Monday, July 17, 2006
BSA Ship Argus rescues diver
As promised in my post above, here is the article about the Argus saving a diver in the open ocean:
Monday, April 26, 2004
While underway returning from a weekend trip to Catalina Island with Troop 681 on the Boy Scout Tall ship Argus, a new trainee spotted a man in the water off the port side. Zack, on his first voyage on the Argus decided to look at the object floating about 150 yards away closer with a pair of binoculars. “I was wondering if I could read what the logos on the balloons might be.” To his surprise it appeared that there was a green balloon being waved by a man. Dan Carlock had become separated from his dive partners on a dive out by the oil platforms mid channel between the mainland and Catalina Island. Surfacing alone he tried to attract attention with his whistle but was unnoticed as the current swept him further away. “I had been in the water over four hours”, reported Dan.
Serendipity had certainly been at play as we were well off the normal direct run from Catalina to Newport Harbor. The Argus was off course as a result of altering course to avoid the ‘cargo ships’ whose booming horns we could hear in the thick fog. The fog was lifting and we were heading back to Newport when we spotted the man in the water. Zack said, “ Because we had practiced a man over-board yesterday (Saturday) I knew just what to do. “MAN OVERBOARD” was yelled and quickly all hands leaped to the drill. The small boat was brought in and was underway within seconds. “This is NOT A DRILL” yelled Captain Fred a long time captain of the vessel. First Mate Al Sorkin yelled, “Main sail crew keep pointing,” all hands were pointing at the man in the water and a life ring had been deployed as per previous training.
“Headsail crew douse the inner jib and outer jib” the mate Al called. This was done so that the captain could maneuver the ship easier as our engine roared to the job speeding us toward the small boat already half way to the man in the water. “Start the Generator and heat some water for cocoa,” I requested. I knew that the man had to be cold. The next order was, “Bring blankets and dry towels to the main deck he might be in shock!” All of the training we had ever done was important.
Within minutes we had him aboard and got him dry and warm. One of the men supplied him with dry clothes, and another made him a sandwich as one of our scout leaders Kelly S. (a Navy Paramedic), checked all of his body signs.
“He’s alert and doing well”, we reported by radio to the Coast Guard. “We are on our way to your position” they replied. As Captain Fred went in to the Galley to meet our guest, he joked; “That will be $4.50 for the sandwich.” Every one laughed knowing that not only were we PREPARED but also we had done our GOOD TURN for the day.
Monday, April 26, 2004
While underway returning from a weekend trip to Catalina Island with Troop 681 on the Boy Scout Tall ship Argus, a new trainee spotted a man in the water off the port side. Zack, on his first voyage on the Argus decided to look at the object floating about 150 yards away closer with a pair of binoculars. “I was wondering if I could read what the logos on the balloons might be.” To his surprise it appeared that there was a green balloon being waved by a man. Dan Carlock had become separated from his dive partners on a dive out by the oil platforms mid channel between the mainland and Catalina Island. Surfacing alone he tried to attract attention with his whistle but was unnoticed as the current swept him further away. “I had been in the water over four hours”, reported Dan.
Serendipity had certainly been at play as we were well off the normal direct run from Catalina to Newport Harbor. The Argus was off course as a result of altering course to avoid the ‘cargo ships’ whose booming horns we could hear in the thick fog. The fog was lifting and we were heading back to Newport when we spotted the man in the water. Zack said, “ Because we had practiced a man over-board yesterday (Saturday) I knew just what to do. “MAN OVERBOARD” was yelled and quickly all hands leaped to the drill. The small boat was brought in and was underway within seconds. “This is NOT A DRILL” yelled Captain Fred a long time captain of the vessel. First Mate Al Sorkin yelled, “Main sail crew keep pointing,” all hands were pointing at the man in the water and a life ring had been deployed as per previous training.
“Headsail crew douse the inner jib and outer jib” the mate Al called. This was done so that the captain could maneuver the ship easier as our engine roared to the job speeding us toward the small boat already half way to the man in the water. “Start the Generator and heat some water for cocoa,” I requested. I knew that the man had to be cold. The next order was, “Bring blankets and dry towels to the main deck he might be in shock!” All of the training we had ever done was important.
Within minutes we had him aboard and got him dry and warm. One of the men supplied him with dry clothes, and another made him a sandwich as one of our scout leaders Kelly S. (a Navy Paramedic), checked all of his body signs.
“He’s alert and doing well”, we reported by radio to the Coast Guard. “We are on our way to your position” they replied. As Captain Fred went in to the Galley to meet our guest, he joked; “That will be $4.50 for the sandwich.” Every one laughed knowing that not only were we PREPARED but also we had done our GOOD TURN for the day.
Labels: Scouts
# posted by - Rob @ 11:43 AM 
