caribbeancat
Well-Known Member
Please see report below of incident of immigrant rescue of the African coast. I also have a lessons learned exercise coming out of this which I will publish once people have had time to digest this post.
Skippers Report , Julian Bradder
Yacht Tallulah
Immigrant Rescue
29 – 30 / 11 / 2007
This report details the factual events that occurred from the perspective of the Yacht Tallulah 29 through 30 November 2007 during the rescue of 50 individuals aboard a small open launch some 300 miles off the African coast.
Crew Aboard Talllulah
Julian Bradder, Skipper
John Mackney, First Mate
Brendan Chase, Crew
Nick Casey, Crew
Cora Keating, Crew
Janet Murphy, Crew
Stuart Blake, Crew
Approx 16:00 29 November 2007
Crew aboard Tallulah, Stuart Blake identifies what appears to be a small boat 2 NM to the North of Tallulah. Skipper instructs yacht to adopt stationary position in order to take observations through binoculars.
Small boat heads in direction of Tallulah, Tallulah quickly identifies that this is a small open launch boat approximately 7-9m in length. Initial observations indicate that there appear to be around 15-20 people on board. The boat chases Tallulah. Tallulah does not want such a large crew to board and thus maintains a pace that allows visual contact with launch boat whilst not allowing close contact.
This situation seems strange given that the boat is 300 miles offshore and clearly the people on board the boat need help as they are waving and seem desperate. Skipper contacts Las Palmas MRCC, whilst crew arrange drop off of floating water containers together with note written in three languages, English, French and Spanish advising the crew of the launch that help is being organised.
Tallulah awaits a response by satellite phone from Las Palmas MRCC as to their plans in assistance.
Approximately 1 hour later, whilst maintaining watch, crew of Tallulah identify another yacht, ‘If Only’ some 6-7 miles off the starboard bow. The yacht is under sail and is making slow progress. After failing to make radio contact with If Only, Tallulah Skipper and 1st Mate make decision to intercept the yacht to advise them of the situation.
Whilst motoring towards If Only, Tallulah once again contacts Las Palmas MRCC who advise that Tenerife MRCC will be managing the situation. Tallulah also puts out a PAN PAN All Ships at this time.
The launch has clearly recognised that Tallulah does not intend to allow the boarding of crew from the launch and that Tallulah is capable of out-running the launch. Consequently, just before Tallulah heads for If Only, the launch, after collecting the water provided by Tallulah heads towards If Only.
Tallulah arrives at If Only’s position around 10-15 minutes before the launch and advise the crew aboard the yacht of the position. If Only is only making 4.5kts under sail and the Skipper advises that it is unlikely that it could navigate at a higher speed under engine. It is therefore concluded that If Only is vulnerable to boarding. However it is concluded at this time that If Only may be difficult to board owing to having a high freeboard although its slow speed still left it open to attempts. However, Tallulah is vulnerable to boarding owing to a relatively low freeboard and two large sugar scoops at the stern.
Around dusk, the crew of the launch arrives and Tallulah maintain a close position, Tallulah attempting to guard If Only from boarding by crew of the launch. As night approaches, this becomes an increasingly difficult exercise and presents risks to crew aboard all boats involved. It is agreed between If Only and Tallulah to stand a distance apart from one another, maintain radio contact and to occasionally darken ship to make it more difficult for the launch to board the yacht If Only. There are difficult decisions to be made for both yachts here, vis a vis balancing the need to maintain a visual with the launch boat and in protecting the safety of the crew aboard both yachts particularly with darkness fast approaching and a moon not expected until significantly later in the evening.
It is agreed between the two yachts that Tallulah will maintain course and speed of If Only at a distance of approximately 0.5 – 1 mile.
At around 19:000 UTC we are advised by If Only that two crew from the launch have boarded by jumping onto the davits of If Only. If Only are now very frightened indeed and their stress is audible during radio communications. Tallulah now makes the decision to step up pressure upon the MRCC for definition of a plan to resolve the situation.
