Merchant mariners aboard the SIU-crewed Horizon Hawaii during the mid-evening hours of May 17 came to aid of three people in distress aboard a sailing vessel in the Atlantic Ocean.While steaming on a southbound course for Puerto Rico—and located at 37 degrees 1 minute North Latitude and 72 degrees 44 minutes West Longitude—the Hawaii at about 8:55 p.m. received a distress call via radio from the Gina, a 44-foot Irwin Sloop. Three people (Kathleen O’Sullivan, Frank Grande and Captain Jay Sweet) were aboard the troubled vessel, which was located some 150 miles off the North Carolina coast and on a northbound course for Maine.
Because of equipment malfunction, the Gina could not establish contact with the U.S. Coast Guard, or sail due to a broken shroud. To add to the trio’s problems, their fuel tanks were contaminated. Because their vessel’s decks were awash, however, they had no way to refuel.
The craft was not taking on water yet, but it would only be a matter of time before their situation became grave. The sloop could only maneuver on a northerly course and, due to rough seas and swells, crew members feared the rolling might bring down their mast.
After being briefed on all the particulars—especially the deteriorating sea conditions near the distressed vessel—and weighing his options, Hawaii Captain F. John Nicoll at about 9:15 p.m. changed course and headed for the Gina, which was located about 10 miles away and to the north. Some 40 minutes later, the Hawaii arrived on the scene and continued contact with the U.S. Coast Guard in New York who in turn relayed them to their counterparts in Portsmouth, Va.
The resulting dialogue between the Hawaii and the Coast Guard led all concerned to the conclusion that it would be far too dangerous for the container ship crew to attempt to board the Gina to rescue its crew. In addition to darkness, the barometer at the time was going down, winds were northeasterly at 20-25 knots, the swell was 12-15 feet and the seas were 8 feet.
The Coast Guard opted to dispatch a rescue helicopter and a C-130 aircraft to the location for the rescue mission. Meanwhile the Hawaii, with its entire crew at the ready for whatever they were called upon to do, stood by with the Gina. While waiting, the Hawaii crew remained in contact with the Coast Guard, relaying messages back and forth between them and the Gina.
About one hour later, the C-130 joined the Hawaii at the scene. Another hour passed and the rescue helicopter arrived and began retrieving the sailboat crew. Shortly before 1 a.m., all three were safely aboard the helicopter and headed back to Virginia. The Hawaii came about, increased to sea speed and resumed it course for San Juan.
Seafarers aboard the Hawaii at the time of the rescue were: Bosun David Murray, ABMs Dwayne Gordon and Pat Lavin, ABWs Ricardo Quinones, Gregory Johnson, Keith Obryan and Wilfredo Cruz, QEE Roy Frett, OMU Omer Omer, GUDE Fadel Ghaleb, EU Eliester Montalvo, Oiler Pablo Albino, Chief Cook Leopoldo Ruiz, SB Joseph Gallo, UMM Arturo Lopez and UAs Sergio Gonzalez Lopez and Michael Pockat.
Gina crew member Grande, who also is a captain, expressed his gratitude to everyone aboard the Hawaii in correspondence to Captain Nicoll. In part, Grande wrote: “Words cannot express my heartfelt gratitude for your assistance in my time of need. The Atlantic Ocean, far from a safe shore, is a lonely, desolate area. Hearing your response was a big factor in our safe rescue and ultimate survival. To all the hands that responded and volunteered, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and present to you the ultimate gift: three lives saved. Your diligence and attention to detail, when presented with our emergency rescue, is indicative of a well-trained, coordinated crew.”
Fellow Gina crew member O’Sullivan likewise was appreciative and in a letter to Captain Nicoll offered: “I can’t begin to describe the sense of relief we felt when you answered our Pan Pan…The willingness and enthusiasm of you and your crew to turn around and stand by us deserves gratitude and commendation that are beyond words. Our prayers to the Gods of the High Seas were answered in the form of a container ship called the Horizon Hawaii and its captain and crew. We are forever in your debt.”
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