Equusearch Founder To Hold Memorial Service For Missing Child

Tim Miller

Dickinson, Texas -- September 2, 2014 -- Texas EquuSearch encourages you to join our search volunteers this Sunday evening September 7 for a special memorial service and candlelight vigil in honor of the 30 years that have passed since 16 year old teenager Laura Lynn Miller’s disappearance and to celebrate the successful return of hundreds of missing children and adults in Laura Miller’s honor by the volunteers and members of Texas EquuSearch. 

The special event will be held at the Magnolia Creek Baptist Church located at 3535 Calder Drive, League City, Texas on September 7, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. The service, to remember Laura and all missing persons, is open to the public. 

"We are going to let the world know we will never stop looking for missing loved ones," Tim Miller said. 

Tim Miller founded Texas EquuSearch 14 years ago to assist families and law enforcement to bring home missing loved ones. Losing his daughter Laura Miller was Tim Miller’s motivation to form Texas EquuSearch and dedicate his life to helping families locate their missing loved ones. 

There will be three short talks by Magnolia Creek Pastor Brett Dutton, by EquuSearch Founder Tim Miller and by EquuSearch Senior Advisor Ralph Baird. Following the service there will be a candlelight vigil to mark the 30th year since Laura Miller disappeared. 

Laura, who disappeared from a pay phone in League City on September 10, 1984, was found deceased 17 months later in a wooded area off Calder Road in League City. Her remains were scattered in a remote area where three other females' remains were also found. This location became known as a dumping ground for victims and was later featured in the movie, "Texas Killing Fields." 

Texas Equusearch played a pivotal role in the search for the S/V Nina and her crew after they disappeared in the Tasman Sea on June 4th, 2013.  Unfortunately, nothing of the Nina has been found, though relatives remain hopeful the crew will show up on a remote island or reef.

About Texas EquuSearch -- Texas EquuSearch, a recognized 501 c (3) charity, was organized and chartered in August 2000 to assist law enforcement and families in the search for missing loved ones. Texas EquuSearch does not charge agencies or families and relies solely on donations. To date, Texas EquuSearch has conducted 1500 searches with 300 people found alive and 182 loved ones’ remains returned to families. Over 150,000 volunteers from ffected communities have joined in searches carefully managed by EquuSearch. To learn more please visit www.TXEQ.org 

Contacts: Ralph Baird
 (713) 461-1784
 Charlene Wilford 
 (832) 270-6766 

 Email: Ralph.Baird@TexasEquuSearch.org 

Source: Texas EquuSearch 

Texas Equusearch Weighs In On Nina Search Report

The multi-state search and rescue organization, Texas Equusearch, (TES) weighed in on the Rescue Coordination Center, New Zealand's, (RCC-NZ) official "independent review" of the search for the SV Nina. Sources indicate TES representatives were dismayed with the report in general, and specifically with references suggesting TES had different objectives than the original search. The report suggests TES was interested in a recovery operation for bodies, rather than a search for living beings.

Ralph Baird from Texas Equusearch indicated the only TES objective was finding the seven sailors alive during a group phone call. Included in the search effort were Ricky and Robin Wright, parents of crew member Danielle Wright, and Ian and Sue Wootton, parents of crew member Matthew Wootton.  

The families raised over $600,000 for a private search after the RCC-NZ suspended it's official search.  The bulk of the funds were spent in New Zealand and Australia on search aircraft.

TES issued this paragraph along with the response to the report which we printed in a prior post: 

"The search for the missing schooner Nina by the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) fell short and was poorly managed according to the Families of the seven (7) missing crew, including six (6) Americans and one Brit," the release states.

"The Families do not agree with and have responded in writing to the so-called ‘independent’ review of the efforts by the RCCNZ to search for the 70 foot historic schooner Nina. The text of the Families’ summary letter delivered to Mr. Keith Manch, the Director of Maritime New Zealand follows," representatives say in the release.

A celebration of life will be held this Weekend in England for crew member Matthew Wootton.  Similar celebrations were held for the David, Rosemary and David Dyche, IV, for Danielle Wright, Kyle Jackson and for Evi Nemeth, earlier this year.

More information can be found HERE.

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.

