Monday, June 25, 2018

French sailors rescued by Amver participating bulk carrier

The Amver participating bulk carrier Omiros L rescued two sailors from their sailboat after the steering gear fouled on a voyage from the United States to the Azores on Wednesday, June 20, 2018.

U.S. Coast Guard rescue personnel, working with their French counterparts at Rescue Coordination Center Griz Nez, were alerted to 12 meter sailboat with fouled steering and requesting assistance. The Coast Guard queried the Amver system and requested the 751-foot bulk carrier to change course and assist the sailors. The Omiros L was only 12 miles away from the distress location.

Within an hour of receiving the call for help, captain John Antonio had his ship alongside the sailboat and prepared the crew for rescue operations. "The weather was rough with Beaufort Scale 6 [winds approximately 22-27 knots] and waves of three and a half meters," emailed Captain Antonio. "But we've safely rescued the two Frenchmen."

The Liberian flagged ship left the sailboat adrift and the survivors will remain on board until the ship reaches New Orleans, La. The Omiros L, managed by Kyla Shipping of Greece, enrolled in Amver on October 7, 2013 and has earned four Amver participation awards.

Photo credit: crew of the M/V Omiros L

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