Saturday, June 29, 2013

Huge Lead In Search For Lady Domina

A search with heart!





WANTED MISSING:  HAVE YOU SEEN THIS BOAT?



The Lady Domina disappeared from St. Marten on March 31st, 2013. Please contact us if you have any information about the boat or the crew.


The last week has been a roller coaster for Tore Christiansen, Tim Paynter and Petter Høiesen, a cousin to one of the missing crew from the Lady Domina and a few other people. For those who are following our account of the search, the Lady Domina disappeared on March 31st, 2013, after departing Marigot Bay, St. Martin. No one has come forward claiming to have seen the yacht since then.





View Marigot Bay, St Martin in a larger map



The tip we received could have resolved many of the details regarding the missing yacht.  There still would have been some nagging questions, but it would have provided a path to more leads and a chance for some likely closure on behalf of the family members.


Because the family reads this blog, and we know how difficult this process is, I was asked not to share the exact nature of the tip.  Tore Christiansen has done a great job at coordinating tips and leads.  When Tore says don't publish something, I listen.

Instead I would like to address the courage it takes to come forward.  Let's say you have some information but you really don't want to get involved.  Maybe your information would lead to a resolution of this case, but one can never be sure.  Worse, what happens if your information results in another dead end?

To this I say, the courageous come forward.  The cowards stay silent.  No one is going to fault a person who has information that leads to a dead end.  We understand there must be a certain number of dead ends in order for the truth to be found.  Each dead end we hit is one notch closer to the truth.

The person who came forward with information is a sailor in St. Maarten who now feels bad because the lead does not appear as if it will pan out.  I told him, rather than feeling badly about it, he should feel like a hero.  It took courage to make the report, to take time out of his life to come forward, those are actions of a person with character and conviction.






NA Coast Guard


With this lead, we had to involve the Netherlands Antilles Coast Guard.  Normally, when the authorities say they are unable to connect the dots, we take that as a no and move to the next lead.  Because this lead looked SO PROMISING, we went back to the Coast Guard four times asking them, "Well, did you cover this base?" "What about that base." "Someone on our team had another thought, would you consider checking certain things out."

Our first conversation with the coast guard drafted by Tore was very genteel.  We received a genteel response back.  By the fourth conversation, while each side remained respectful, the conversations were very direct and frank.  It is hard to yell at one another through email, but we were as close to email-yelling as one could get and still be courteous.  

As it turned out, the NA Coastguard took our lead very seriously from the start.  You have to learn how these organizations communicate with the public.  It is their nature to be bland and cautious in revealing details.  A response saying "We checked the lead out, we have not been able to verify it, but we will keep you posted,  By the way, we are familiar with the case and watchful" might mean they immediately investigated.  In our case, that is what the first communication meant.  

We thank the NA Coastguard for their patience with us and their willingness to immediately check on leads so the information does not become stale.






JRCC Stavanger File Photo


I also recieved a heart felt response from Jarle Øversveen, with JRCC Stavanger who was feeling a little unappreciated and who wrote:

"JRCC Stavanger has great understanding for the difficult situation the relatives are in, desperately looking for answers. We also very well understand that when the media writes that the operation ends, so amplifies this despair. Please know that a decision to suspend an action that is not resolved, is one of the hardest decisions rescue centers take. Never the less, such a decision must eventually be taken."

We do not want any of the many rescue organizations who daily put their lives on the line to feel we are not appreciative of their efforts.  We know these people are professionals and more than that, they are with us at heart.  

Tore Christiansen has been a great leader in this search for answers.  He has been incredibly patient with me and a good guiding hand.  I didn't know tore before this.  He is crusty when he has to be and gentle as a lamb otherwise.

I got to know Petter Høiesen for the first time this last week.  This is a person who speaks with great passion and conviction.  We learned a little more about Stian from Peter who is Stian's cousin.  Petter conveyed how difficult a process this has been for the family.

