<<

.LQJV3RLQWHUVLQ$FWLRQ $OLIHVDYLQJRSHUDWLRQRIIRIWKHFRDVWRI/RQJ,VODQGLQYROYHGWZRJUDGXDWHV %\-RKQ0F&DUWK\

n January 15, 2014, at around . Three men went into the O 1600, the 183’ Boat New water and were recovered by the P.B. York (P.B. ) of the Sandy America using the life sling and the Hook Pilots Association received a boats retrieval basket on the stern. distress call from the tugboat SEA LION. The P.B. New York stands watch The fourth man with possible broken outside of 24/7, 365 ribs and chest pains remained on the days a year in all weather, embarking tug until it went under and the New and disembarking pilots from . York Media RHIB recovered the fourth man and transferred him to the P.B. Mark Wanderer ’07, the Mate on America. While the PB America was watch, heard the distress call from operating in the debris field of the the tug SEA LION. He checked the SEA LION, both of its propellers were position of the vessel in distress and fouled with the lines from the tugboat. determined it to be around six nautical miles from the pilot station. John had the crew onboard the P.B. New York prepare the starboard Mark had the P.B. America (a transport RHIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) vessel for Pilots) begin to be deployed. Upon arriving on the Mark Wanderer ’07 and John McCarthy ’07 working up to the SEA LION that had scene with the P.B. New York, John crew and one on decided not to use the RHIB and onboard the P.B. New York, they board. Mark then proceeded to awaken instead maneuvered the P.B. New York secured the U.S. Coast Guard boat on the Captain of the P.B. New York, John alongside the P.B. America. The crew their starboard side. McCarthy ’07. was able to get a head line on and secure the P.B. America alongside. The crew of the P.B. New York safely The two then continued to work up to transferred all four men to the C.G. the SEA LION at full speed. During The four crewmembers were safely vessel. The C.G. vessel pulled off the trip up to the SEA LION, they transferred onto the PB. New York and the side and headed to shore. After were in constant communications with brought to the pilot lounge for first aid transferring the victims off the P.B. the Coast Guard, relaying positions and care. The last man off the SEA LION New York, they had the disabled descriptions of the victims aboard. was in the most critical condition, America alongside their port side and complaining of possible broken ribs had to work down south to deeper When the P.B. America arrived on and chest pains; he also told the men water, away from Atlantic Beach. scene, they saw the SEA LION on its that he had a stroke in the past. side with four men hanging on. The All operations were conducted in zero men on the pilot launch saw that the The crewmembers provided the rescued visibility and the crew of the P.B. New tug was sinking and told the men to men with blankets, clothes, and oxygen York did an outstanding job throughout swim through the debris to the P.B. as needed. After treating the victims the entire operation.

P.B. America P.B. New York 9PNPK/\SS0UÅH[HISL)VH[

18 Kings Pointer