Bob
New member
Submitted by Katharine Overton (yacht Ethereal in Richard's Bay, S Africa)
My New Year's Day relaxation lazing around the cockpit with skies of blue was marred with a call from Alistair, ZS5MU. He was asking whether I knew the yacht "Gallivant" that was crossing the southern Atlantic. And unfortunately, yes, I do. Gallivant's 406 EPIRB went off at 1147 UTC on 31 December 2003. It wasn't just turned on to test. It ID'd them but didn't give their position. We've been told by Cape Town Radio and US Coast Guard that it wasn't on long enough to give a position, what they call a "burst", perhaps from a "knock". Well, we're hoping now it doesn't mean anything sinister, but then we'll have to wait until someone sees them as they have a listen-only radio and cannot be contacted. They departed St. Helena November 29th according to their last email. They didn't think they'd stop at Ascension Island because of the fees. Their destination was Tobago. It was day 33 of their voyage if they hadn't stopped anywhere and in her email she planned to be at sea about 40 days, so we think they were close that side. But, would you please please, everyone, get on the radio and alert all vessels in the Tobago area to keep a sharp eye out for the Gallivant. This is Will Galloway and Cheri Jones on the 36' Alaskan wooden Schooner. My barometer of arm hair is standing on end and my gut tells me all is not right. We have heard of two other yachts having close calls with freighters in last year's fleet, but lucky so far no hits we know of. Please put out the word and notify anyone in Tobago you might know traveling there. Thanks. We hope and pray someone locates our dear friends and finds out they are safe. Please contact us on the forum below if anyone hears or knows anything.
Katharine & Al Overton
More on the issue at: http://cruiserlog.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=Forum&action=display&num=1073311075
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My New Year's Day relaxation lazing around the cockpit with skies of blue was marred with a call from Alistair, ZS5MU. He was asking whether I knew the yacht "Gallivant" that was crossing the southern Atlantic. And unfortunately, yes, I do. Gallivant's 406 EPIRB went off at 1147 UTC on 31 December 2003. It wasn't just turned on to test. It ID'd them but didn't give their position. We've been told by Cape Town Radio and US Coast Guard that it wasn't on long enough to give a position, what they call a "burst", perhaps from a "knock". Well, we're hoping now it doesn't mean anything sinister, but then we'll have to wait until someone sees them as they have a listen-only radio and cannot be contacted. They departed St. Helena November 29th according to their last email. They didn't think they'd stop at Ascension Island because of the fees. Their destination was Tobago. It was day 33 of their voyage if they hadn't stopped anywhere and in her email she planned to be at sea about 40 days, so we think they were close that side. But, would you please please, everyone, get on the radio and alert all vessels in the Tobago area to keep a sharp eye out for the Gallivant. This is Will Galloway and Cheri Jones on the 36' Alaskan wooden Schooner. My barometer of arm hair is standing on end and my gut tells me all is not right. We have heard of two other yachts having close calls with freighters in last year's fleet, but lucky so far no hits we know of. Please put out the word and notify anyone in Tobago you might know traveling there. Thanks. We hope and pray someone locates our dear friends and finds out they are safe. Please contact us on the forum below if anyone hears or knows anything.
Katharine & Al Overton
More on the issue at: http://cruiserlog.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=Forum&action=display&num=1073311075
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