Amazing Rescue

homerjack · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 8:40 pm Post subject: Amazing Rescue

EPIRB saves life. Amazing video.
https://www.alaskapublic.org/2020/11/19/shipwrecked-in-storm-retired-fisherman-gets-unexpected-rescue-in-southeast-alaska/

thataway · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:01 pm Post subject:

Wow! Amazing rescue. Hats off. the the men and women of the CG who do these rescues. Good IR footage, and shows how difficult it is to spot a man in the water, even with military grade gear. Top that with rescue in 12' seas! Chopper pilot, crew and rescue swimmer are all at the top of their game.

One take away is that having an EPRIB/PLB is definitely life saving--and it needs to be on the person--not stowed away somewhere, hoping it will float free.

Second is a light is almost essential for finding the victim. A strobe draws attention, but can be disorienting from an aircraft or surface vessel when close. A steady light is also necessary. We try and carry both. ARC makes a combination strobe and flashlight or individual strobes and flashlights made to go on an arm band.. They are relatively cheap, and waterproof.

garyf · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 3:01 am Post subject:

Very impressive... I guess I'll back off on the Coast Guard jokes for a little while. Great commercial for EPIRBs... and survival suits.

Discovery · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 11:12 am Post subject:

A good lesson here.

I've still have an Adult size immersion suit for sale. I think I have sold the Medium size one to a C-Brat. $100 you pay the shipping

I also have an older EPIRB I'm not sure what to do with.

NORO LIM · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks for posting that. What an impressive rescue. Hats off to those coasties and their skill, bravery, and determination. I once put my survival suit on right about where this rescue occurred. I was coming south out of Ernest Sound in increasingly bad conditions. I thought about seeking refuge in Union Bay, but I was not personally familiar with it and concluded it just looked too exposed. I opted to round the point and head for Meyers Chuck. It was one of two times I've been absolutely hammered in Clarence Strait. Timing the turn so I could surf into the narrow entrance to Meyers Chuck was enough excitement to last me a long time. I spent two days in the safety of Meyers watching frightening water out in Clarence Strait.

That was the first real test of my boat (and me, I guess) in bad conditions. It certainly gave me confidence in the boat! I did not have an EPIRB, but in addition to my survival suit, I had my ditch bag, PLB, VHF and flash light at the ready. I think it's probably a good thing, but it never occurred to me that the Coast Guard could possibly show up that quickly out there. Anyway, it ended well for me, and I was doubly sure after that to carry emergency and survival gear at all times.

Foggy · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 5:25 pm Post subject:

"The Guardian" - still at work.

Aye.

gulfcoast john · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 5:36 pm Post subject:

If you’re only occasionally crossing Lake Ontario, you can rent an EPIRB by the week from BoatUS:

http://www.boatus.org/epirb/rentals/

The vast majority of PLB’s and EPIRBs (esp ACR) have batteries that must be replaced every 5 years even if self-test sequence shows battery is good (battery exp label is on each unit). ACR does not sell EPIRB replacement batteries to the public, you must send in your unit to an ACR Authorized Battery Replacement Center. They don’t just replace it, also the seals, O-rings, function test, antenna test etc which is usually over $250 w shipping. And ACR will not replace a battery in a unit discontinued 10 years ago or over 12 years old.

https://www.hodgesmarine.com/acr2844.91-acr-fbrs-2844-battery-replacement-service--glob.html?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping%20-%20All%20Products&utm_term=1100200315462&utm_content=Shopping%20-%20All%20Products

The good news is that if you ever set off your ACR device and get saved, they’ll replace your unit for free (I bet ACR would give this fellow another one even if his receipt is on the bottom with his boat).

Rather than replace the battery again on my old ACR, , I bought a new ACR GlobalFix V4 EPIRB in 2019 for $399 on sale with a 10 year battery (“Battery Expiry: 07/2029”). This could be cheaper in the long run. Check the battery exp date on the unit before buying to be sure.

Although you can find non-OEM batteries that claim to be the same on EBAY, I wouldn’t advise going there for life-saving equipment.

This fellow would be a goner had he chosen a PLB rather than EPIRB, because no PLB can self activate when it hits the water, it won’t float upright with the antenna pointing upward (many won’t float at all), and he didn’t have time for the 3-step process to activate a PLB. I can’t find the reference right now, but I have previously read that an EPIRB activation requires a COPAS-SARSAT SAR launch, but a PLB (or your Garmin Inreach satellite text unit) does not.

Happy shopping!
John

Marco Flamingo · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 6:23 pm Post subject:

The survivor's comments were interesting, hoping that they don't find the boat. That way, no clean up problems and "no maintenance." It does seem like a good time to end one's boating activities.

Mark

hardee · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 6:05 am Post subject:

He had two things necessary in that situation: The EPIRB went off, AND he had a survival suit. He was on the hatch cover for 2 hours, and not fully down into the water. Would never have survived without the suit and the ability to get out of the water. The lights helped in the SAR, but the IR camera would have been able to pick him out, without the light, just not as easily. Doesn't seem like 50 knot winds and 12 foot waves would be that unusual for those waters for November. What a way to "get free".

Harvey
SleepyC Moon