Urgent help needed to recover abandoned yacht NW Barbados

[Dave_S]

I don't think anyone has mentioned radar. Knowing stuff all about it but couldn't radar pick up possibles at a fair distance without having to visually inspect every inch 50,000sq miles.

Wishing you all the best, wish I was over there, it would be a bit of an adventure to go out and look with you.

[RPZ]

Um, no I'm not. But at least, even pre-dhs, the CG and Customs, have a 24 hr operation and system in place being used. And evidently down around and offshore of those islands they don't.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by RPZ

Um, no I'm not. But at least, even pre-dhs, the CG and Customs, have a 24 hr operation and system in place being used. And evidently down around and offshore of those islands they don't.

Apparently not at Moorehead City/Beaufort Inlet either.. despite having one of their largest base's there..

[allwentwrong]

From where I left it to the next AIS ping it had travelled 64 nm in 2 days on a 316' track so if it carried on that heading, it's within 300nm NE of Antigua. If the drouge lines have chaffed through and it's heading more with the wind and current, then it's within 100nm E of Barbuda. I'm keeping my hopes up as I have lots of people, pilots, shipping, Coastguards looking out for it. Maybe even pirates/ scavengers with a soft spot

[RPZ]

AWW,
Well like many others here I'm wishing you the best, and from what you have just said it does not sound hopeless at all.

[hellosailor]

AN amphib would be good, but according to the makers a Twin Otter amphib even with the extended range tanks, has a range of less than 1000nm and if you are looking for a boat that is 500 miles out...or hoping to loiter for ten hours at closer range...ain't gonna do the job.

There is, or recently was, a fully restored and operational PBY Catalina owned by a Delta airlines pilot based around Opalocka, near Miami. Now, that would be more likely than an Otter, assuming the owner wanted to make it available.

Of course even with an amphib, the question is what kind of spares would the OP and his crew need to bring out to recover the boat. What kind of improvised rudder, and perhaps fuel drum and battery?


Allwent, I don't know which position data you are referring to and in deference to your wish for secrecy won't say more about the Dec.23rd position which is available (with some searching) online. But that post seems to be the only public one after the abandonment, and it is very different from what you're referring to. Either way...if the boat is upright, there should be more than one or two sporadic AIS positions available from the satellite companies. Considering what air charters of any kind cost...I'd buy the satellite AIS feed first.

[meatservo]

The odds of putting an amphib. down in the open ocean is laughable unless you had dead calm conditions...

Which is highly unlikely in a twin otter, an Albatross or a PBY maybe, Jimmy Buffet has one!


meatservo

[StuM]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Given the lack of any better, other, or contradictory information, and withholding some specifics because the OP does not want to share them.
The last AIS broadcast, 12/23, puts the vessel 500+ miles out to sea, at a speed of 2.4knots (roughly 50 miles per day) heading FURTHER OUT TO SEA. Not at all towards Antigua or any other island.
So by now, unless there is reason to thinl that AIS data was wrong, the boat WILL BE 1000 MILES FROM LAND. Any land.

If you're basing those calculations on the two positions that the OP gave earlier in this thread (the only positions I have seen), then I'm glad you're not my navigator. They show it drifting roughly towards South Carolina

[bob-lauriem]

Originally Posted by allwentwrong

From where I left it to the next AIS ping it had travelled 64 nm in 2 days on a 316' track so if it carried on that heading, it's within 300nm NE of Antigua. If the drouge lines have chaffed through and it's heading more with the wind and current, then it's within 100nm E of Barbuda. I'm keeping my hopes up as I have lots of people, pilots, shipping, Coastguards looking out for it. Maybe even pirates/ scavengers with a soft spot

I just spent 2 1/2 weeks on Barbuda's SE coast. Just left yesterday. I hike the east coast all of the time, up north of Castle Hill. I scanned the horizon just 2 days ago with you in mind from the top of Castle. Nothing and have been keeping an eye. If it comes ashore on the east coast of Barbuda though, well...not good. Probably heading back up in a couple of days and keeping an eye. Good luck. Bob

[boatman61]

I'm curious how MarkJ and AWW's get together went yesterday.. if it happened..
He's pretty well connected down there what with one thing and another.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Bob.

[bob-lauriem]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Bob.

Off topic; From Thunder Bay? Us too. Small world.

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by allwentwrong

I appreciate all positive comments
Could just do without all the negative should've could've would've comments from people.
I feel **** enough as it is.
Looking back there's a lot of things I would've done different, but can't dwell on those now.
Just got to look ahead and keep positive.
So thank you to everyone who has been in touch with me via pm

If I were you I would feel extremely lucky. Had you lost your rudder in the middle of the trip, 1500 miles from anywhere, this story would have had a very different end. You and your family are safe and all you have lost so far is a boat.

In all honesty, if the things you're thinking you could have done differently revolve around having remained on the boat, I think you made the right choice.

[TJ D]

I see that there is still some talk, mostly from hellosailor that the satellite AIS services need to be purchased by AWW.

There is no need. I have a satellite account, and I am watching. There is no need for him or anyone else to spend their money on this. It's taken care of.

AWW knows that I'm here and keeping an eye out for any new pings.

Hope that clears it up.

TJ

[SFS]

Are you seeing anything? And does your service allow you to scroll back in time to see past positions?