That brings me to me.  I must weigh whether or not I am making a positive contribution to this effort by reporting the news, and by looking for more leads.  It keeps the yachting community informed and answers questions they would like to ask but have not because they do not want to flood the families with multiple contacts.  It helps young sailors understand a little more about what happens when everything goes wrong.  Perhaps there are lessons here.  In my case, there certainly have been lessons learned. 




Bill Dietrich Photo



Ultimately, we may be able to draw conclusions about the fate of the Lady Domina if we keep asking for hope and for leads.  Only by keeping the story alive can we keep it fresh in people's minds.  

Yet, with each new lead we raise hopes and then dash them.  How important is learning the fate of Lady Domina to closure?  I would appreciate comments and points of view about the wisdom of continuing this report and my efforts in the search.

To this day, likely the most nagging lead we have is the May 5th communication overheard by a yacht called the Blue Pelican between the crew of the Lady Domina and the U.S. Coast Guard.  The Blue Pelican overheard the Coast Guard side of a request by the crew of the Lady Domina for weather information.  The Coast Guard says they have no record of it.  We could easily chalk this lead up to being a simple misunderstanding of names if the crew of the Blue Pelican were not friends of kati Lee, one of the Lady Domina crew members.  The fact is, they were friends.  In our minds that makes this lead very credible.  Yet the U.S. Coast Guard cannot confirm the lead and now refuses to discuss the matter.

I can't tell you how frustrating it is for an organization that may have the answers we seek to refer us to the initial search organization which has now suspended the search.  How can they be of any help when they have suspended the search?  They would have to reopen the case when all we are doing is checking leads to see if they are worthy of reopening a case.  We have experienced this same answer many times.





Getting back to the lead I was referring to througout this post, we seek a somebody on St. Maartin to do a little bird dogging for us.  It will take maybe a half day, we think.  We ask the somebody to have the courage to come forward and help us attempt to close this lead, so we do not have continuing nagging questions about it, too.

You can contact Tore Christiansen HERE.  You can contact me HERE.

My biggest character defect is my strongest asset.  I never give up hope.  I try to do things that can't be done.  In the process I have done things most thought could never be done.  This case has molested my conscience since the beginning.  Five sailors disappear without a trace.  I would like to keep looking and seeking answers.  However, I also want to respect those who are in pain over the prospects for the crew of the Lady Domina.

Finally, to that someone sailor in St. Maarten, who had the courage to come forward with this most recent lead, I say, Sir, you are to be commended.






















Lady Domina Update Coming Soon, New Lead!









We got a great new lead on the Lady Domina which we are working as I speak.  We will have more information in just a few days!  Be sure to stay tuned, because this mystery is ripe to be solved!







IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS YACHT, HAVE SEEN THIS YACHT, OR KNEW THE CREW, WOULD YOU PLEASE CONTACT ME?  Thanks, Uncle Tim









Do you live in the area of St. Marten?  We need a favor!  Please contact us, it will take about a half day!

The Lady Domina left St. Martin on March 31st, 2013.  She sailed somewhere, but no one has come forward to say exactly where she went.  Her original plan was to head across the Atlantic to the Azores.  However, we have information she went to Puerto Rico, and from there may have tried the Atlantic crossing.

We are seeking pictures of the crew, the boat, text messages, photos that were sent, anything you know might help us determine the route of the Lady Domina, hence look for more clues!


Tune into 
UN DIA SIN FRONTERAS





1150 AM RADIO, DENVER, CO
OR BY INTERNET FEED
HIT THE "ON AIR" BUTTON!




-->

Friday, June 28, 2013

Super Suave Charms People Everywhere They Go!



The musical group, Super Suave, charms fans everywhere they go.  This is a Latin Cumbia band which often picks up on American classics and puts their own spin on the music.  One of those is the 1964 classic, Hang on Sloopy! by the McCoys.  Super Suave added their touch, and changed the lyrics to Hey Lupe!  Lupe or Lupita, is a common name in the Latino community.  Other bands have changed the lyrics to hang on Snoopy!

