Nina Families Respond To RCC-NZ Report, Serious Concerns Remain

The Families of Crew On Board The Missing Sailing Vessel Nina
Mr. Keith Manch,
Director Maritme New Zealand
1 Grey Street
Wellington, New Zealand

Nina in New Zealand, photo not submitted with the letter

July 20, 2014

     We have received the Independent Report of the search and rescue (SAR) for the Nina and her crew. We respectfully send our sincere thanks to the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) for all their efforts in this lengthy and complex effort.

     Our wish is that if the crew members have indeed died, their deaths and all the extraordinary effort that went into finding them will not have been in vain. We hope to save others the same anguish.

     In this spirit, we offer the opinion that several aspects of the report are not adequately addressed and warrant further inquiry. We remain particularly concerned about the delay in launching the search and the initial selection of search coordinates. Questions about what was known from the Iridium satellite phone data, how the information was used in the first crucial days, and whether that data should have been used at all are raised by the report itself:

"analysis raises deep suspicion on the reliability of the Iridium positions". (page 36)

     Also questionable is changing the ETA in Australia. Scheduled arrival was June 10; extending that to June 25th may have been harmful. Regarding use of radar data, some research shows that small wooden vessels cannot be detected over 20 miles. Additional serious, documented concerns remain; we would be pleased to work directly with you if you are inclined to address them.

A constant concern throughout this episode has been that there was an underlying, counterproductive undercurrent of contention between us – that is, between RCCNZ and Texas
EquuSearch (TES) working with associated volunteers on our behalf. Author David Baird notes:

“The relationship between TES and RCCNZ did not start well; they did not appear to share the same objective”. (page 56)

     The report goes on to state various criticisms of TES actions, ignoring in spirit the tireless effort of people bound together by faith, determination, and courage. This is unfair, contrary to an overall attitude of fortitude and common purpose, and this attitude dominates the report.

     We cannot, however, overlook the admirable traditions of professionalism and dedication that continue to distinguish the RCCNZ. We can grow closer in our mutual goals. For example, perhaps we can exchange thoughts on expanding partnerships with private companies, as suggested by Diane Hockenberry of Iridium Communications Inc, McClean, Virginia, and DigitalGlobe, Inc., which re-tasked satellites to assist us.

     We know that in the final analysis you join with us and the mariners of the world in embracing the words of Psalm 107, forever in our hearts:

Those who go down to the sea in ships . . . they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses.

* *

Nina Families Preparing Response To Search

A lengthy document was recently completed reviewing the actions of the Rescue Coordination Center, New Zealand, (RCC-NZ).  It contained glowing praise for the role the RCC-NZ played in the attempted rescue of the crew of the SV Nina, a 1928 schooner that disappeared in the Tasman Sea on June 4th, 2013.  Many people would like to see what the response will be from the families.  Are they in support of the review, or do they oppose it's findings?  What would the families like to see going forward?

The review can be found HERE.

Sailing Savoir Faire has a very strong point of view over the independent review.  However, we will not voice an opinion on the Nina search review until the families have had an opportunity to make their own response, in public.  Even then, we may delay our response because we have come very close to this search, having covered it in detail nearly since the day the Nina was reported missing in the news.

After the RCC-NZ was unable to locate the Nina, the families went to work with fundraisers so they could conduct their own search.  They raised over $600,000 from family, friends and well-wishers.  It has been first class all the way, headed up by a public-private partnership, Texas Equusearch (TES), which acts in a similar role in the U.S. that is played by non-governmental-organization in other countries.  Unfortunately, TES was unable to locate the Nina, or her crew, either.  

A lot of people have a difficult time understanding the TES mission.  While they have had successes in finding the remains of people lost and who perished, their primary successes have been in rescuing people who are alive.  They have found more than 300 people alive and about half that number of missing persons who in fact perished.  

Most recently, TES challenged the Federal Aviation Administration on a prohibition on the use of drones in the U.S.  TES has used drones to find lost people in terrain that would take weeks to search, although the FAA sent them an email note telling them not to conduct drone flights for "commercial purposes".  A judge ruled TES could in fact use drones.

 TES says the Nina search has been an effort to find the Nina sailors alive, though no drones were used.  Most of the search fund was paid to New Zealand and Australian aviation companies, making it's way into the local economies of New Zealand and Australia..  A tiny portion of funds raised were used to pay for super-technical drift analysis.  The families say they still hope the Nina will float back to civilization, or the crew will be found on a desolate island or atoll.  TES is an all volunteer organization made up in part by people grateful for the results of the many searches.