Tallulah calls Tenerife MRCC, seeking advice in respect of the plan. We are advised that Tenerife MRCC is despatching a vessel, Luz de Mar and that its arrival is approximately 30 hours away. Later this estimate becomes 3 days! Tallulah expresses concern at the length of time this is taking and considers that there is risk to life aboard all the vessels currently involved and therefore asks Tenerife if they have attempted any kind of All Ships contact to identify whether or not a more suitable (than a yacht) rescue vessel is in the vicinity that may be able to help. Tenerife MRCC advises that they have not attempted this. Tallulah therefore suggests that Tallulah should issue another PAN PAN call from its locality. Tenerife agrees that this is a good idea. Initially, this is done verbally by both VHF and SSB. There is no response from these PAN PAN’s and thus Tallulah then elects to issue a DSC distress alert via SSB and VHF.
Whilst this is occurring, If Only is enduring repeated attempts at boarding the vessel, and has to restrain the two crew who have boarded the vessel. If Only are having to adopt various strategies to prevent a mass boarding of their vessel. If Only clearly needs assistance of Tallulah due to a lack of long range communication devices. They have a Sat Phone but credit is reduced to around 10 – 15 minutes whilst the only other means of communication they have is a VHF. It is agreed between Tallulah and If Only that Tallulah will become the local co-ordination vessel owing to its fit of SSB, Sat Phone and VHF.
The DSC alert issued by SSB is heard by a number of ships as we hear DSC alarms coming through from various vessel bridges although Tallulah cannot decipher verbal transmissions received by a number of vessels. However, on radar we identify what appears to be a large vessel approaching our position. It does however seem reluctant to approach and thus Tallulah releases a red parachute flare to allow the vessel to pinpoint Tallulah’s position. At this time we are approximately 1-2 miles from If Only’s position.
We approach the other vessel which is a fishing vessel of approximately 20 – 25 metres in length. We ask them for assistance and they advise that they will not assist as it will cost them a days work.
Around this time, we are contacted by Andrew Bishop of World Cruising Club who advises that he has received a response from Falmouth MRCC that they have received a DSC call from our yacht. Whilst the conversation is difficult owing to a poor Sat Phone link Tallulah appraises Andrew of the situation as best as possible before the phone link breaks.
Tallulah makes a further call to Tenerife MRCC to find out what success they were having in improving the 30 hour situation. We are advised that the 30 hour situation has become a 20 hour situation now and are requested to head North.
Heading North is difficult as it is upwind (of particular consideration to If Only owing to boarding attempts, and necessity to sail upwind due to a weak engine) therefore If Only maintains her course.
Around this time, Yacht Flute calls in and agrees to maintain a standby position should we need assistance. Although very lightly crewed, at this stage, we gratefully accept Flute’s offer, feeling that a show of strength in numbers may help to pacify the clearly desperate immigrant launch.
Tallulah continually requests position updates from If Only and then sets to work upon communicating with the authorities in respect of managing the rescue.
I cannot recollect whether Falmouth Coastguard contacted us or we contacted them however, I express our concerns over the speed of response that Tenerife MRCC are able to deliver to Falmouth Coastguard. After a lengthy conversation, Falmouth Coastguard advise that they will talk more to TMRCC and that they will also make a representation to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office back in the UK.
We are all aware from news back in the UK and from advice given from the ARC that the ‘small boat immigrant’ issue is a significant problem to the Canary Islands administration.
However, contrary to the claim made on the ARC website, there is no patrol vessel in the locality that is able to respond quickly. Given the threat to lives of migrants, yachts such as our own and other shipping, I can only question whether the Spanish authorities are doing enough to protect everybody’s interests.
I update If Only of this position. Shortly afterwards, If Only call again, now appearing terrified and very weary in respect of the repeated attempts at boarding. We make best attempts to calm and comfort If Only advising that we are continuing to do what we can to speed the resolution of the situation.
