Editor’s note: AB Tom Komenda recently submitted the following article about a rescue at sea that involved special security considerations.On Friday, August 9 at 1135 the Maritrans Perseverance (bound for Beaumont, Texas) was two days west of her last port of call, Guayanilla, Puerto Rico. She was on a course of 290 degrees, her position was 22-47N, 078-34.5W and 11 nautical miles north of Cayo Coco, Cuba when the 1200-1600 AMO 3rd Mate (on bridge watch) Bill McNiel noticed a small craft in the distance. After a closer look, the persons on board appeared to be waving their arms and oars.
At 1136 the mate on watch notified the captain of a possible refugee craft. Once confirmed, he contacted the Coast Guard in Miami. At 1145 the Coast Guard advised our vessel to “slow, maneuver and pick up migrants.” The mate on watch then sounded the general alarm and all hands to emergency stations.
The wind and seas were calm that morning so Captain Jim Todd decided to lower the accommodation ladder instead of launching a lifeboat. By the time the ladder was rigged into position the tanker was stop-dead, making no headway, and the refugee vessel bore 500 yards off her starboard bow. The refugees paddled desperately but with smiling faces toward the ship. As the rickety craft, rigged with inner tubes, a sheet for a sail and five sunburned Cubans inched closer, Capt. Todd wondered out load if he were doing the right thing.
In light of the aftermath of 9/11, shipboard security is paramount and even more so on board tankers. Various security alerts and bulletins, including updated terrorist threats learned by the U.S. government, have become routine.
“Isn’t the terrorist prison camp for the al Qaeda and Taliban at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba?” quipped one crew member.
The migrant vessel was now alongside and the crew was in place for a humanitarian rescue.
First aid equipment, stretchers, automatic external defibrillators and fresh water were laid out and available next to the top of the ladder for emergency assistance. In case there was to be any unruliness on the part of the migrants, the first man to greet them was 215 lb., former Puerto Rican police officer, AB Hector Cumba. Next up was a 6-foot-4, 250-lb. AB named Dave Harvey, equipped with baton and plastic cable ties for handcuffs if needed.
They boarded one at a time and were searched thoroughly for contraband. Their confiscated baggage was searched; it contained old clothing and identification.
They were five males, ages 25-45 and spoke no English (AB Cumba translated). They appeared sun-weary and seasick. The men had said they had been out at sea for five days and had not eaten since, although they did have a small amount of fresh water on board.
The men were then led to the decontamination showers on the main deck. Capt. Todd instructed the emergency party to sink the small craft. Bosun Jim Bishop had the honors. Equipped with PFD (personal flotation device) and lifeline, he made his way down the ladder, slashed the tubing, flooded the small compartment with a firehose and sank the craft.
The migrants were given showers and the 2nd mate’s clean clothing, then quarantined on board in the crew lounge where they were fed a hot, hearty meal. The Coast Guard was made aware of the situation. A time and position was set up for a rendezvous with the Coast Guard vessel Block Island out of Key West for transfer. All the Cuban men departed safely.
So congratulations to the crew of the tanker Perseverance in their professionalism to duty and concern for the safety of fellow man. They handled the situation in the true tradition of the U.S. Merchant Marine, by hearing the call and answering without delay. I would have liked to have been on the main deck to see the men and their boat but I was summoned by Capt. Todd to be the helmsman.
— AB Tom Komenda
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