Because the band often plays pop music known well to all Americans, they hit a popular note with both English and Spanish audiences.  Recently, the band has been on sabbatical as they write and record their next album.  In addition, a documentary is being prepared by Sin Fronteras Productions about how someone can come to America with almost nothing and turn it into a big success!

Here, the band plays the McCoys music.







We hope you enjoy El Grupo Super Suave. If you get a chance to hear them, they will bring a tear your eye, if you are my age, and joy to all hearts of all ages!


Esteben Trejo

 Adrian Pérez

Juan Cruz  Bass Guitar


Alejandro Lejarazo Lead Singer

We are sure you will enjoy rockin the night away with this Cumbia band!






-->






Saturday, June 22, 2013

Rocking Rock Rock Steve Miller Band At Americas Cup

Maybe the Blues are the secret to the heart!  What could be better than the Steve Miller Band? How about the Steve Miller Band and the Doobie Brothers together! They performed live at the Americas cup pavilion on piers 27/29 on Friday, June 21st, 2013!





"Sailing on San Francisco Bay - and learning to sail in general - is easier and less expensive than you think. If you've found yourself gazing with envy at colorful spinnakers on our picturesque Bay, we hope you do yourself a favor and get out on the water now." says SailSFBay.

SailSFBay Youth Outreach Program was the recipient of the half buck per ticket charity fund-raiser. Miller, who moved to San Francisco 45 years ago, was able to return a little bit to the community which helped launch his career.






SailSFBay is an association of organizations and individuals dedicated to passing along the art and enthusiasm of the magic of sail.





The next show is scheduled for July 18th.  Counting Crows and the Wildflowers will be featured.  Based upon the full house screaming and singing to the Doobie Brothers and the Steve Miller Band, you might want to get your tickets darn soon!

The news just keeps getting better.  On Saturday, October 12th, 2013, the Avett Brothers will play at the America's Cup Pavilion.  Special guest stars will include the velvet voice of Nicholas David.

Lean on me, Brother!




Tickets go on sale Friday, June 28th!





Anyone who has been on a sailboat as she skims the water, dead to the noise of an engine, with only the power of the wind and the force of higher powers to whisk their craft along, can talk about the thrill of sailing.  But the magic of wind and sail are so grand, you have to live a trip over water to really understand.  SailSFBay can help you find a way into the sailing life.  There must be a 1000 reasons to learn how to sail.  Here are 48!  Be sure to look them up at your earliest convenience.





Sailing is the most fun you can have luffing wind!












Friday, June 21, 2013

Grain De Soeil Moussette Creates Fund For Troubled Sailors

   

"In using our energy through the long term, we refuse to remain passive in the face of tragedy. We will not let the sadness and helplessness take over despite the expectation that never ends." 




On April 24th, a faint Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beam was picked up by Portuguese authorities. The signal belonged to a french crew in the yacht Grain de Soleil. The three man crew was facing heavy weather and presumed to be either under a jury rig or retired to their liferaft.




When the Portuguese government suspended the search operation friends of the crewmembers elected to raise their own funds and continue the search. $65,000 Euros, about $85,000 U.S. A month later, the French crew remains unfound.


Missing are Guillaume Moussette, Etienne Esteulle and Franck Cousin.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Forensic Search For Lady Domina A Mystery

On March 31st, crewmembers aboard a 75 foot yacht called Lady Domina set sail from St. Martin in the Caribbean for Norway with a planned stop in the Azores.  No one has seen the yacht since.  The forensic search for the yacht yields nothing but conflicting information and mysteries.




Lady Domina



Conflicting route and time schedules confuse

From the outset, statements by the captain and the first mate over both the route and the time the trip would take conflict with statements made to the rest of the crew.  The boat's owner and builder, Oyvind Slettvold (Oevind Slettvold) and his first mate Kati Lee, said the trip could take up to two months and the route would be through Puerto Rico in private conversations.  

