Bulk carrier makes first Amver rescue of 2014

24 Chinese seafarers abandoned ship and were rescued by an Amver ship 440 miles west of Guam on Monday, January 20, 2014. The Chinese seafarers abandoned their 500-foot cargo ship after experiencing flooding and engine failure late Sunday evening.

Rescue personnel at the Coast Guard Sector Guam Command Center received a call from the crew of the Rich Forest who said their ship was taking on water at a rate of 160 tons per hour and their generators failed. The Rich Forest was carrying logs to China.

The Coast Guard Cutters Assateague and Sequoia were diverted from Guam and rescue authorities used the Amver system to located the C.S. Sunshine, a 623 foot bulk carrier, to assist in the rescue. The captain of the C.S. Sunshine agreed to divert his vessel.

The crew of C.S. Sunshine reported they were on scene in very bad weather with 20 foot seas and winds greater than 40 knots. When asked for an update on the rescue situation the master of the Panamanian flagged bulk carrier reported "... we are in a dangerous situation and will update you shortly," after which the crew notified rescue authorities that all 24 seafarers were safely aboard the C.S. Sunshine.

The master of the C.S. Sunshine remains in contact with Coast Guard rescue authorities in Guam and is coordinating the safe return of the Chinese crewmen. The C.S. Sunshine enrolled in the Amver system on October 22, 2012 and has earned one Amver participation award.