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Medical Evacuation on Maui Return

4K views 21 replies 7 participants last post by  casey1999 
#1 ·
#3 ·
That typo appeared on a couple of web sites.

It was an unnerving experience on several levels. The illness was one thing. Docking against a 1,100 foot container ship was an another; we destroyed the starboard sidelight, scratched the rub rail and deflated 2 fenders. But the evacuation was success; no injuries.
 
#6 ·
We tried to go around in July, but gale force winds prevented that. I came home for a few days before heading to Maui to bring Turicum back. I am going to spend the next month on dry land before teaching a couple of courses out of Sidney.

I have a great respect for the crew of the Navarino for diverting. One of my crew has some video. I will see if he can post it.
 
#7 ·
Wow Jack.. that must have been something to experience.
 
#9 ·
Now if I can just learn to spell. :eek:

Ron - can you correct that for me?
 
#10 ·
Re: Medical Evacuation on Maui Return - Pacific Yachting Article

This is the text of the article that I submitted to Pacific Yachting. The magazine came out yesterday.

In July of 2012 while delivering Turicum from the Vic Maui race we had to evacuate a crew member who was having medical problems. We rendezvoused with a 335 meter container ship, Navarino 1000 miles north of Hawaii. The experience is one I will never forget and from which I learned a lot.

Before he signed up for return Andy Dawes conferred with his doctors who indicated that that the trip should be OK. Even then he did provide a set of medical supplies, in case.

After departing Lahaina, there was the usual period of adjusting to the motion and the majority of crew did suffer from mal de mer and did have some issues rehydrating. This led to some further complications. Andy had asked that we stabilize the boat to deal with his issues; so we hove-to a few times.

On day 7, Andy approached me and indicated that his condition was not improving and that he did not think that the rest of the trip was feasible. I indicated that I would seek assistance. After I tried a call on both the SSB and VHF, I used the satellite phone to call the Coast Guard in Honolulu. After Andy conferred with the Coast Guard Flight Surgeon it was determined that medical evacuation would be necessary and that they would seek assistance from another vessel. We went onto a 6 hour call back.

Initially the Coast Guard in Honolulu contacted the Hanjin Vancouver destined for Long Beach. That rendezvous would have taken place 30 hours later, in the dark. Fortunately the Navarino, a 335 meter container ship headed for Los Angeles was available in 20 hours for a daylight meeting. We arranged to meet at 39° 10' N 150° W. That meant that we headed north on a beat.
We arrived at the rendezvous a little early and watched the horizon and the AIS for signs of the Navarino. The AIS was invaluable as we were able to see the container ship when it was about 25 miles away and noticed that it was not headed straight for the rendezvous point. After a failed attempt to reach the Navarino on the VHF, we called the Coast Guard in Honolulu who directed the Navarino to us. The Coast Guard initially told us that a rescue boat would be used for the transfer; we were then told that we would be pulling alongside to a pilot boarding point 1.5 meters above the waterline. Because the Navarino was travelling light the boarding point was actually 4.5 meters high.

After establishing radio contact with the Navarino we were informed by the captain that they would put the vessel in a position in which we would be in the lee. They would be maintaining steerage way at a speed of 3 knots. We lowered our sails and set up our fenders for a starboard approach. They set out two "balloons" to act as fenders.

I had seen what can happen when these situations go wrong and was especially concerned about the "suction" that would bring Turicum in close to Navarino. This was an unnerving situation.

As we brought Turicum alongside, the crew of Navarino dropped a line with which we could hold ourselves alongside. They also dropped a Jacob's ladder and a safety harness. Dave Maskell helped Andy into the harness, a process complicated by the fact that the harness had never been deployed before and needed to be assembled. We fought be keep Turicum somewhat stable and eventually Andy was able to get onto the ladder and climb up. The crew dropped another line on which we sent a bag with some of Andy's belongings aloft.

The rendezvous was by and large successful. In the process of keeping Turicum alongside the starboard sidelight was destroyed, the rubrail was scratched and two fenders were deflated. After Andy was taken aboard he was given a hot bath to help alleviate some of his symptoms and then provided a roast chicken and potatoes lunch. He then got some much needed rest.

On arrival in Los Angeles, an ambulance met the ship and Andy was taken to a hospital for examination. He was released and flew home the following day.

While medical evacuation at sea is a not a common experience, it does happen. Like all emergencies it probably needs foresight and forethought to ensure it goes smoothly.

We would like to thank the Coast Guard in Honolulu for all their help and Captain Athanasios Pagkalos and the crew of the Navarino for coming to our assistance. It is reassuring to know that a system like the Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER) exists and that fellow mariners are willing and able to come to our assistance.
 
#13 ·
Pictures posted. You indicated that you had heard about the evacuation when it happened. How did you learn about it.

Jack
 
#12 · (Edited)
Some photos taken by one of the crew, Maggie Snee.


Navarino on the Horizon


Harness being lowered.


Retrieving the harness.


Success


Thanking the crew as we pull away.


The stern of Navarino as we part ways.
 
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#14 ·
Not sure what the source was but it was right after it happened. Google News is my home page and I have two custom sections I made for sailing news and another for shipping news. It magically appeared on one of those.

Nice shots and actually it looks like pretty good weather for the recovery other than the swell I'm sure. Good work Jack and of course job well done by the boys from Navarino...cheers/hat's off. :)
 
#15 ·
Not sure what the source was but it was right after it happened. Google News is my home page and I have two custom sections I made for sailing news and another for shipping news. It magically appeared on one of those.
AMVER did issue a press release.

Nice shots and actually it looks like pretty good weather for the recovery other than the swell I'm sure. Good work Jack and of course job well done by the boys from Navarino...cheers/hat's off. :)
I learned that it is easier to bring a 44 foot sailboat along side a 1100 foot container ship than vice versa. We were in the lee of Navarino in good conditions; that really helped.
 
#16 ·
Jackdale,
Could you tell me what freqs you tried to reach the CG when using the SSB? I have SSB and curious how effective it is in an emergency. Have heard others say they were not able to reach CG when between Hawaii and CA.
Regards
 
#17 ·
I tried 2182. I know the SSB worked because we used a radio net everyday.

Having the sat phone and the number for CG Honolulu was great.
 
#19 ·
I was actually hoping that another vessel would be monitoring 2182. As it was the closet vessel, Navarino, was 320 miles away.
 
#20 ·
Jack, FYI:
I sent the following e-mail to the Honolulu Sector Coast Guard through their web site (note the answer seams to come from AMVER Team- not sure why):

Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2012 7:49 PM
To: OSC-DG-AMVER Team
Subject: Coast Guard Web Mail:
Category: AMVER

Subject: Coast Guard Web Mail:

Referrer: USCG Fourteenth District, Honolulu HI <http://www.uscg.mil/d14/>

Message:

Please tell me what Marine SSB frequencies you monitor 24 hours a day? This would be the freq I should use in case of a marine emergency.
Thanks

***Below is reply From Coast Guard sent via e-mail:***

Good morning,
Amver does not use Marine SSB frequencies to monitor marine emergencies. Sorry we cannot help. Please refer to our website though for more information on AMVER.

Amver Web: Amver.com - Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System - Home <http://www.amver.com/>
Best regards,
~The Amver Team

****
So the question is how would you send out a Pan Pan or a Mayday call?
Seems one is forced to have a Sat phone now days.
 
#21 ·
Thanks Casey

Sat Phone it is. Unless you want to send an email. :(
 
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