The crew thought the huge sailboat would head to Norway directly and not go through Puerto Rico.  It was to take 14 days to the Azores, with another 15 to 16 days to Norway.




Brian Fritzner

Brian Fritzner, a/k/a Brian Fritznersgate according to VG Net, who is a friend of the boat's owner, told his wife he would be home by May 5th at the latest to take a required examination and to celebrate the birthday of the light of his life, his 6 year old son.   In his last communication home, Brian wrote:


"We travel on approx. 3 days, contact you when


we get to the Azores, a trip of 15-16 days"


Anders Mosteid, a Norwegian youth who answered an advertisement on the classifieds web site Finn.NO, for crew wanted, also said the trip to the Azores should have taken about 15 days.


Anders Mosteid



Conflicting media reports Confuse

In fact, based upon initial reports by a publication called NRK, it is not even clear who was the captain of the 75 foot custom made motor sailor.  According to NRK, Stian Abrahamsen from Kristiansand, was listed as the captain.  In other publications, Abrahamsen was listed as a citizen from England.

Kritiansand is in Norway, not England.  Most people presumed the ship's owner and builder Oyvind Slettvold, would captain the boat he built by hand with Brian Fritznersgate as a helper.  On later investigation, it appeared the early reports by NRK were reckless and served to confuse people when news of the disappearance first swept the community. 






Stian Abrahamsen, Marigot Bay
File photo superimposed



Some facts very clear

A few things were clear about Lady Domina.  Both Keith Chipping and Hele Kaspersen, Brian Fritznersgate wife, are positive the yacht left Marigot Bay on the island of St. Martin on March 31st.  They are both positive the boat was scheduled for 14 to 16 days, give or take a little.  

When the boat was roughly 30 days out on it's stated 15 day trip,Abrahamsen's parents became concerned.  At the same time,Helle Kaspersen also began to voice her concerns.  She began contacting officials who eventually put her in touch with the appropriate search and rescue authorities.

 Prior to joining Lady Domina, Abrahamsen had been boat sitting on the Coral IV, owned by Otto K. Blix Hulbak.  Hulbak put a note on the bulletin board of a Norwegian yachting publication called Sorgenfri.com.  



Katie Audrey Lee

Otto Hulbak said:
"When we were in St Lucia for Arcen this year, we met a guy named Stian. We agreed that he would stay in our boat SY Coral IV, while we were at home in Norway. When we got back to St. Lucia around 1 March, (we found) Stian aboard Lady Domina, a 73 foot sailboat that )was hand) built - in what we understand - has been about 15 years in the Caribbean with Øyvind Slettvold as skipper. (On)  the 31 March (Lady Domina) sailed from Guadeloupe, bound for the Azores. From what I understand, there were two people in addition to Stian.

 Auto Hulbak

"Now Lady Domina (has) been at sea for nearly a
month, and parents to Stian (are) starting to get worried. I was contacted by the rescue coordination center with the question if I knew anything about (how) Lady Domina was fitted. I did not - but
promised to send some probes into the sailing
community."

Continued Pg 2


Forensic Search Lady Domina Pg 2

Page 1
Page 2 You are on it!
Page 3


Enter Tore Christiansen
The "probe" resulted in a response by Tore Christiansen, a port agent for yachts visiting Brazil.  Christiansen is a Norwegian fluent in English.  He quickly posted on the Cruiser's Forum, a popular yachting site for Caribbean sailors.  It was not long before Christiansen began to run into conflicting accounts of the planned schedule for Lady Domina, as well as her route.




Kati made various estimations as to route and to time

Apparently, Kati Lee made various estimations as to how long she thought the trip would take and what route was planned.  Abrahamson, Fritzner and Anders were told the route would be from St. Martin Direct to the Azores, a set of Islands off of the European coast of Portugal and considered part of Portugal.  The group was supposed to be in the Azores in 14 days.  Another youth was scheduled to meet the yacht in the Azores.  From there, Kati said the yacht would head for Norway which would take another 15 days.

