Accidents of the Week - January 6, 2024
BoatTEST publishes “Accidents of the Week” as a public service for our VIP Subscribers to acquaint them with potential boating dangers and by inference their prevention.
Coast Guard Aids Vessel Stranded off Beach in Guam
12/23/23 – Santa Rita, GU
In a successful search and rescue operation executed by U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam and Guam Fire Rescue, the recreational vessel Rascal, with six adults aboard, was safely towed to Hagåtña Boat Basin after being disabled and adrift off Tanguisson Beach on 23 December.
"This case underscores the importance of being prepared and calling for help at the first sign of trouble at sea," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Will Naden, the coxswain of CG 45753. "Our timely response was crucial, but equally important was the crew of Rascal's swift decision to contact us. Navigating through winds of 18-20 knots and 7-foot seas, our team demonstrated skill and coordination, ensuring a safe outcome."
The Joint Rescue Sub-Center watchstanders received the distress call on the morning of 23 December from the operator of Rascal, a 28-foot Boston Whaler. The watchstanders promptly entered the distress phase of operations, issuing an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and coordinating the Search and Rescue mission. They also placed the Rascal crew on a 15-minute communications check-in schedule during response. The ready 45-foot Response-Boat Medium CG 45753 crew from Station Apra Harbor launched, while watchstanders also briefed Guam Fire Rescue 2 for assistance.
Despite challenging sea conditions, the CG 45753 crew, departing from Sumay Cove, reached Rascal within an hour of the call. They located the vessel drifting away from the reef, aided by winds and seas. The crew successfully executed a stern tow, with the Rascal arriving safely at Hagåtña Boat Basin, escorted by GFR 2, just over an hour after beginning the tow. A post-rescue boarding confirmed the boaters' compliance with safety measures.
Boater in Distress Rescued by Deputy in Georgia
12/24/23 – Camden Co., GA
A boater who lost power on his small boat was rescued by a sheriff’s deputy in Camden County, Georgia, late Christmas Eve.
After the boater lost power, he managed to tie up the boat under a bridge to keep it from floating further down the river. Fortunately, a deputy spotted the man and his dog as temperatures started to drop.
A marine unit of the Camden County Sheriff’s Office got the man and his dog safely back to the boat ramp, where they could warm up.
Missing Canoeist’s Body Found Off North Florida Coast
12/23/23 – Vilano Beach, FL
The body of a man who disappeared while canoeing on 23 December was found north of Vilano Beach, Florida.
Relatives of Eiffel Gilyana, 46, told local reporters that fishermen had found the missing canoeist, who had disappeared near the St. Augustine inlet. The Coast Guard suspended its search on Christmas Eve, after covering 341 square miles of ocean, but members of Task Force Hydro 1, a local veteran nonprofit, continued to look for Gilyana.
Canoeist Not Wearing PFD
“Eiffel went out on the single canoe with two other local guys,” said Leonardo Yui, Task Force Hydro 1 co-founder. “They went out just to go into the ocean to catch the waves.”
The Coast Guard said Gilyana was not wearing a life jacket when he went missing. Leonardo said Gilyana was in an outrigger canoe and if that flipped, even the strongest of swimmers would have a hard time fighting the current.
One Teen Missing, 4 Saved on Cape Fear River
12/28/23 – Lee Co., NC
Four people were rescued from the Cape Fear River on 28 December in Lee County, North Carolina.
Rescue crews were searching the river at Lett's Landing on the 3200 block of Buckhorn Road just south of Moncure for five people who went to the river. Rescuers searched from the air, on land, and in the water on the afternoon of 28 December after the teens were reported missing. Authorities said the location of one of the people was unknown, but Swiftwater rescue teams were able to rescue four of them.
The four people who were rescued were expected to be okay, and the search for the fifth person was set to resume the following day at dawn, with any new information to be provided by the Cape Fear Fire Department.