Around this time, crew have prepared dinner and it is agreed that Skipper and First Mate will maintain two larger watches through the night, maintaining a bow watch for the launch, a communications watch and a steering watch.
Soon after this, we are contacted by Tenerife MRCC that they have made contact with a fishing vessel, Pinillo Primario. We are advised to operate SSB 4146.0Khz as a working channel as both Pinillio Primario and Luz de Mar will be operating on these frequencies.
I attempt to contact these vessels via SSB but there is a language barrier and I hear a conversation between Luz de Mar and Pinillo Primario and make out ‘No hablo Ingles’. Clearly we have difficulty communicating and neither Luz de Mar or Pinillo Primario respond to my calls despite the fact that they are able to hear me clearly, presumably because they felt they could make little progress with the language barrier in place.
The time is now around 00:00 UTC. I call Tenerife MRCC who must now act as liaison between us, Luz de Mar and Pinillo Primario. I get an updated position, course and speed from If Only and provide this and our own relevant information to Tenerfie MRCC. Who then pass this information across to the Pinillo Primario. I agree with TMRCC an hourly telephone call, requesting that they call us due to the heavy use of minutes on our own phone by this time.
Falmouth MRCC now call me and appraise me of their understanding of the situation and I provide them with an update of the local activity.
We maintain radio contact with If Only, assessing their safety, well being, course, position etc. Flute also maintains radio contact during this period. After some time, I advise Flute that she is released and should continue her journey as with only a small crew on board, there is little she could do to assist and also that she exposes herself to vulnerabilities.
Around 1:00 AM, it occurs to me that one of our crew members, Cora Keating speaks some Spanish and I awake her and ask her to attempt contact with Pinillo Primario. This proves successful, and we are now able to adopt a central communication role between ourselves, the fishing boat and If Only. Tallulah adopts a position relay from If Only to the Spanish Fishing Vessel over VHF. At this time, a rendezvous between Tallulah and Pinillo Primario is agreed. Upon rendezvous, Tallulah would then take the fishing vessel to If Only’s position.
A little after this, further contact is made with TMRCC. The plan is agreed that all vessels will converge and at dawn whereupon the rescue will be affected.
Concern arises again as a result of If Only’s course due South, as the Pinillo Primario is only able to make a speed of 7.5 to 8 kts. At around 2:30AM, Tallulah agrees to adopt a northerly course to accelerate the rendezvous with Pinillo Primario. We advise If Only of the situation and agree 15 minute position updates should we lose VHF contact (the range would separate the vessels by in excess of 30 miles).
Luckily around this time, Sailing Vessel ‘Salt Whitle’ calls Tallulah and asks if she can assist. At this time, her position is a midway position between If Only and the Fishing Vessel so I therefore request if she will act as a VHF Relay vessel. She duly agrees to this and maintains watch. At this time, I request that all vessels adopt Channel 16 as the communication channel and request radio silence unless the situation is urgent or a call is made by Tallulah as we are now co-ordinating all the boats involved.
The fishing vessel continues to strengthen its concern over If Only’s course and a further call from TMRCC reinforces this message. Fearing the loss of the fishing vessels co-operation, I agree to discuss If Only’s course with them, and whilst them not wanting to sail dead in the water, or significantly more slowly, it is agreed that If Only will sail a reciprocal beam reach course to 030 degrees at 3.5 to 4kts to the one that they are currently sailing. Once they complete the adjustment of course, I continue to get regular course and position updates.
We then receive a call from If Only advising that there has been an aggressive attempt to board If Only. If Only advise that they have thrown a floating line towards the launch in an attempt to disable them. They think that the line may have fouled the propeller of the launch as the launch has now disappeared from view. Understandably, the crew of If Only are now very weary and very frightened. If Only have taken a position of the incident and we mark this position in our log and as a waypoint in our GPS. At the time, we are within 2 miles of this position so maintain a very careful bow watch. We are now concerned about a disabled vessel lost at sea. I put out an all stations advising of the situation and requesting a sharp look out from all ships. I make regular radio contact with If Only asking for sightings of the launch together with the other regular updates.