On her facebook page, she said,


"Final few days in the Caribbean. Making the most of it before a 3 week bumpy journey across the Atlantic."


On the day departure, March 31st, 2013, Kati wrote in her facebook page,  


 "Hopefully be in the AZORES in 3 weeks".


Yet, Kati Lee told a friend in England the trip could take up to two months.

Not even the route the Lady Domina took is clear to people investigating the yacht's strange disappearance.  In a conversation with her old employer, Keith Chipping, Kati mentioned going to Puerto Rico first before sailing for the Azores.  However, Hele, the wife of  Brian Ftiznersgate, said she was positive no trip to Puerto Rico was in the plans.

Chipping said he pressed Kati about why they were heading for Puerto Rico, a course of North by Northeast, when they wanted to go the Azores, a course that would take them Northwest.  Chipping said Kati did not respond to his question, but continued talking excitedly about the prospects of visiting Norway.


Actual route appears clear...at first

After research, the Lady Domina appears to have gone to Puerto Rico.  It is unclear whether the yacht actually stopped there.  However, it appears the Lady Domina had  TWO conversations with the Coastguard near San Juan Puerto Rico.  The first conversation was on April 5th, when the Lady Domina called the Coast Guard to tell them they were "checking out" of the island.   This conversation has been verified by Tore Christiansen.





Anders Mosteid



U.S. Law requires reporting in

Under the law, when a yacht sails into U.S. territory, the captain of the vessel must report to the authorities in person.  Puerto Rico, as a U.S. territory, is considered part of the United States.  



Lady Domina

Sailing Savoir Faire checked to see if the yacht Lady Domina, had checked into Puerto Rico.  The person who answered the telephone for the Coast Guard informed us no yacht by the name of Lady Domina had checked into Puerto Rico.  Yet Christiansen confirmed the yacht reporting out of Puerto Rico.  How could a yacht check out of Puerto Rico if it never checked in?  More confusion.

The second conversation with the Coast Guard was over-heard by the crew on a yacht called Blue Pelican.  The phrase "overheard" may be a term of art.  While roughly 35 miles Southeast of Puerto Rico, the Blue Pelican overheard one half of the conversation someone on board a yacht called Lady Domina was having with the Coast Guard.










It is not unusual to hear half conversations in the yachting world.  VHF radio communications are line of sight communications.  You can hear one half of the conversation when the second party is out of radio contact with you.  In order for the crew of the Lady Domina to hear the Coast Guard they would have needed to be within about 5 miles of Puerto Rico.  That presumes the crew aboard Lady Domina were using a hand-held VHF radio yacht owner Slettvold purchased the day before the Lady Domina sailed.




Search and Rescue for the Grain de Soleil Also Includes the Lady Domina, Ann Quemarie, spokesperson for the Grain de Soleil crew.

Emergency at sea

On April 24th, an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) was set off about 500 miles South of the Azores.  Although an alert for the Lady Domina had been registered by Helle Kaspersen, the beacon belonged to another yacht.  It was set off in heavy weather and registered to the French yacht Grain de Soleil.  The beacon continued for three days and then fell silent.

A satellite service was enlisted to view the approximate wreck area where the fragmented remains of a sailboat hull was viewed on Satellite.  The hull appeared to match the color and rough shape of the Grain de Soleil.  Yet, relatives say they do not think the wreckage is that of the Grain de Soleil.

In fact, no part of the Lady Domina was turqouise, whereas portions of the wreckage were clearly turquoise.  However, by chance, the original route that most of the crew expected the Lady Domina to take should have placed the Lady Domina within a few miles of the Grain de Soleil when the Grain de Soliel triggered her EPIRB.


Grain de Soleil At Haul




Bouey found near wreckage.  Note, the moss hanging on the bouey, which would not have been in the water long enough for either for the Grain de Soleil or the Lady Domina.



