NEWINGTON, CT, July 30, 2004--Amateur Radio operators in the US, French Polynesia and Australia played an vital role in the successful late-June rescue of a couple aboard a privately owned sailboat in the Pacific Ocean. The drama began June 25 after John Caine, VK4CEJ, in Queensland, Australia, checked into the Pacific Seafarers Net on 14.313 MHz with emergency traffic from the 47-foot sailing ketch Fingolfin, some 680 nautical miles north of Nuka Hiva--the largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. A young Australian couple, John and Kelly Hallows, were on their way from Mexico to the Marquesas. With the trip taking longer than anticipated, John Hallows had run out of a required medication and was experiencing debilitating pain.
Through Maritime Mobile Service Net (MMSN) member Bob Botik, K5SIV, in Austin, Texas, the US Coast Guard in Honolulu and a shipping firm, arrangements were made for the Greek container vessel Irene Logos to rendezvous with the Fingolfin and transfer the needed medication. Unfortunately, the larger vessel struck the ketch during the transfer, badly damaging it. To add insult to injury, the medication transferred turned out to be the wrong one. Eventually other Amateur Radio operators became part of the unfolding drama, and Botik found himself as a key player.
Later on June 25, Richard Le Massena, W6KH, in Vista, California, checked into the MMSN on 14.300 MHz to report that he was in contact on 17 meters with Stephen Hindrichs, VE0WND, aboard the S/V Wind Runner. VE0WND was in contact with the Fingolfin, and the Hallowses were still requesting assistance. Le Massena contacted the Coast Guard in San Diego, but propagation sufficient to handle traffic into the Pacific didn't become favorable until later in the day. Bill Healy, N6JRD/mm, in the Pacific relayed information from the Fingolfin to Bob, KA6LSL, in Yuma, Arizona, who, in turn, passed the traffic to K5SIV, who was in contact with the Coast Guard in Honolulu. In the meantime, VK4CEJ also copied the Fingolfin's transmissions and contacted the couple's families in Australia.
The Coast Guard meanwhile was in touch with the French Navy in French Polynesia to effect a rescue. But the situation aboard the Fingolfin continued to deteriorate. John Hallows no longer was no longer able to assist in piloting the damaged vessel, and his wife, injured during the collision with the container vessel, was in pain and exhausted. Both also were suffering symptoms of dehydration. An hourly schedule with the Fingolfin on 14.300 MHz was maintained with stations staying on frequency after the MMSN shut down.
The next day, Botik patched Dr Jim Hirschman, K4TCV, in Miami to the Fingolfin so Hirschman could attempt a medical assessment. He determined that Kelly Hallows likely had suffered a broken leg or pelvis. Due to the couple's dehydration, evacuation became imperative. The French Navy patrol vessel La Tapageuse came on 14.300 MHz to advise it was on its way to the Fingolfin's last-known position and estimated it would take 30 hours to get there. Via VK4CEJ and K5SIV, a series of questions and answers to and from the Fingolfin were relayed to La Tapageuse. With ARRL Field Day impending, alternative non-amateur frequencies were arranged to maintain continued contact.
The K6FQ Field Day operation near Mount Palomar reported overhearing some of the Fingolfin communications, and participants monitored as events transpired. "With this real-life experience under our belts, several of our VHF/UHF-only operators are now working on license upgrades to expand their privileges into other Amateur Radio frontiers," commented Kurt Barnhart, W5WRJ.
The Fingolfin's situation continued to worsen. The vessel was taking on water and eventually lost one mast, which also struck its only lifeboat, rendering it unusable. The broken mast also threatened to bring down the radio antenna. Amateurs on frequency advised the Fingolfin to stay on frequency no matter what. Eventually the other mast would fall.
A few hours later, the increasingly stressed, demoralized and desperate couple made contact with Gary Walls, KE6SD/mm, aboard the S/V Amidon Light in Suwarrow Atoll and with N6JRD/mm. The two amateurs discussed with the couple similar experiences they'd had at sea and attempted to lift their spirits to get them through the crisis.
La Tapageuse finally reached the Fingolfin on June 27 and took the couple aboard, but the sailboat had to be scuttled. Botik subsequently received an e-mail to confirm that John and Kelly Hallows were admitted to a hospital in Nuka Hiva. In early July, he spoke with the Tahiti Rescue Coordination Center was told that the couple had been released from the hospital. The extent of Kelly Hallows' injuries was not known.
Earlier this month, Botik received a letter of appreciation from Rear Adm C. D. Wurster of the US Coast Guard in Honolulu.
"Your valiant efforts enabled the US Coast Guard to obtain key medical and logistical information from the S/V Fingolfin and then respond with a French Navy patrol boat from Tahiti," Wurster said. "Your efforts and skills in radio communications directly resulted in the safe rescue of two personnel."
Wurster said he applauded Botik's "unselfish devotion and commitment to aiding others in distress."
"Your actions uphold the highest principles and traditions of humanitarian service and of the U.S. Coast Guard."
A more detailed account of the Fingolfin rescue is available on the
MMSN Web site.--MMSN Assistant Net
Manager Tom Job, VE3II
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