At this time, I also contact TMRCC and advise them that if they had cancelled the AM aircraft fly over, that they may wish to consider launching it again owing to the now unknown location of the launch.
With the aforementioned change of If Only’s course, we call Pinillo Primario and agree that a rendezvous at If Only’s location is the most useful course of action. The Skipper of Pinillo Primario appears a little confused in respect of everybody’s location, particularly ours. We therefore agree to launch a red parachute flare in order that they can clearly identify our position. I advise All Stations of the intention and we thus release the flare. This gave the Skipper clear and immediate identification of our position and we all resumed course to rendezvous with If Only.
Around this time, I release Salt Whitle from participation and thank them, wishing them a good journey.
Danish Cargo Ship, Loren L’Oritzen, on route from Natal, Brazil to Vigo, Spain listens in and calls Tallulah. Loren L’Oritzen’s position is close to If Only and we agree to Loren L’Oritzen offer to stand by If Only, feeling that the presence of a large ship would help to comfort the crew aboard the launch as well as comfort those aboard If Only.
Two yachts then called in advising that they had seen the flare, and we were able to advise them of the situation and ask them to stand by on VHF 16.
Further communication reveals that Loren L’Oritzen had become confused because by this time Sea Whitle and If Only had very similar locations. They had been standing by Sea Whitle. Once this was updated, Loren L’Oritzen adjusted course to standby If Only.
We we’re now in a position of regularly updating all vessels on positions, ETA’s etc as well as managing the final approach.
At around 4:00AM If Only advised that they now had view of the launch again, which was a relief in that we would not need to launch a SAR for the launch.
Around 5:30 Tallulah arrived on the scene of the incident. Loren L’Oritzen was on station and because of Loren L’Oritzen’s ability to see the small launch using her powerful radar we were able to mange the position of all the vessels and thus we were able to minimise the risk of accidentally sinking the launch.
As the fishing vessel was now around 1 hour behind us, all vessels then agreed to rendezvous at the fishing vessel. We shine a search torch across our stern to indicate to the launch to follow and set off in the direction of the fishing vessel with whom we quickly had visual on their lights.
Loren L’Oritzen, clearly under pressure then requested when I would release her. I advised that I would like her to remain until twilight because of the benefits of her radar. She agreed to this, and I contacted Tenerife MRCC to advise. At this time they were happy with this.
Tallulah, If Only, Pinillo Primario and the launch all rendezvous just before dawn. Whilst Loren L’Oritzen gave continuous position updates as to the launches position in order that we do not run them down.
The launch at this time comes into everybody’s view and we circle them. I think that by this point the crew of the launch now clearly understood that rescue was imminent.
We continued liaison with TMRCC and acted as channel of communication to the fishing vessel, Loren L’Oritzen and If Only. As dawn broke, Pinillo Primario affected first the transfer of the two who boarded If Only and then (presumably to offer dignity to the two dead people aboard) towed the launch a distance away and the persons aboard the launch boarded the Pinillo Primario.
TMRCC called us and advised us that we were released. I confirmed that Loren L’Oritzen and If Only were also released and advised each vessel accordingly. We shared warm words over the VHF and each vessel then resumed course after collecting an up to date weather forecast from Loren L’Oritzen.
Our understanding is that 50 peoples lives were saved whilst regrettably, 2 people within the launch were dead.
We have since been contacted by Spanish media and our Spanish speaking crew member conducted a live radio interview on the evening of 30/11/07.
Whilst this is a factual account of events, as Skipper, I feel that there are numerous important lessons to be learned from this exercise for those of us directly involved, World Cruising Club, the yachting fraternity in general and the authorities. I thus welcome an open and frank discussion on this event once we are all back on dry land.