Public Appeals To RCC-NZ To Resume Search For Lost Nina

The Nina Families Remain Hopeful

Texas Equusearch (TES) and the family members of the crew of the schooner, Nina, lost in the Tasman Sea, released photographs of an image they hope is the Nina.  The image was obtained after tasking satellites to take pictures of the Tasman Sea where the 1928 American treasure disappeared along with the 7 hands aboard. TES and the families want the Rescue Coordination Center, New Zealand (RCC-NZ) to open a new search for the sailors.

The search has been intensive and well coordinated.  The satellite images are hosted on a crowd sourcing site called Tomnod.  TES and the families worked with Fort Collins based Digital Globe to take the photographs.  Over 16,000 people signed up to help review images.  All the hard work may now be paying off.

Mystery Boat, Is This The Nina?

So far, the RCC-NZ refuses to bend on opening a new search for the boat.  Under one of their theories, they say the boat sank.  However, sinking is one of six scenarios the RCC-NZ postulated about the Nina. Other scenarios include the possibility the boat is disabled and drifting or the sailors took to a life raft. The fact is, no evidence has ever been produced to prove the Nina sank, despite the largest search ever launched by the RCC-NZ.

The families say the Nina is floating in reverse circular currents of the Tasman Sea.  As proof, they point to John Glennie, who survived 119 days after his yacht, the Rose Noelle, capsized off of the East coast of New Zealand.  Officials gave up the search for Glennie and the family held a eulogy.  Still, Glennie and his 3 crew mates survived the ordeal, fishing for food and catching rain water for hydration.  Though the Nina disappeared on the West side of New Zealand, both the Rose Noelle and the Nina had problems on the same day of the year, June 4th, significant because it is winter time.

Bob McDavitt

TES and the families base their assertions on the efforts by a high tech team including volunteer NASA scientists, fluid hydrologists and geophysicists who study what happens to liquid, in this case, ocean water, and things which are deposited in them.  Figuring out where the Nina could have drifted to has been a monumental task.  However, TES has employed new methods to use existing SAROPS drift analysis software along with the tasking, for the first time ever, of satellites over the Tasman Sea in the search of a private boat.

According to an article in the New Zealand Herald, meteorologist Bob McDavitt, the satellite images could not be ruled out as representing the Nina.  McDavitt was advising friend and Nina crew member Evi Nemeth, and had the last known conversation by text with the missing sailors.  People from all over the world support the reopening of the search for the missing sailors.

Texas Equusearch is a non-profit organization founded by Tim Miller to locate missing people.  TES uses high technique tactics plus volunteers to help the authorities locate and close old missing person's cases.  TES has been credited with locating over 300 people alive which law enforcement has been unable to find.  The Texas based organization has also been able to find over 100 people who were missing and deceased, including a Navy t-34 pilot.  None of the TES volunteers are paid, including the Nina search Executive Adviser, Ralph Baird.  However, the advances made by the families will help all sailors who become lost in the Tasman Sea.

Breaking Excitement In The Search Camp, Nina Life Raft Search

CHECK OUT PRIOR POSTS ON THE MISSING SHIP!  INDEX

An object found in the Nina Search

"Any news yet?" asked one person in the email thread being spread excitedly through the network of volunteers at the Equusearch effort trying to find the Niña, a 1928 schooner lost in the Tasman Sea off the coast of New Zealand.

Behind the scene is help from surprising places, many of which had refused to help before.  Everyone is grateful for the second effort.

Aircraft observers

Ralph Baird, Executive Advisor to Equusearch, (TES) has assembled an army of the brightest minds in the country.  Some are NASA scientists working as private citizen volunteers.  Others hail from a variety of experience.  All assembled to help seven people find their way home.

Today, search aircraft lifted off, not just to search, but to check out an interesting object found on the Tomnod site.  Tomnod, partly through the influence of TES, obtained satellite photographs of the search area.  The trick is, finding enough people to pour over hundreds of thousands of miles of ocean looking for the Niña.

New Search Area

A few days ago, cautious cheers rang with an URGENT email sent to executive staff.  

"What is this thing that looks like a life raft?"

  Everyone is excited with the prospects of finding the Niña crew alive.  We all pray this is the final moment of the search.  If it is not, we are prepared to do whatever it takes.  

Please stay tuned, a press conference is scheduled for Thursday, August 22nd, in Houston, Texas!

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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!

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