View Full Version : Imagine setting out in this weather ...
STANDTO
23rd Dec 2013, 21:29
From the BBC website tonight.
2152: Falmouth Coastguard say they are involved in the rescue of two French sailors on a sinking yacht 170 miles (273km) south-west of the Isles of Scilly. They have tried to divert merchant ships to the area but because of the "horrendous sea conditions" the ships are unable to help. Helicopters from RNAS Culdrose and one from RMB Chivenor are now en-route to attempt a rescue. More details as we get them.
God Speed.
Redland
23rd Dec 2013, 21:44
Brave chaps good luck to them, the wind was forecast 75kts at 2000ft earlier today.
Hedski
24th Dec 2013, 15:20
What was the result?
SpeedyD
24th Dec 2013, 15:34
As a coordinated effort the rescue was a success:
Falmouth coastguards coordinate yachtsmen rescue in gale force winds (From Falmouth Packet) (http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/fpfalmouth/10897746.Falmouth_coastguards_coordinate_yachtsmen_rescue_in _gale_force_winds/)
:ok:
Democritus
24th Dec 2013, 15:40
Both guys saved but by a passing merchant ship. Helicopter rescue turned out not to be feasible.
diginagain
24th Dec 2013, 15:48
BBC News - Crew rescued from sinking boat off Isles of Scilly (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-25503978)
Meanwhile, The Cornishman has a slightly different take on the mission:
RNAS Culdrose save pair stranded in French yacht | The Cornishman (http://www.cornishman.co.uk/RNAS-Culdrose-save-pair-stranded-French-yacht/story-20361391-detail/story.html)
SkyStalker
24th Dec 2013, 17:18
Was it too rough to make use of the SAR diver?
satsuma
24th Dec 2013, 17:22
Bernard Stamm rescue: 'I swam for my life' | Yachting World (http://www.yachtingworld.com/blogs/elaine-bunting/535828/bernard-stamm-rescue-i-swam-for-my-life)
mbriscoe
24th Dec 2013, 22:51
The MCA has a press release about it.
PLANES, HELICOPTERS AND SHIPS INVOLVED IN RESCUE OF FRENCH YACHT CREW 170 MILES OFF SCILLY ISLES (http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id=E3CE6BDA3CFE125C&m=12&y=2013)
Wander00
25th Dec 2013, 08:29
Brilliant effort - well done all. And a Happy Christmas to all the SAR crews
STANDTO
25th Dec 2013, 13:21
unbelievable. Nearly an hour on station trying to winch, on the limit of endurance. Monumental effort.
Just amazes me that people end up in this position time and time again, needing others to risk their lives to save theirs.
mbriscoe
25th Dec 2013, 22:51
We should be grateful that the French still have Maritime Reconaissance Aircraft to assist them in finding the boat and to provide safety cover for them now that the UK no longer has any.
RotorIP
25th Dec 2013, 23:44
Sorry fly in this kind of condition regularly, what do you need top cover for? They can't do anything. Helo radar is better than most fixed wing.
SkyStalker
26th Dec 2013, 16:58
Safety cover/Top Cover can't do anything?
Apart from acting as a comms relay if reqd, keeping eyes
on you if you ditch, deploying air droppable liferafts, acting
as on scene commander and staying on station during protracted
searches, and actually helping with the search.
Proper Top Cover as provided by the Nimrod was invaluable, and it's criminal
that we don't have a replacement that is as capable.
Oh, they also take photos of us out at long range showing how
brave we all are :)