Lady Domina



An official search

Search teams were sent out looking for the Grain de Soleil.  They were also instructed to keep a sharp watch for the Lady Domina.  Included in the search were two flights by a Falcon 50 jet, a P-3 Orion and a C-295 in search of the Grain de Soleil and watching for the Lady Domina.


C-295 Airbus Military Patrol Craft (Airbus)


Several ships were sent out and some large pleasure craft joined the search, as well.  Some passenger ships agreed to divert their route and participate in the search. 


One of the private yachts which joined the search


Nothing was found of the sailors from the Grain de Soleil.  Nor was anything seen from the  Lady Domina.  Yet, while the satellite picked up the shattered hull which was a similar color as the Grain de Soleil, nothing was seen of the Lady Domina or the Grain de Soleil.  




P-3 Orion



Visit in Azores

Meanwhile, the crew member who was to join the Lady Domina, Mads Poulson, says he was never going to sail with the yacht.  He says he flew to the Azores to wish his friends good will.  When they didn't show up, he turned around and went home.  But he was going to do that whether they showed up or not, he says.  Poulson also said the yacht had a radio and was in good condition.  

While the Lady Domina was said to be weak on rescue devices, there were some high-tech devices aboard Lady Domina, including a radar head which can be seen on the mast.  An EPIRB is not a large device.  In fact, many sailors carry personal emergency devices that can alert over-flying aircraft.  No emergency devices were triggered for the Lady Domina.  However, usually, along with radar, most captains install chart plotters, G.P.S.'s and other navigation equipment. 

Also, when Captain Slettvold purchased his portable VHF a day before departure, it did not mean there was no VHF on the yacht.  Often, a hard-wired radio has a hard wired microphone which can be impossible to reach while in the cockpit.  With skilled installation, a hard-wired VHF will have slightly longer range than a handheld unit.



Lady Domina, Left, Coral IV Right


Forensic Search Page 3

and parting thoughts

or 




Forensic Search Lady Domina Pg 3




Last Contacts

Presumably, the last time anyone heard from the Lady Domina was when they radioed the Coast Guard for weather information in the half-heard conversation by Blue Pelican on May 3rd.  The Coast Guard says they don't keep track of yachts that radio only for weather.  In the meantime, the Coast Guard now refuses to answer questions posed to it by Tore Christiansen or anyone.  They say the search is in the hands of the Portuguese who are heading the search.  The Portuguese took charge of the search assuming the Lady Domina arrived in waters controlled by the Portuguese. 

Before that, the Lady Domina was confirmed "checking out" of Puerto Rico on April 5, 2013.   Before that, the Lady Domina may have been in Guadalupe on April 2nd.  Finally, the Lady Domina sailed from St. Martin on March 31st, 2013.



Photo Bill Dietrich, Lady Domina

The authorities have put out a notice to seamen requiring all ships' traffic in the area to keep a close watch for the missing yacht.  Unfortunately, the Lady Domina, which could have been valued at $1,000,000 considering her size, reportedly did not carry an EPIRB.  Nor was it equipped with a short wave radio that could have been used to call into the international marine ham network for help.  Even the liferaft strapped to a rack on the stern of the Lady Domina was a second hand liferaft retired from a  passenger ship because it was too old to be reliable.  



By: Katie Audrey Lee



Possible explanations:
From one point of view, Kati Lee's statements about going to Puerto Rico and going to the Azores directly may appear to be in conflict.   Also in conflict are the estimated times of travel.  However, the difference may have been a matter of expression.  

Experienced sailors claim traveling a route Northeast in order to sail to the Northwest destination of the Azores is the most logical route to cross the Atlantic to the Azores.  That is because wind is not the only thing that moves a sailboat.  Ocean currents also propel sailboats.  It is when one can combine wind and current that the best time is made.

Unfortunately, the Lady Domina was reported to be short one sail.  That was the main sail.  She only had her fore-sails and a hefty marine diesel to propel her. By motoring Northeast to catch the currents, the boat could conserve on fuel and make better speed by diverting to Puerto Rico first.

