Three sailors were rescued by an Amver participating container ship after their 38 foot sailboat, Shunpiker, lost power 246 miles east of Savannah, Ga. on November 4, 2011.
U.S. Coast Guard rescue personnel received two Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) alerts for the sailboat which had departed Washington, N.C. on a voyage to Marsh Harbor, Bermuda. Rescue personnel sent a rescue aircraft from Air Station Elizabeth City and requested the Amver participating container ship, E.R. Albany, divert to the last known location of the Shunpiker.
The aircraft used their direction finding capabilities to quickly locate the sailboat but were unable to see it as winds were greater than 30 knots and waves were 7 to 10 feet. The E.R. Albany was only three hours away and quickly turned to offer assistance.
The E.R. Albany came alongside the Shunpiker and lowered a pilot ladder. All three yachtsmen were able to quickly climb aboard the 659 foot ship and were in good health with no injuries. The sailboat was left adrift.
The Liberian flagged container ship will take the survivors to its next port of call in Aljezier, Spain where they will return to the United States.
The E.R. Albany, managed by ER Schiffahrt GmbH of Hamburg, Germany, enrolled in the Amver system in April, 1996 and has earned 6 awards for participation.
Photo credit: Crew of the M/V E.R. Albany
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