the USCG or the RNLI in the form of unsolicited mail, I don't ignore it!

When UK Border Force was established, they got all of the equipment they needed (RIBs, frigates etc).. of course, they have a customs and excise responsibility: governmental income opportunities sometimes appear to take precedence over saving lives. However, some may argue that the additional tax income from customs goes toward funding the coast guard.

While I agree with your general comment that All could do with more funding.. you have to admit that for an organisation that's a Charity and operated by 90% volunteers the RNLI is bludi well equipped and manned..
One of.. if not the best.. SAR's in the world.. But then I'm biased..
just a shame the cut backs have reduced the air support previously provided by the Forces..

[avb3]

Originally Posted by boatman61

avb3... in spite of some here saying they are *****..
I must agree with you..
Canuks are as good as anyone else out there.. just not as big headed..
Sis lives in Calgary...

Missed you by a couple of days at Lake Worth. If you ever come to visit your sis, let me know. I'm about an hour and 45 minutes away.

And yes, we don't blow our horns as much as we should sometimes.

[SaltyMonkey]

Originally Posted by boatman61

While I agree with your general comment that All could do with more funding.. you have to admit that for an organisation that's a Charity and operated by 90% volunteers the RNLI is bludi well equipped and manned..

I thought the whole lifeboat coastal league was devastated financially recently and a large number of lifeboat groups disbanded?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

I thought the whole lifeboat coastal league was devastated financially recently and a large number of lifeboat groups disbanded?

???... 1st I've heard... the air cover yes.. but the 'Control Station' water borne coverage was just re-organised as far as I'm aware..

[SaltyMonkey]

Originally Posted by boatman61

???... 1st I've heard... the air cover yes.. but the 'Control Station' water borne coverage was just re-organised as far as I'm aware..

OK, my conceptual bad memory. Maybe it was this? Don't remember:

Radio charges may force lifeboat stations to close - Telegraph

[Cavalier]

Originally Posted by boatman61

While I agree with your general comment that All could do with more funding.. you have to admit that for an organisation that's a Charity and operated by 90% volunteers the RNLI is bludi well equipped and manned..
One of.. if not the best.. SAR's in the world.. But then I'm biased..
just a shame the cut backs have reduced the air support previously provided by the Forces..

I know! Maybe Prince William's training depleted them of helicopters..

.. if I was still living in Blighty I'd be queuing with the rest of them to volunteer for the RNLI: an excellent organization which should never be disbanded or merged with another.