Amver ship assists ill sailor in the Atlantic

A Swedish sailor aboard a 34 foot catamaran can breathe a sigh of relief after being rescued by the Amver participating ship, Hansa Visby, after experiencing a medical emergency 1,475 miles south east of Bermuda on Thursday November 29, 2012.

The 44 year old male aboard the sailboat Ipixuna contacted local rescue authorities in Gris Nez who then contacted U.S. Coast Guard rescue personnel. The U.S. Coast Guard ran an Amver Surface Picture (SURPIC) and located the 511 foot general cargo ship Hansa Visby 175 miles away from the sailboat and sailing in its direction.  The sailboat, cargo ship, and Coast Guard authorities maintained a two hour communications schedule.

The Hansa Visby, managed by Leonhardt and Blumberg of Hamburg, Germany, arrived on scene and lowered a harness down the pilot ladder. The sick yachtsman from the Ipixuna climbed aboard the cargo ship from a small tender. His brother joined him aboard the ship. The crew of the Hansa Visby provided medical attention to the ill sailor while continuing on their journey to Suriname.

The Hansa Visby enrolled in Amver on January 1, 1989 and has earned 20 Amver Awards for participation.

Photo credit: marinetraffic.com