Amver container ship tows sailboat to safety

The Amver participating boxship CMA CGM Brazil towed a 46-foot sailboat to safety in St. Marten after the sailboat reported they were taking on water and disabled approximately 315 miles east north east of San Juan, Puerto Rico on Thursday, May 24, 2018.

U.S. Coast Guard rescue authorities in San Juan, Puerto Rico were notified by two sailors who's boat was taking on water through the rudder shaft. While they were able to keep up with the flooding with pumps, they were afraid they may have to abandon ship.

The Coast Guard queried the Amver system and located the Singapore flagged container ship, CMA CGM Brazil, and requested it divert to assist the sailboat. The master of the 620-foot ship agreed to divert and assist if possible. The CMA CGM Brazil was only 45 miles away from the distress location and was able to locate the sailboat.

The master and crew of the container ship devised a plan to tow the sailboat to a shallow, safe harbor. Despite ten knot winds and five foot waves, the crew of the CMA CGM Brazil was able to tow the sailboat to St. Martin. The two sailors were in good health and able to stay aboard the sailboat.

The CMA CGM Brazil, which enrolled in Amver on November 30, 2015, handed over the sailboat and two survivors to St. Martin Coast Guard authorities and resumed its voyage.

Photo credit: crew of the CMA CGM Brazil