There are seven people who ventured forth on the Nina.  They are the family that owned the yacht, David Dcyhe, Rosemary Dyche and their son, David Dyche, Jr., world renown author and mathematical genius, Professor Evi Nemeth, Kyle Jackson, a former senate page and survivalist, Danielle Wright, a musician a student and a photographer, all from the United States.  Also on board, Matthew Wootton, from England.  Matthew is an advocate for the environment who took a 3 and a half year voyage around the world to learn and speak on environmental issues.  Matthew crewed on various boats and ships because he does not approve of the carbon footprint left by jets.

The Nina families have put together a comprehensive web site.  They say they hope it will comfort those who wish the Nina crew well, and provide insight to other families who are missing a loved one, no matter whether that is on land or at sea.

We wish peace to all, and fair winds.

Family Asks Time To Respond To Nina Review Report

For those who are following this blog, you might expect an immediate reaction from the writing team about the document prepared by an independent reviewer over the efforts by the RCC-NZ in the search for the 1928 schooner, Nina, and her 7 crew mates, which disappeared on June 4th, 2013 in the Tasman Sea. Of course I have read the report and I have some strong points of view which I am about to express.  Probably.

First, though, out of respect and gratitude, we think it is best to give the family their chance to say something if they want to.  What is clear is a fundamental desire from many people who would like to see search and rescue at sea improved.  Back seat drivers and Monday morning quarterbacks are always incredibly sage, until it is their time in the hot seat, at which time their present wisdom usually escapes them. At the other end of the scale, we are talking about lives.  If we don't look at how things were done we will never get better at what we do.

So, sure.  Considering nothing of the Nina was ever found, and considering the report which mostly praises the RCC-NZ, one must think, isn't there anything that could have been done better?  

What I am not going to do is parrot the lauding of the RCC-NZ as multiple publications have done without asking serious questions.  Instead, I want to congratulate the team that took over the search after the RCC-NZ halted it's search.  I want to thank the RCC-NZ for the effort that was made.  Finally, I am going to say a prayer for the sailors who are missing and perhaps through the miracle of the sea, will one day come back into the lives of their families.

If you want to read the report, you can find it on-line here.

Big Mistakes Cost Bigly

Digital Globe Image
Found On Tomnod

In a perfect world everything goes perfectly.  In the ocean, when one thing does not go well, everything goes wrongly, fast.  There are a lot of things that went wrong for the crew of the Nina.  When the crew comes back, yes their return is optimistic, but possible, we will hear about all of the things that went wrong on the Nina end. 

As I sit writing this, the families are waiting on a government sanctioned report to tell us what went right or wrong in the search.   It is common sense to say something went wrong because nothing, not a single plank, life vest, raft, sail, or anything has been found of the Nina.

Sure, the Tasman Sea is vast.  She swallows boats and sailors like a voracious tiger.  But she nearly always leaves a few clues.  

While the Tasman Sea turned into the Milky Way of search patterns, the faith and hope of the families remains 10 times greater.  That is 10 times greater than most people can imagine, but my bet is with the families. 

 Sooner or later the truth of the fate of the Nina will come forth.   Some of the family members hope part of that truth will be through the voice of an independent reviewer who may shed light on why it took 21 days to start a search for a yacht that went through near typhoon sized wind and waves, that communicated several times every single day since her departure on May 29th, 2013, and which fell silent on June 4th, 2013.

Whether or not the Nina is found, the results of this report may make a difference.  They will certainly make a difference for the families who wait for word and survive on pure faith.  The results could also make a huge difference for future sailors who depend upon a search and rescue system that, in a perfect world, is always seeking better ways to save sailors, hence invites honest and hard hitting reviews.  

Until then, some family members ask the public to keep a constant watch for a boat lying low in the water and wrecks on remote reefs and islands.  

Families Probe Nina Search, Meet With Authorities.questions linger

Some of the family members whose loved ones are missing on a 1928 schooner that disappeared in the Tasman Sea are asking for more information about the initial search.  Meanwhile, Australian authorities have refused to assist in a requested communications search.

