Related Articles
To learn more about the dangers of cold water immersion be sure to check out Boating Safety: 5 Minute Rule.
The day before departing Crescent City, California, on July 1 for an offshore passage bound for Alameda, California, the shore-bound father of one of three crewmembers aboard the 32-foot catamaran sailboat Catalyst wanted to ensure his daughter was safe. So he went to www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/epirb to rent an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).
Normally costing about $800, the BoatU.S. Foundation rents the life-saving units for just $65 per week. The rental program is intended to fill the short-term safety need for occasional offshore cruisers. When activated by immersion in water or manually by pressing a button, the units broadcast an emergency mayday signal via satellite along with precise location information of the vessel in distress, allowing for a speedy rescue. A dedicated global satellite system relays 406-MHz EPIRB distress signals to rescue stations around the world.
The last-minute rental saved all three this past weekend when stormy seas led the crew to activate the beacon just minutes before massive waves capsized the vessel, plunging all three into the frigid Pacific waters 20 miles off Fort Bragg on the Northern California coast.
On Saturday July 4 with winds gusting past 50 mph and seas treacherous, the three crew -- two men in their 40s and a woman of unknown age -- activated the EPIRB at about 12:44 p.m. Soon after, 15-to-20-foot waves knocked the boat completely upside down, pinning all three underneath. Once they freed themselves from the overturned boat, the three lashed themselves to the overturned vessel, but without survival suits to protect them from the cold water, hypothermia quickly set in.
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter was able to home in on the signal given by the EPIRB, and after commencing a search pattern, quickly found the floating wreck awash in the sea. With the help of a rescue swimmer, Catalyst's three crew were quickly loaded into the helicopter for a life-saving flight to the hospital. The female crew member's body temperature was only 79ºF and pulse barely 30 beats per minute. All are expected to fully recover.
The signal from the EPIRB was the only distress signal received by the Coast Guard from Catalyst. The Coast Guard also credits the crew for staying with the boat after it capsized and filing a float plan, which allowed the rescuers to expedite the search.
"That EPIRB saved their lives," said USCG Lt. George Suchanek, an MH-65C Dolphin helicopter pilot that responded to the call.
The BoatU.S. Foundation EPIRB Rental Program is funded by the voluntary contributions of BoatU.S. members, and 65 lives have been saved since 1996. For more information, call 888-663-7472 or visit www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/epirb.
Good job. I’m definitely going to bookmark you!
Distance Education || Distance Learning Courses || Distance Learning || Distance Education in Mumbai
"christian louboutin platform volpi satin platform peep toe pumps This panel has become every Asian 2013 red bottom christian louboutin straratata 140 suede sandals n parent’s nightmare,” joked SuChin Pa 2013 red bottom christian louboutin belle 85mm ankle boots black y yesterday to moderate a panel of Asian-Americans 2013 red bottom christian louboutin candy studded flats black in—gaspthe fashion industry. But e christian louboutin platform banane 140mm roccia ven if they haven’t chosen law or medicine, 2013 red bottom christian louboutin daffodile 160mm pumps hemati it’s hard to imagine the superstar panelists 2013 red bottom christian louboutin cork platform slingbacks red aren’t doing their folks proud. A diverse g2013 red bottom christian louboutin maggie 140 platform pumps br roup including Phillip Lim, Opening Ceremony’ christian louboutin platform balota 120 multicolor glitter sanda ;s Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, Elle̵ 2013 red bottom christian louboutin volpi 150mm sandals alba 7;s Joe Zee, and stylists Tina Chai and Aya T. Kan 2013 red bottom hristian louboutin charme 100 ankle boots black ai were all on hand to discuss their experiences i christian louboutin pumps maggie 120 lilac navy and grey pumps n fashion. Not that they’d all started there. Carol Lim and Tina Chai had worked in investment banking and law, respectively, before switching fields. But all of the panelists stressed the important of following their passions, whether, like Chai, from law to a magazine job to freelance, or Zee, who’d never wanted to do anything but work for magazines. And while that often led them to sidestep a more traditional career (or the wishes of their parents), Phillip Lim clarified that there’s nothing so specifically Asian-American about that. “The future is really a global citizen,” he said following the panel. “It’s a shame we have to break it down and categorize it. Maybe those are the first steps in order to eventually having the ultimate goal of just one citizen.”—Kelley Hoffman Photo: Sharon Shum/Courtesy of Hoot Magazine christian louboutin boots velours scrunch suede boots chocolate . Carol Lim and Tina Chai had worked in investment 2013 red bottom christian louboutin coxinelle tstrap sandals ye banking and law, respectively, before switching f 2013 red bottom christian louboutin lady bow 120 suede slingback ields. But all of the panelists stressed the impor 2013 red bottom christian louboutin bibi 140 leather platform pu tant of following their passions, whether, like Ch 2013 red bottom christian louboutin crosspiga 120mm pumps white ai, from law to a magazine job to freelance, or Ze 2013 red bottom christian louboutin maggie 140mm glitter pumps n"
The first time I ventured offshore, I purchased an EPIRB for the trip. They are quite expensive but my families life is worth more than the cost of this device. Hat's off to Boat US for renting them. If more boaters would make this standard equipment on their boat, I'm sure the prices would come down as manufacturers compete for the business.