Radio Amateurs Save Sailor

[Rhapsody-NS27]

I'm an Amateur Radio operator and been interested in sailing for a while. I just got this in my email and thought I would share with everyone. This shoes it's very good to have good communications on board.

The full article can be found here:Amateurs Assist with Ocean Rescue

"Amateurs Assist with Ocean Rescue"
03/23/2011
At 10:04 AM PDT (1704 UTC) on Monday, March 21, Rex Weinheimer, KC5AGO, of Stonewall, Texas -- a member of Maritime Mobile Service Net (MMSN) -- heard and responded to a weak and broken MAYDAY call. The call was from the sailing vessel Gloria Jean, a 30 foot sailboat that was in the Pacific Ocean about 120 miles west of Ensenada, Mexico. Weinheimer heard the distress call on 14.300 MHz, a frequency monitored by the MMSN.

[CharlieCobra]

Nice that it worked out. My question is, how exactly did he expect to make Tahiti if he didn't have enough supplies to weather several bad days just offshore?

[S/V Illusion]

The most interesting and probably more relevant to this forum is the last lines of the news release:


"At 10:04 AM PDT on March 21, Rex Weinheimer, KC5AGO, of Stonewall, Texas -- a member of the Maritime Mobile Service Net (MMSN) -- heard and responded to a "weak and broken MAYDAY call." The call was from the sailing vessel Gloria Jean, a 30 foot sailboat that was in the Pacific Ocean about 120 miles west of Ensenada, Mexico. Weinheimer heard the distress call on 14.300 MHz, a frequency monitored by the MMSN.
MMSN Net Controller Lee Langford, KG4DZN, told the ARRL that through the combined efforts of several net stations, the net was able to ascertain the situation and the position of the stricken vessel. MMSN operators contacted both the US and Mexican Coast Guards and both services deployed assets to the scene. The US Coast Guard dispatched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from San Diego and a C-130 Hercules plane from Sacramento. According to the USCG, the Gloria Jean hadno propulsion, food, water or safety equipment".


Hams and a ham radio SSB can even save the unprepared.

[sarafina]

This was the old man and the dog, and yeah, nice catch by the radio buff ; -)

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

According to the USCG, the Gloria Jean hadno propulsion, food, water or safety equipment".

A good example of what NOT to do.

[senormechanico]

There's another thread about it on CF.

This guy has dreams, but no talent to achieve them.

He's the same guy who lost another boat a few months ago.

Sounds like this guy is a perfect example of a walking manifestly unsafe voyage.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...aja-57430.html

[atoll]

whadya mean no food? he had a dog........

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

He's the same guy who lost another boat a few months ago.

This guy needs to find a new path in life... Something that doesn't involve water.

[Capitain Mike]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

The most interesting and probably more relevant to this forum is the last lines of the news release:


"At 10:04 AM PDT on March 21, Rex Weinheimer, KC5AGO, of Stonewall, Texas -- a member of the Maritime Mobile Service Net (MMSN) -- heard and responded to a "weak and broken MAYDAY call." The call was from the sailing vessel Gloria Jean, a 30 foot sailboat that was in the Pacific Ocean about 120 miles west of Ensenada, Mexico. Weinheimer heard the distress call on 14.300 MHz, a frequency monitored by the MMSN.
MMSN Net Controller Lee Langford, KG4DZN, told the ARRL that through the combined efforts of several net stations, the net was able to ascertain the situation and the position of the stricken vessel. MMSN operators contacted both the US and Mexican Coast Guards and both services deployed assets to the scene. The US Coast Guard dispatched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from San Diego and a C-130 Hercules plane from Sacramento. According to the USCG, the Gloria Jean hadno propulsion, food, water or safety equipment".


Hams and a ham radio SSB can even save the unprepared.

Like to hear the guys side. But good thing he had a radio. Never make a judgement until you have heard both sides of the debate. But then no one can judge. Who out there is perfect and not done something really stupid

[S/V Illusion]

How many sides are there to "no safety equipment"?

[senormechanico]

I'll bet if the dog could talk, he would certainly have some opinions about his master!

[Capitain Mike]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

How many sides are there to "no safety equipment"?

There is always to sides. and who said there was no safety equipment at all. It could have been damaged in the storm, lost overboard, inadequate or he was unable to access it in the storm. stay on the boat its easier to find than a person in the water. But he did have a radio.

[Greg S]

"If the Dog could talk" -- That's the great thing about dogs, isn't it? They don't care who you are; how much money, gear or safety equipment you have. As long as you give 'um some grub and let them stand on the bow and put their nose into the wind once in awhile they are your friend for life. And even if you sunk the boat, they would NEVER say anything bad against you.

[hummingway]

That's right. The dog would say something like, what a great guy, he feeds me, rubs my belly, he doesn't let me sniff his butt but I guess you can't have everything. Oh hey, did you smell that. Oh yeah, dead fish, I love it.

There was some intimation that the old fellow wasn't all together anymore. It's a shame and I can't say I blame him for being at the end of his days and wanting to just put to sea but it would be nice if he was well provisioned and prepared.

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by Capitain Mike

There is always to sides. and who said there was no safety equipment at all. It could have been damaged in the storm, lost overboard, inadequate or he was unable to access it in the storm. stay on the boat its easier to find than a person in the water. But he did have a radio.

The Coast Guard.