Where is the sailboat Nina today?  No one knows.  Other boats have been lost in the Tasman sea for up to a year, caught in the vicious reverse circulating currents.  A few boats have met their fate with Davey Jones' locker.  However, it is very odd for a boat to disappear off of the map leaving no clue as to what happened to the crew and the ship.

Danielle Wright, on her parent's catamaran

When governments refuse to cooperate in continuing a search, what more can be done than the families launching their own private search?  One would presume anyone who is willing to launch a private search and raise the significant sums required to put that search into place, would enjoy government cooperation.  We have been very vocal about our disappointment the U.S. has not been supportive of the private search.  It appears, more facts may be forthcoming.

A few weeks ago, Ricky and Robin Wright, parents of crew member Robin Wright, received a tip about a piece of wood that was spotted floating off of Frasier Island, Australia.  The wood contained the letters "INA".  If you stick an N on that phrase you get "Nina".  But you could also stick an "MAR" onto the phrase to get "Marina".  Unfortunately, the remnant was not recovered and the search performed by the Wrights revealed flotsam but nothing that looked like the Nina, which the Wrights have seen in person while on their own cruise.

One thing is for sure.  If the remnant was from the Nina, then the boat didn't sink.  Rather, it broke up when it reached land, just as John Glennie's boat, the Rose Noelle, broke up after getting pounded in the surf after floating for 119 days off of the East coast of New Zealand.

Robin and Ricky Wright, Sue and Ian Wootton, parents of crew member Matthew Wootton, Ralph Baird, Larry Slack and a host of other people have spent countless hours and remain actively seeking answers in the Nina disappearance.  They are an example of the kind of people any sailor wants on his side if things go wrong. That is part of the point of the discussion with the New Zealand authorities.  The Nina won't be the last boat to encounter trouble in the vicious Tasman Sea.  Are there lessons to be learned from this case?  We wait for more news, but surely, there is always something to be learned.

The families and members of Texas Equusearch are not alone.  Many people in New Zealand and Australia relate well to how difficult life would be stranded on a sailboat.  On a face book page, one of those people write:

"Kia ora, hello to all the Nina whanau (family and friends). 

Just a small message to say there are many people in New Zealand that feel ya, and many minds that send positivity your way. 

I remember awhile ago i was in Whangarei (Northland, NZ)  and couldnt help but spotting the Nina moored there in the   marina, I distinctively remember it being a standout  colourfully flagged and beautiful boat and had a equally  lovely lady sitting on the deck reading a book in the sunshine . I gave a wave and a smile, and so did she. 

Not a day goes by that i dont think about them still out there.  My heart goes out to the family, and i know many others that  feel the same. 

Kia kaha, which in Maori, means stay strong.

 Not a day goes by that i dont think about them still out there.  My heart goes out to the family, and i know many others that feel the same. 

Kia kaha, which in Maori, means stay strong."

Miracles happen, and history repeats itself.  Other boats lost in the Tasman Sea have surprised the naysayers when the boat washed up on an Australian shore, or in some cases, even a New Zealand shore.  When one begins flying the area, the possible locations are like stars in the Universe, some of them remote.  The families ask pilots, sailors, cruise line passengers and crew, fishermen and even hermits, to keep a sharp eye for a boat lying low in the water, or washed up on yonder shore.

You can help by signing our petition asking the U.S. government to do it's part for the souls on the Nina.  Please sign here.

Why not pull a few bucks out of your pocket and contribute the the search fund?  It might save these brave souls, and for sure, the lessons learned will surely save others who venture onto the Tasman Sea.

DONATE!

How is will your donation be used?

Search efforts for finding the Nina are privately funded by the Nina crew families, friends, and various fundraising activities. No monies have been provide by any government agency or Texas EquuSearch. 100% of these funds go to conducting private air searches out of New Zealand and Australia. There are hundreds of non-paid volunteers and multiple commercial service providers, who freely give their time, efforts, and resources to help find the Nina 7. For more information about financial distribution, please request in writing a summary by contacting the headquarters office of Texas EquuSearch.

Thank you for visiting our donate page, and below are the donation options:

1) HOME BANK – drop off checks at any location in South Louisiana, Acct# 2059321602.

2) Go online: Community Foundation of Acadiana  Danielle Wright Search Fund

3) Go online: Texas Equusearch Please indicate your donation is for the  ”Niña Search Fund”

4) Donate direct from our Bringing Home the Niña Facebook Page – Click colorful Donate Button or GO HERE

We’d like to thank all our donors for supporting our efforts to bring the Nina 7 home.

