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SIU-crewed Resolve honored for rescue (5/4)

The SIU-crewed M/V Resolve recently received a Meritorious Public Service Award from the U.S. Coast Guard for rescuing two fishermen late last year. AB Paul Altenor was among those who manned the lifeboat which rescued the survivors. Operated by Pacific-Gulf Marine, the Resolve is crewed by Seafarers and members of the American Maritime Officers (AMO). The following SIU members were aboard the vessel when the rescue took place: Bosun Ruben Rivera; ABs Altenor, Julio Alvarez and Earl Bostrom; OSs Flora Garland and George Peters; QMED Mark Mosher; OMUs Scotie Beezley and Michael Joel; Chief Steward Griffin Carter; Chief Cook Pedro Edar; SA Eric Hernandez; and Unlicensed Apprentice Lloyd Clark. The text of the award follows. “The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District takes great pleasure in presenting the U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award to Captain Michael R Frye and the crew of the M/V RESOLVE for actions in the rescue at sea of two shipwrecked fishermen on the afternoon of December 13, 2003. Captain Frye, master of the M/V RESOLVE, was at the beginning of a transatlantic passage off of Frying Pan Shoals, North Carolina, when his crew overheard a partial distress call from the F/V ALL HOOKED UP. Captain Frye notified the nearest Coast Guard station of the call and then, lacking more precise location of the distress, diverted his ship to begin a precarious search based only upon the maximum potential range of radio reception of the call. “Shortly thereafter, the Coast Guard correlated the distress Captain Frye had heard to an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) signal and a cellular telephone call from two fishermen who had abandoned the F/V ALL HOOKED UP as it sank, and now were adrift in the vessel’s life raft. The Coast Guard notified Captain Frye of this additional information and the specific distress position received through the EPIRB. Captain Frye immediately altered course and made best speed to the identified coordinates. Combating heavy seas and deteriorating weather, Captain Frye and his crew located the life raft containing the two survivors. Working in the extremely dangerous seas and near gale force winds, the crew lowered a rescue boat to retrieve the two hypothermic survivors. After providing essential medical attention, Captain Frye coordinated the transfer of both survivors from the M/V RESOLVE to a Coast Guard helicopter. The two survivors were then safely brought ashore for medical evaluation and treatment. “The heroic, unselfish actions of Captain Frye and his crew, despite the treacherous weather conditions and the danger to his own vessel, saved two lives and upheld the highest traditions of humanitarian service.” ###