Seafarers recently rescued an individual boater from a disabled, leaky craft approximately 170 miles off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina.
SIU and AMO members from the Endurance (operated by TOTE Services for vessel owner American Roll- On Roll-Off Carrier) (ARC) performed the operation June 15, shortly after loading more than 1,900 pieces of high-priority military cargo destined for Europe to support ongoing NATO exercises.
SIU members aboard the ship during the rescue included Bosun Moussa Hamdy, ABs Michael Otwell, Hussein M. Hussein, Dennis Stevens, Charles Frisella and Joshua Cutchin, Oilers Jorge Valencia Bon, Starling Priester and Denard Williams, Chief Steward Wilfredo Ramos Silva, Chief Cook Michael Page and SA Lynford Robles.
The Endurance received a distress call from the Black Pearl, a 30-foot sailboat that was sinking 12 nautical miles from their position.
According to a report from ARC, “Once the Black Pearl was in visual range, Endurance Captain Glenn Koshak deftly maneuvered the Endurance into position to lower a rescue ladder and recover the exhausted sailor who was the sole occupant of the boat. Ultimately, he was transferred at sea to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Yellowfin and returned to shore. The swift and professional actions of the M/V Endurance Captain and Crew reflect the best values of the American Merchant Mariner and American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier.”
“Helping a sailor in distress on the open seas is a moral imperative regardless of the priority of our cargo. I’m just happy we could help,” said Koshak.
The sailboat reportedly had been taking on water for 24 hours and the occupant’s bilge pump stopped working.
Koshak reported, “The distressed sailboat was spotted through the binoculars by the AB on watch at about nine nautical miles distance. Meanwhile the chief mate, bosun, and deck crew were readying the starboard pilot ladder and marshalling emergency equipment at the starboard pilot door. The engine crew were readying the ship’s generators to use the bow thruster and getting prepared for maneuvering….
“The mate on watch informed the captain of the Black Pearl of Endurance’s intentions and he stated that the water was above the settee and that he didn’t know how long he would have comms as the water level was nearing the radio equipment. The master of the 868-foot Endurance circled around to the east and cautiously approached the Black Pearl, keeping her at about 20m distance from the starboard side. Once the Endurance had come to a stop and the Black Pearl was positioned near the starboard pilot ladder, the captain of the Black Pearl abandoned his sinking craft and boarded his dinghy. Exhausted, he paddled the small inflatable the 20m to the pilot ladder and boarded the Endurance.
“The crew greeted the shipwrecked sailor with urgency, removing his soaked shoes, and giving him blankets and dry clothes. He was checked by the ship’s medical officer, and vitals were relayed to the USCG. All in all, the captain of the Black Pearl was in ok condition with a swollen elbow and a bruise on his side. The steward department made sure he had plenty of Gatorade and food to eat after his exhausting ordeal.”
The Endurance then headed back toward Charleston and met the Coast Guard cutter four hours later.
“The crew of the Endurance acted with urgency and professionalism to ensure the safe rescue of the captain of the sailboat,” Koshak said. “They put their merchant marine training to the test and because of that a man is alive today. Merchant mariners rely on our brothers and sisters of the sea in times of crisis and always keep a weathered eye on the horizon.”
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