Hey, and there is a new web page!  Come check it out!  An please like us on face book and ask your friends to follow our blog as we are keeping a sharp eye out for news of Evi Nemeth, Matthew Wootton, Danielle Wright, Kyle Jackson and the Family Dyche, David, Rosemary and young David Jr.

NEW WEB PAGE!

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1150 am radio

303.337.7

A Community United

PRIOR POSTS INDEX

Tonight, people from across the US and even New Zealand came together in support of the Nina 7, the seven people stranded on a sailboat in the Tasman Sea since June 4th, 2013. They have little else on their side. Tonight, there is hope because a community united joined hands and hearts in an effort to continue the search forced upon them by fate and by those who fail in their vision.

Shelley Rogers, Darlene Marullo, Ricky and Robin Wright and representatives of the seven families pulled together with Texas Equusearch to hold a fund raiser. The evening started with an inspiring speech by Executive Search Coordinator Ralph Baird who spoke about the problems the search encountered in gaining government cooperation. Equusearch, a non-profit search organization, usually works in tandem with law enforcement and the military. 


Baird said the people in New Zealand believe the crew of the Nina is alive. He took a poll of the relatives working on the case and they said they believed the crew is alive.


Baird said the people who don't believe the Nina 7 are alive are representatives in the U.S. State Department. Instead of assisting Equusearch in it's efforts, the State Department has blocked search efforts. Baird asked every one in the room to take out their phones and call the State Department. He asked them to support the Nina 7.


The telephone number is 202.642.4000, push #4, then ask for John Kerry's comment phone line. Please leave a message!


Is the price of a phone call too much to ask?

The group was also inspired by a fascinating story from John Glennie, who survived 119 days at sea off of the coast of New Zealand. His trimaran, the Rose Noelle, capsized when hit by a towering wall of water. The crew was trapped inside the capsized boat for over a day, until they hacked their way through the bottom of the capsized boat. For the next four months the crew lived in a space the size of a bed with only 18 inches of headroom.



Glennie said we should be proud of the brave sailors who are on the Nina. They had the courage to live their dream. 

More, though, Glennie said great people come from surviving a life challenge. The Nina 7 are giants tasked with creating their own miracle. They are up to the task.

Laszlow Nemeth said he did not know what to add to the event except a heart felt thank you. Sue Wootton thanked the people who had come in support of the seven sailors. Robin Wright said for the first time since the yacht went missing she had been able to relax, just a little.


Following the speeches came an auction for the things businesses had donated. A generous community insured the Nina search will continue for at least one more day. It is the public, though, who will likely have the final vote. If they don't support the search, if they won't make the phone calls to encourage government participation, well, we don't want to go there. Please help the Nina 7.


On June 4th, 2013, Matthew Wootton, Evi Nemeth, Kyle Jackson, David Dyche, Rosemary Dyche, David Dyche IV and Danielle Wright sent their last call via cell satellite telephone. They had blown out their sails and riding under bare poles, a yachting term to mean running with the wind and without sails.  A rescue effort was launched by the RCC-NZ 20 days later.  When the rescue effort ceased on July 5th, 2013, Ricky Wright contacted Texas Equusearch. The non-profit Texas company has found people when law enforcement has given up. The new search coordinator has tasked satellites and brought high tech to SAR at sea.



All articles and blogs like this one are part of the web we cast to bring awareness to EVXX.COM and the Nina 7.

To Page 1

Your Phone Call Needed To Save Nina 7 Page 38

Page 1  Search SuspendedPage 2  The Boat

Page 3  About the Nina

Page 4  Dyche Family

Page 5  Evi Nemeth

Kyle Jackson Nina Crew

Page 6  Matt Wootton

Page 7  Kyle Jackson

Page 8  Danielle Wright

Page 9 RCCNZ
Page 10  To the Families
Page 11  What Went Wrong?
Page 12  Last Message From Nina Crew
Page 13  Family of Nina Crew Appeal For Search Funds
Page 14  Family Anxious For Search To Begin
Page 15  RCCNZ Less Than Cooperative in New Nina Search
Page 16  Third Day of Search, Funding Needed
Page 17  New Zealand Responds
Page 18  Equusearch Seeks Satellite Specialist
Page 19  A New Era Of Cooperation
Page 20  Wild Speculation No Help

PAGE 21, Sailboat Washes Up On Beach After Crossing Tasman

Page 22  Nina Fund
Page 23  Nina Makes Prime Time

Page 24  Kyle Jackson, Hiya Mom!

