From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

BASRA
BASRA June Rescue Report
By Capt. d'Von M. Archer
Jul 19, 2010 - 10:44:52 AM


For the month of June, Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) had a total of 13 calls, 22 people assisted - 5 people injured, 6 rescue boats called out, 3 assist from USCG, 2 assist from RBDF, 4 commercial assists, and 2 assists by others.  

On 6/1 at 6:40 am  

A Call came in from Ocean Rescue & Recovery (ORR) that a boat is aground at Sunrise Resort and Marina entrance with a diabetic woman on board that is not responsive. We then Contacted Justin Snisky who contacted Christine Snisky (One of BASRA’s Volunteer medics), who recommended an ambulance. The ambulance was met by BASRA personnel and directed to the boat ramp. The diabetic woman had an amputated toe and had her foot in a cast. Due to this, it was decided not to try to get her to the rocks but have her walk in the water to shore. EMT’s checked her out and she was OK. Charlton Knowles picked up the captain and women and took them to the sunrise resort. At approximately 8:00AM BASRA called customs and report they had not cleared.  

On 6/2 around 10:00 PM  

A Call from Christine Knowles had come in stating that her husband and Brad Cummer were approximately 1 hour over due. He was in a 23 foot boat with 225 HP and 3 persons on board (POB). At 10:07 they report in that they were underway.  

On 6/4 around 5:30 PM  

OBAT Nassau reported a private alarm on a boat about 18 miles south of Grand Bahama, The boat was a 32 foot fiberglass hull by the name (Getting Busy) and captained by Capt Bruce Hicks. BASRA base and Freeport Harbour Control assistance called on VHF 16 with no reply. RBDF went to scene and checked them out and all was OK.  

On 6/5 around 6:45 AM  

BASRA received a call that the vessel Island Trader was on fire 2 miles off Freeport Harbour. Ocean Rescue & Recovery and BASRA’s Rescue II responded. Harbour Tugs were fighting the fire and had decided to tow to shallow water east of harbour where Gary (Ocean Rescue and Recovery) could take over and handle the situation.  

On 6/7 around 6:30 AM  

A Call came in from Police control room that a 51 foot (Reel Magic) was aground on Sails Cay. Ocean Rescue & Recovery responded.  

On 6/7 around 12:50 PM  

A Distress Call came over the VHF on ch 16 from a rental boat that originated from Club Fortuna and was broken down off Lucayan Jetties. The vessel was then assisted by another vessel which happened to hear them on the radio.  
 

On 6/8 at 9:15 PM  

A Call came into BASRA from the Freeport Harbour control room saying that they had received a distress call from vessel 10 miles off Freeport and low on Gas and trying to make it in. BASRA had then Launched rescue I with Bryan and Joel on Crew; at 10:30pm, at about 11:15pm the vessel was under tow and back at dock by 12:40 AM.  

On 6/10  

VHF channel 16 was being blocked by someone keying radio off and on all that day and the day before. BASRA launched Rescue I to pick up Gary’s (ORR) RDF (Radio Directional Finder), by the time BASRA arrived to Gary’s and organized a training crew the interference had quit.  

On 6/16 at 5:30 PM  

A call came in from sailboat (Seize the Day) stating she was towing a 30 foot sail (Renaissance) and needed assistance bringing the boat into port. Knowles Marine assisted.  

On 6/19 at 8:30 PM  

Call from Chala Cartwright from Tanio beach that 2 adults took 6 children for boat ride and had not returned. They were in a 27 foot Robalo with twin (2)-225 HP engines. BASRA then got another report that a boat had hit the rocks inside the Lucayan waterway. There were several People on board, Bruce Smith, KC Charlton plus children. 3 were seriously injured and being rushed to hospital. We (BASRA) called in Justin Snisky who went to the hospital to confirm that it was in fact the same people from Taino Beach. He then called the police and got in touch with the officer on the scene for more details. Justin then reported that this was the same people from Taino Beach, 6 POB, 5 were injured. Bruce Smith was OK.  

On 6/22 around 12:00 AM  

A Call came in from USCG that they received an E-Pirb signal off Zanadu at 26.29.4-78.44.2. BASRA then Launched Rescue II to the location, On Scene Basra found 3 boats in that area, We then checked with each boat, no E Pirb were going off. We then searched the area for any signs of wreckage.  
 

On 6/26 around 8:45 PM  

A Call from USCG Sector Miami came into BASRA base stating that a 110 foot vessel (Envision) was overdue from WPB to Guana Cay in Abacos. We were then asked to check marinas to see if they stopped in Grand Bahama. BASRA Officials then Checked Old Bahama Bay, Port Lucaya and GB Yacht Club, But was unfortunate in locating the vessel.  

On 6/29 around 4:29PM  

A Call came in from Insurance broker Bob Heekin that a boat had been stolen from Bahia Mar around the 1st of June. He had received info that it may be in Chub Cay or may have cleared there and would we check. BASRA then called Chub and asked them to check marina and records  
 

BASRA’s friendly Boater’s reminder for the Month of June.  

Please always file a Float Plan

What is a Float Plan? If you are going for just a few hours on your boat, let someone know where you expect to be and when you expect to return. If you plan a longer cruise, leave a copy of a written float plan with your marina, yacht club, or friend. A float plan includes a description of your boat, who is on board, a description of the safety equipment you are carrying, where you expect to be, and when you expect to be there. Instruct the person holding the float plan to notify BASRA if you do not return within a reasonable time after your scheduled arrival (taking into account weather, etc.). When you arrive at your destination, or if your plans change, notify the person holding your float plan to avoid unnecessary worry and possible waste of search and rescue resources. There is no special or official form that you must use for a float plan, though you may find convenient pre-printed ones available in boating supply stores and catalogs, or you can generate a customized form using our Float Plan template online.  

Safe Boating to all!!



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