THE AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL
                                                                                                                  

For Immediate Release                                                                             February 20, 2007

 

U.S. Coast Guard Rescues Mariners

“The US Coast Guard received a 406 MHZ distress beacon with a position plotting 200NM East of Bermuda.  The on scene weather was terrible which immediately raised our apprehension that something was indeed actually happening to the SV.  We diverted two merchant ships (AMVER), and launched a C-130 rescue aircraft from Air Station Elizabeth City (ASEC) to proceed directly to the distress position we had previously received.  Another C-130 and HH-60 from ASEC followed once we were able to cobble together additional crews.  The HH-60 finally arrived on scene early this morning and was able to hoist two survivors from the capsized catamaran and transported them to awaiting EMS at the airport.  The searches continue today for the missing Master.”

The rescued men included one American and one U.K. citizen.  The missing man was also British.  U. S. Consular Officer Margaret Pride and Maria Nelson, Consular Assistant in charge of American Citizen Services, visited the American citizen in the hospital’s emergency room to offer any assistance.  Consular Officer Margaret Pride said, “I can only echo the American citizen’s thanks to Bermudian authorities and the excellent staff at King Edward Memorial Hospital for their assistance.  Everyone has been simply wonderful.” 

The cooperation between the USCG and Bermuda Harbor Radio on behalf of distressed mariners was, as always, excellent. Harbor Radio’s Ian Brooks and Dennis Rowe performed magnificently.  They “were instrumental in contacting a merchant ship which eventually diverted to the scene and assisted in searching for the missing Master.  They also helped to coordinate the landing and re-fueling of our aircraft at the closed airport as it was after normal work hours.  This again supports the notion that our working relationship is extraordinary!” 

U.S. Consul General Gregory Slayton expressed his gratitude for the fine service provided by all elements of the heroic rescue. He said, “I want to offer my personal thanks to the brave men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard who put their lives at risk to help others, the exemplary Harbor Radio team that keeps mariners safe, and those at the airport who did their part by opening the airport after hours so that the helicopters could refuel. As a team great things are possible."