Kati's past employer indicated he did not think Kati had plans of stopping in Puerto Rico.  If this is the case, it explains why the Lady Domina never checked into Puerto Rico.  Under this plan, the Lady Domina may have hopped onto the Gulf Stream Current carrying it North towards the Grand Banks.  The yacht would have crossed behind Bermuda, and then caught the Azores current over towards the portuguese island group of the Azores.




Some of the mis-communications could easily be due to last minute changes of plans.  The captain of the Lady Domina may have been thinking about Puerto Rico to pick up a potential crew-member.  It may be there were concerns over weather.  Finally, the best route to the Azores, considering no main sail, may have been a matter of question, as well.



Did she leave Puerto Rico?

At this juncture, there is no evidence the Lady Domina departed the U.S. territorial waters of Puerto Rico on May 3rd, 2013.  Tore Christiansen asked the U.S. Coast Guard how it was a yacht with African registry could have entered and left the U.S. territorial waters TWICE, and the Coast Guard not be aware of the passage.  No doubt, the U.S. Coast Guard, who has ignored all of our information requests, would like to pretend the yacht never was there at all.

Was the wreckage spotted the Lady Domina?
With no clues as to the fate of the Lady Domina, people are taking another look at possibilities.  Some people who looked at the wreckage spotted by the satellite search for the Grain de Soleil say it is not possible the Lady Domina was part of the debris field located.  However, at least one person has looked at the pictures again and is reconsidering.

He posts:
"Hi, Looked a little on wrecks pictures.  The (parts) behind the wheelhouse on LD were dressed in layers of light blue hard polystyrene which were glued together with epoxy and then shaped.  This was again covered with thin white glossy fiberglass panels glued with epoxy.  The color of the polystyrene are very similar to that of the wreckage in the Azores"


Great sailors missing
Hele sommerfeldt kaspersen sits with her six year old child comforting her.  Tears roll down her cheeks.  She talks about her husband, Brian, whose mission in life was to help the less fortunate.  This has been an incredibly difficult process for all of the family members.  

The Mosteid family, too, is shattered by their missing son.  In a conversation with Geils Mosteid, Sailing Savoir Faire was told, "Anders is a good boy."  Anders thought it would be really cool to cross the Atlantic on a yacht the size of Lady Domina.

Kati Lee is described as "a dear friend".  She is a consummate sailor, having sailed with her parents as a child.  She was known to bring a cheer to every heart when you met her.  Her parents are no strangers to disaster.  Their yacht was attacked by pirates a few years ago.  Despite being assaulted, Mr. Lee kept a cool head and radioed for help.

Stian Abrahamsan's father was thinking of joining the crew, according to NRK.  Now he must grieve his missing son.  Stian is a computer expert and was on the key board every chance he got.  Those looking for the Lady Domina still hope a twitter, a Linked-in or some other message will soon appear from Stian.

Not a lot is known about Oyvind Slettvold.  He is clearly a wonderful craftsman, and he is described as being 'very sweet'.  He also has the reputation of being an experienced and skillful captain. Sailing Savoir Faire was not even able to find a confirmed photograph of him.


Hope remains

"It is not over until it is over," Tore Christiansen noted.

There is still hope for the crew of the Lady Domina.  Considering her stores of water and food, which were considerable, enough for possibly six months, one should not give up hope after only three months.  However, if they are floating in the Atlantic, or are hostages of a surprise kidnapper, one thing is sure.  Time is no longer on their side.  If something is to be done, getting rescue crews off dead center, or to work together, organizing a private rescue, or other actions, it must be done soon if it is going to be effective.  

Stating no new information was forthcoming, the Cruisers board closed the thread on the Lady Domina, today June 20th, 2013.




Grain de Soleil Mouseette




Meanwhile, with hope always strong, the families of the sailors, Guillaume Moussette, Etienne Esteulle and Franck Cousin have formed a foundation in the honor of the missing sailors from that boat.