Skippers Report , Julian Bradder
Yacht Tallulah
Immigrant Rescue
29 – 30 / 11 / 2007
This report details the factual events that occurred from the perspective of the Yacht Tallulah 29 through 30 November 2007 during the rescue of 50 individuals aboard a small open launch some 300 miles off the African coast.
Crew Aboard Talllulah
Julian Bradder, Skipper
John Mackney, First Mate
Brendan Chase, Crew
Nick Casey, Crew
Cora Keating, Crew
Janet Murphy, Crew
Stuart Blake, Crew
Approx 16:00 29 November 2007
Crew aboard Tallulah, Stuart Blake identifies what appears to be a small boat 2 NM to the North of Tallulah. Skipper instructs yacht to adopt stationary position in order to take observations through binoculars.
Small boat heads in direction of Tallulah, Tallulah quickly identifies that this is a small open launch boat approximately 7-9m in length. Initial observations indicate that there appear to be around 15-20 people on board. The boat chases Tallulah. Tallulah does not want such a large crew to board and thus maintains a pace that allows visual contact with launch boat whilst not allowing close contact.
This situation seems strange given that the boat is 300 miles offshore and clearly the people on board the boat need help as they are waving and seem desperate. Skipper contacts Las Palmas MRCC, whilst crew arrange drop off of floating water containers together with note written in three languages, English, French and Spanish advising the crew of the launch that help is being organised.
Tallulah awaits a response by satellite phone from Las Palmas MRCC as to their plans in assistance.
Approximately 1 hour later, whilst maintaining watch, crew of Tallulah identify another yacht, ‘If Only’ some 6-7 miles off the starboard bow. The yacht is under sail and is making slow progress. After failing to make radio contact with If Only, Tallulah Skipper and 1st Mate make decision to intercept the yacht to advise them of the situation.
Whilst motoring towards If Only, Tallulah once again contacts Las Palmas MRCC who advise that Tenerife MRCC will be managing the situation. Tallulah also puts out a PAN PAN All Ships at this time.
The launch has clearly recognised that Tallulah does not intend to allow the boarding of crew from the launch and that Tallulah is capable of out-running the launch. Consequently, just before Tallulah heads for If Only, the launch, after collecting the water provided by Tallulah heads towards If Only.
Tallulah arrives at If Only’s position around 10-15 minutes before the launch and advise the crew aboard the yacht of the position. If Only is only making 4.5kts under sail and the Skipper advises that it is unlikely that it could navigate at a higher speed under engine. It is therefore concluded that If Only is vulnerable to boarding. However it is concluded at this time that If Only may be difficult to board owing to having a high freeboard although its slow speed still left it open to attempts. However, Tallulah is vulnerable to boarding owing to a relatively low freeboard and two large sugar scoops at the stern.
Around dusk, the crew of the launch arrives and Tallulah maintain a close position, Tallulah attempting to guard If Only from boarding by crew of the launch. As night approaches, this becomes an increasingly difficult exercise and presents risks to crew aboard all boats involved. It is agreed between If Only and Tallulah to stand a distance apart from one another, maintain radio contact and to occasionally darken ship to make it more difficult for the launch to board the yacht If Only. There are difficult decisions to be made for both yachts here, vis a vis balancing the need to maintain a visual with the launch boat and in protecting the safety of the crew aboard both yachts particularly with darkness fast approaching and a moon not expected until significantly later in the evening.
It is agreed between the two yachts that Tallulah will maintain course and speed of If Only at a distance of approximately 0.5 – 1 mile.
At around 19:000 UTC we are advised by If Only that two crew from the launch have boarded by jumping onto the davits of If Only. If Only are now very frightened indeed and their stress is audible during radio communications. Tallulah now makes the decision to step up pressure upon the MRCC for definition of a plan to resolve the situation.
