SANCTUARY

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Sanctuary evacuated off Bermudas

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard 5th District command center helped coordinate the rescue of five people 256 miles northeast of Bermuda with the assistance of the cruise ship "Norwegian Gem" on Oct 29, 2011. At approximately 7 a.m., watchstanders received notification from a member of the "Sanctuary", stating that they had taken several large breaking waves over the bow, had lost power and were slowly taking on water. A C-130 Hercules crew from Air Station Elizabeth City was launched to locate and assist. The crew all had life jackets on, but their life raft had washed overboard. Using AMVER, the Automated Mutual-assistance Vessel Rescue system, the Coast Guard asked the captain of the "Norwegian Gem" to assist. The "Norwegian Gem" diverted course and was directed to the scene by the C-130 crew. The 39-foot sailboat was located approximately 350 nautical miles from New York in the North Atlantic Ocean, two hours away from the "Norwegian Gem". Upon reaching the "Sanctuary", the "Norwegian Gem" encountered extreme weather conditions with wind force up to 40 knots and large swells, making it challenging to launch the ship's rescue boat. Once in the water, the rescue boat made contact with the sailboat and quickly transferred the five occupants, four males and a woman. At approximately 2 p.m., the yachties and the rescue team were all safely aboard the "Norwegian Gem". The ship, which was returning from Bermuda, continued on its route back to New York and arrived in the morning of October 30, just a few minutes later than the scheduled arrival, and the "Sanctuary"-crew disembarked in port.