Aground In Cuba

[Bill_E]

We've been sailing down the Thorny Path and one morning while listening to Chris Parker's weather I heard about a sailboat that was on the reef on the western coast of Cuba. I think that it was on December 3. The vessel is named Columbine. We were able to relay some of the messages. Chris called the US Coast Guard on the phone and they sent a cutter to pull Columbine off of the reef. I've been pretty much out of touch, via internet since then. but I'm kind of curious about what eventually happened to the boat and its passengers.

Does anyone have any more information???

Thanks
Bill

[Ram]

Originally Posted by wlearl

We've been sailing down the Thorny Path and one morning while listening to Chris Parker's weather I heard about a sailboat that was on the reef on the western coast of Cuba. I think that it was on December 3. The vessel is named Columbine. We were able to relay some of the messages. Chris called the US Coast Guard on the phone and they sent a cutter to pull Columbine off of the reef. I've been pretty much out of touch, via internet since then. but I'm kind of curious about what eventually happened to the boat and its passengers.

Does anyone have any more information???

Thanks
Bill

Havent heard anything, but now a days the coast guard does not pull anyone off reefs-atleast thats my understanding anyway-only people

[barnakiel]

Sending USCG to Cuba? Is it not too far - meaning: saving property is not for free. Not cheaper to hire a local gun?

b.

[SteveHoiland]

Why do you think the US Coast Guard would be involved in a rescue mission in Cuabn waters? Not.

[s/v Sangaris]

Just heard from the deliver skipper that the CG was denied permission to enter Cuban waters to assist and that they, the Cuban authorities, would send help. That didn't happen for many hours, and the skipper reports, "...about 1500 on December 3 with a crew member displaying signs of a possible life threatening medical condition and the boat starting to come apart, I declared an emergency and asked the Coast Guard to take us off the boat, which they did." All arrived safely back in Key West.

No further details at this time.

[Euro Cruiser]

Moreover, USCG cutters have somewhat regularly made port calls at Cuban ports. E.g. this has been covered by Latitude 38...when the L38 folks also were making port calls (in the former editor's/owner's U.S. yacht) on Cuba's southern coast. As with many other aspects of cruising in foreign waters, things aren't as black 'n white as they may seem when drawing on the normal info sources within the USA.

Jack

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Euro Cruiser

Moreover, USCG cutters have somewhat regularly made port calls at Cuban ports...
Jack

I very much doubt that USCG Cutters would be welcome to call at "Cuban"* Ports.

*Excepting "Gitmo", at Guantanamo Bay

Ie: The Coast Guard Cutter Oak returned home to Charleston Saturday after a 30-day deployment to Florida, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Port Au Prince, Haiti, and San Juan, Puerto Rico ...
➥ Coast Guard Cutter Oak returns from 30-day deployment

[Artful Dodger]

Everything is just not in black and white there is grey and for that reason they keep persons like Gord May happy if it is written it must be true. Where as Canadians are permitted to travel there and we see many things different then that which is written, showing us that Cuba can be and is at most times a very nice place.

[Christian Van H]

I believe the Coast Guard drops "captured" Cuban boat people off in Cuban ports quite often. A friend's kid is a rescue swimmer onboard a cutter...he drives the launch to take them ashore.