Tallulah calls Tenerife MRCC, seeking advice in respect of the plan. We are advised that Tenerife MRCC is despatching a vessel, Luz de Mar and that its arrival is approximately 30 hours away. Later this estimate becomes 3 days! Tallulah expresses concern at the length of time this is taking and considers that there is risk to life aboard all the vessels currently involved and therefore asks Tenerife if they have attempted any kind of All Ships contact to identify whether or not a more suitable (than a yacht) rescue vessel is in the vicinity that may be able to help. Tenerife MRCC advises that they have not attempted this. Tallulah therefore suggests that Tallulah should issue another PAN PAN call from its locality. Tenerife agrees that this is a good idea. Initially, this is done verbally by both VHF and SSB. There is no response from these PAN PAN’s and thus Tallulah then elects to issue a DSC distress alert via SSB and VHF.
Whilst this is occurring, If Only is enduring repeated attempts at boarding the vessel, and has to restrain the two crew who have boarded the vessel. If Only are having to adopt various strategies to prevent a mass boarding of their vessel. If Only clearly needs assistance of Tallulah due to a lack of long range communication devices. They have a Sat Phone but credit is reduced to around 10 – 15 minutes whilst the only other means of communication they have is a VHF. It is agreed between Tallulah and If Only that Tallulah will become the local co-ordination vessel owing to its fit of SSB, Sat Phone and VHF.
The DSC alert issued by SSB is heard by a number of ships as we hear DSC alarms coming through from various vessel bridges although Tallulah cannot decipher verbal transmissions received by a number of vessels. However, on radar we identify what appears to be a large vessel approaching our position. It does however seem reluctant to approach and thus Tallulah releases a red parachute flare to allow the vessel to pinpoint Tallulah’s position. At this time we are approximately 1-2 miles from If Only’s position.
We approach the other vessel which is a fishing vessel of approximately 20 – 25 metres in length. We ask them for assistance and they advise that they will not assist as it will cost them a days work.
Around this time, we are contacted by Andrew Bishop of World Cruising Club who advises that he has received a response from Falmouth MRCC that they have received a DSC call from our yacht. Whilst the conversation is difficult owing to a poor Sat Phone link Tallulah appraises Andrew of the situation as best as possible before the phone link breaks.
Tallulah makes a further call to Tenerife MRCC to find out what success they were having in improving the 30 hour situation. We are advised that the 30 hour situation has become a 20 hour situation now and are requested to head North.
Heading North is difficult as it is upwind (of particular consideration to If Only owing to boarding attempts, and necessity to sail upwind due to a weak engine) therefore If Only maintains her course.
Around this time, Yacht Flute calls in and agrees to maintain a standby position should we need assistance. Although very lightly crewed, at this stage, we gratefully accept Flute’s offer, feeling that a show of strength in numbers may help to pacify the clearly desperate immigrant launch.
Tallulah continually requests position updates from If Only and then sets to work upon communicating with the authorities in respect of managing the rescue.
I cannot recollect whether Falmouth Coastguard contacted us or we contacted them however, I express our concerns over the speed of response that Tenerife MRCC are able to deliver to Falmouth Coastguard. After a lengthy conversation, Falmouth Coastguard advise that they will talk more to TMRCC and that they will also make a representation to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office back in the UK.
We are all aware from news back in the UK and from advice given from the ARC that the ‘small boat immigrant’ issue is a significant problem to the Canary Islands administration.
However, contrary to the claim made on the ARC website, there is no patrol vessel in the locality that is able to respond quickly. Given the threat to lives of migrants, yachts such as our own and other shipping, I can only question whether the Spanish authorities are doing enough to protect everybody’s interests.
I update If Only of this position. Shortly afterwards, If Only call again, now appearing terrified and very weary in respect of the repeated attempts at boarding. We make best attempts to calm and comfort If Only advising that we are continuing to do what we can to speed the resolution of the situation.