Page 25  U.S. Coast Guard Endangers Lives of Nina 7
Page 26  Equusearch, Nina Families, Ask For Help
Page 27  Apathy From US Officials

Page 28  Families Seek More Funding

Page 29  Standing Up To Uncle Sam

Page 30  Possible New Location of Nina

Page 31  Reason For Hope Rescue After 76 Days At Sea
Page 32  Breaking News Delayed
Page 33 Positive Despite the Negatives
Page 34  Tomnod Saves Lives
Page 36  Tasman Takes Two

Page 37  91 Days Lost At Sea

Page 38   Your Phone Call is Needed

Page 39  Evi Nemeth and Nina News

Page 40  PRESS CONFERENCE LAFAYETTE AND HOUSTON!

PAGE 38  YOUR PHONE CALL

 NEEDED TO SAVE NINA 7

Search Updates:

EVXX.COM 

Texas Equusearch and their families have been working triple time to save the seven sailors aboard the 1928 national treasure, the Nina.

A shore search was performed looking for Nina wreckage.  None was found.

The U.S. State Department has blocked the TES effort to search for the seven people aboard this historic racing yacht.  We ask for your support in two ways:


1.  Please call the Department of State and ask them to to cooperate with Texas Equuserch in the hunt for the Nina and her crew, (202)-647-4000;


2.  Please make a small donation so the private search for the Nina can continue.

Ralph Baird, Executive Search Advisor, uses high tech to find people

NINA VIGIL, WE HOLD HANDS IN PRAYER

All we ask is for America to come together in support of the sanctity of seven lives.  

Some of these great sailors have contributed wonderful things to our world.  Retired professor Evi Nemeth helped thousands of people understand the computer language Linux.  Matthew Wootton advocates for clean water in third world countries.  Danielle Wright, 19, is an artist, a photographer and psychology student.  Kyle Jackson is at home in nature and a survivalist.  The Dyche family restored the Nina and brought her to many places so people all over the world could see the magnificent yacht which has won race after race.

Mail checks to:

Texas EquuSearch SV Nina Search Fund

P.O. Box 395

Dickinson, Texas 77539

Office: (281) 309-9500

Fax: (281) 534-6719

Toll Free: (877) 270-9500

Or use PayPal or Credit Card

Or, mail checks directly to:

Texas EquuSearch SV Nina Search Fund

c/o Amegy Bank215 FM 517 Road West

Dickinson, TX 77539

Attention: Ms. Alicia White

(281) 337-9390

The families say the Nina is floating because no wreckage was found; other sailors have been declared lost at sea and found; the Nina crew are experienced and managed rough weather many times; the Nina was in good condition; claims the Nina sank are based only on an inability to locate her.  That does not mean she sank.

Nina Rescue, Bring The Crew Home!

Your call can make a difference.  U.S. Department of State:  (202)-647-4000

Suggested script:

"Hi, my name is __________________.  I am calling about the Nina 7.  That is the yacht that disappeared in the Tasman Sea with the seven sailors.  I am calling to urge the Department of State to support the Nina 7 and Texas Equusearch."

What else do you want to say?

Expect to get transferred a few times.  PLEASE DO LEAVE  A MESSAGE IF YOU END UP ON A MESSAGE PHONE.

If you don't call, who will?  If it was your son or mother, would you want others to call?

Your donation can make a difference.  A few dollars adds up.  Until we can get help from the U.S. the families continue to fund a very expensive search effort.  Will you give a couple of latte's to save seven lives?

Who are they?

Evi Nemeth

Kyle Jackson

Matthew Wootton

Danielle Wright

David Dyche

Rosemary Dyche

David Dyche IV

Texas Equusearch Mobilizes

We really need your support.  The requests are sincere and urgent.  Because Americans respect the sanctity of life;  Because we would want the same if we were in the same place;  Because out of 100 people, 1 person will end up missing in the next 60 months;  Because America can do better; Because we love our country and we respect the technology that should be used to save lives; Because no one should block an effort to save lives;  Because America is founded on hope;  Because it is time for the sailors on the Nina to come home!

On To Page 39

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