Wednesday, December 23, 2009

CHRISTMAS and the NEW YEAR

To all the fine RCC people throughout the North Atlantic, South Atlantic and the rest of the world, RCC Norfolk wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Monday, December 14, 2009

AMVER TO THE RESCUE - 600NM EAST OF BERMUDA

Simply a good case to share. Thanks to Stavanger for forwarding the INM-C distress alert and Gris Nez for forwarding the SARSAT report. The case summary;

RCC Norfolk received an undesignated INM-C distress alert from RCC Stavanger on the 40FT S/Y F ET MER, a French flagged vessel. RCC Gris Nez called and reported that they had received an unlocated 406 EPIRB from this same vessel. an Air Station Elizabeth City C-130 was immediately launched and had a four hour transit to the scene. The AMVER vessel WELLINGTON STAR was diverted to the scene as well. The C-130 arrived on scene and located the F ET MER disabled and adrift in high winds and seas (+6 meters!). The F ET MER crew reported they had been capsized by the huge seas. They also reported they had donned their survival suits. The WELLINGTON STAR arrived on scene an hour after the C-130. All three persons were safely recovered by the WELLINGTON STAR. The F ET MER was abandoned, and an EGC was released concerning Hazard to Navigation. Case closed.