Around this time, crew have prepared dinner and it is agreed that Skipper and First Mate will maintain two larger watches through the night, maintaining a bow watch for the launch, a communications watch and a steering watch.
Soon after this, we are contacted by Tenerife MRCC that they have made contact with a fishing vessel, Pinillo Primario. We are advised to operate SSB 4146.0Khz as a working channel as both Pinillio Primario and Luz de Mar will be operating on these frequencies.
I attempt to contact these vessels via SSB but there is a language barrier and I hear a conversation between Luz de Mar and Pinillo Primario and make out ‘No hablo Ingles’. Clearly we have difficulty communicating and neither Luz de Mar or Pinillo Primario respond to my calls despite the fact that they are able to hear me clearly, presumably because they felt they could make little progress with the language barrier in place.
The time is now around 00:00 UTC. I call Tenerife MRCC who must now act as liaison between us, Luz de Mar and Pinillo Primario. I get an updated position, course and speed from If Only and provide this and our own relevant information to Tenerfie MRCC. Who then pass this information across to the Pinillo Primario. I agree with TMRCC an hourly telephone call, requesting that they call us due to the heavy use of minutes on our own phone by this time.
Falmouth MRCC now call me and appraise me of their understanding of the situation and I provide them with an update of the local activity.
We maintain radio contact with If Only, assessing their safety, well being, course, position etc. Flute also maintains radio contact during this period. After some time, I advise Flute that she is released and should continue her journey as with only a small crew on board, there is little she could do to assist and also that she exposes herself to vulnerabilities.
Around 1:00 AM, it occurs to me that one of our crew members, Cora Keating speaks some Spanish and I awake her and ask her to attempt contact with Pinillo Primario. This proves successful, and we are now able to adopt a central communication role between ourselves, the fishing boat and If Only. Tallulah adopts a position relay from If Only to the Spanish Fishing Vessel over VHF. At this time, a rendezvous between Tallulah and Pinillo Primario is agreed. Upon rendezvous, Tallulah would then take the fishing vessel to If Only’s position.
A little after this, further contact is made with TMRCC. The plan is agreed that all vessels will converge and at dawn whereupon the rescue will be affected.
Concern arises again as a result of If Only’s course due South, as the Pinillo Primario is only able to make a speed of 7.5 to 8 kts. At around 2:30AM, Tallulah agrees to adopt a northerly course to accelerate the rendezvous with Pinillo Primario. We advise If Only of the situation and agree 15 minute position updates should we lose VHF contact (the range would separate the vessels by in excess of 30 miles).
Luckily around this time, Sailing Vessel ‘Salt Whitle’ calls Tallulah and asks if she can assist. At this time, her position is a midway position between If Only and the Fishing Vessel so I therefore request if she will act as a VHF Relay vessel. She duly agrees to this and maintains watch. At this time, I request that all vessels adopt Channel 16 as the communication channel and request radio silence unless the situation is urgent or a call is made by Tallulah as we are now co-ordinating all the boats involved.
The fishing vessel continues to strengthen its concern over If Only’s course and a further call from TMRCC reinforces this message. Fearing the loss of the fishing vessels co-operation, I agree to discuss If Only’s course with them, and whilst them not wanting to sail dead in the water, or significantly more slowly, it is agreed that If Only will sail a reciprocal beam reach course to 030 degrees at 3.5 to 4kts to the one that they are currently sailing. Once they complete the adjustment of course, I continue to get regular course and position updates.
We then receive a call from If Only advising that there has been an aggressive attempt to board If Only. If Only advise that they have thrown a floating line towards the launch in an attempt to disable them. They think that the line may have fouled the propeller of the launch as the launch has now disappeared from view. Understandably, the crew of If Only are now very weary and very frightened. If Only have taken a position of the incident and we mark this position in our log and as a waypoint in our GPS. At the time, we are within 2 miles of this position so maintain a very careful bow watch. We are now concerned about a disabled vessel lost at sea. I put out an all stations advising of the situation and requesting a sharp look out from all ships. I make regular radio contact with If Only asking for sightings of the launch together with the other regular updates.
At this time, I also contact TMRCC and advise them that if they had cancelled the AM aircraft fly over, that they may wish to consider launching it again owing to the now unknown location of the launch.
With the aforementioned change of If Only’s course, we call Pinillo Primario and agree that a rendezvous at If Only’s location is the most useful course of action. The Skipper of Pinillo Primario appears a little confused in respect of everybody’s location, particularly ours. We therefore agree to launch a red parachute flare in order that they can clearly identify our position. I advise All Stations of the intention and we thus release the flare. This gave the Skipper clear and immediate identification of our position and we all resumed course to rendezvous with If Only.
Around this time, I release Salt Whitle from participation and thank them, wishing them a good journey.
Danish Cargo Ship, Loren L’Oritzen, on route from Natal, Brazil to Vigo, Spain listens in and calls Tallulah. Loren L’Oritzen’s position is close to If Only and we agree to Loren L’Oritzen offer to stand by If Only, feeling that the presence of a large ship would help to comfort the crew aboard the launch as well as comfort those aboard If Only.
Two yachts then called in advising that they had seen the flare, and we were able to advise them of the situation and ask them to stand by on VHF 16.
Further communication reveals that Loren L’Oritzen had become confused because by this time Sea Whitle and If Only had very similar locations. They had been standing by Sea Whitle. Once this was updated, Loren L’Oritzen adjusted course to standby If Only.
We we’re now in a position of regularly updating all vessels on positions, ETA’s etc as well as managing the final approach.
At around 4:00AM If Only advised that they now had view of the launch again, which was a relief in that we would not need to launch a SAR for the launch.
Around 5:30 Tallulah arrived on the scene of the incident. Loren L’Oritzen was on station and because of Loren L’Oritzen’s ability to see the small launch using her powerful radar we were able to mange the position of all the vessels and thus we were able to minimise the risk of accidentally sinking the launch.
As the fishing vessel was now around 1 hour behind us, all vessels then agreed to rendezvous at the fishing vessel. We shine a search torch across our stern to indicate to the launch to follow and set off in the direction of the fishing vessel with whom we quickly had visual on their lights.
Loren L’Oritzen, clearly under pressure then requested when I would release her. I advised that I would like her to remain until twilight because of the benefits of her radar. She agreed to this, and I contacted Tenerife MRCC to advise. At this time they were happy with this.
Tallulah, If Only, Pinillo Primario and the launch all rendezvous just before dawn. Whilst Loren L’Oritzen gave continuous position updates as to the launches position in order that we do not run them down.
The launch at this time comes into everybody’s view and we circle them. I think that by this point the crew of the launch now clearly understood that rescue was imminent.
We continued liaison with TMRCC and acted as channel of communication to the fishing vessel, Loren L’Oritzen and If Only. As dawn broke, Pinillo Primario affected first the transfer of the two who boarded If Only and then (presumably to offer dignity to the two dead people aboard) towed the launch a distance away and the persons aboard the launch boarded the Pinillo Primario.
TMRCC called us and advised us that we were released. I confirmed that Loren L’Oritzen and If Only were also released and advised each vessel accordingly. We shared warm words over the VHF and each vessel then resumed course after collecting an up to date weather forecast from Loren L’Oritzen.
Our understanding is that 50 peoples lives were saved whilst regrettably, 2 people within the launch were dead.
We have since been contacted by Spanish media and our Spanish speaking crew member conducted a live radio interview on the evening of 30/11/07.
Whilst this is a factual account of events, as Skipper, I feel that there are numerous important lessons to be learned from this exercise for those of us directly involved, World Cruising Club, the yachting fraternity in general and the authorities. I thus welcome an open and frank discussion on this event once we are all back on dry land.
