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.

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.  

They Look For The Airliner But Not The Nina?

It is time for change.  Please sign the petition.  Ask the good boy's network to bring the crew of the Nina home!

If we told the whole Nina story, the public would be shocked.  So would some officials who, so far, have refused to lift a finger to save seven valiant lives aboard the schooner Nina.
Breaking news coming soon regarding the sunken boat found in the Timor Sea.

Have You Seen This Boat?

Many of you have written about your experiences with the historic sailboat, Niña.  It is not surprising people have stories to tell, since the Niña was built in 1928, and started winning races the first year she was launched, including the Fastnet race which years later would claim the lives of valiant sailors.  As a consolation for the 1978 tragedy, that Fastnet race was the beginning of better life support equipment, including life raft stowage and supreme construction.  Those changes may be what has given the Niña 7 the best crack at survival.

We believe the Niña is in this picture from
the David Dyche facebook page.  We are looking for a better
picture from the top down.

We are searching for a photograph from the top down to the decks.  Despite the thousands of photographs of the Niña, I have not seen a single top down pic.  Someone somewhere must have one.

Please forward to us if you have one or have seen one.  The search for the Niña continues.  It would be helpful to have a top-down profile for our satellite search which is in process.

You can send those to immigrants2bfree@gmail.com, please mark in the header Niña because I get a million emails a day!~

How can a crew survive this much time floating around in the currents of the Tasman Sea?  It is hard, but possible.  There is a lot of rainwater.  Turtle blood doubles as hydration in a pinch.  You can also drink your own recycled water, at least for awhile.  Fish are plentiful.  All it takes is an adventurous spirit.  The Niña crew has that in spades!

Personally, speaking for myself only, and no one else, if the Niña is still afloat, her crew is in the hands of the public.  Great effort has been spent in encouraging officials to do what they are charged to do.  The only voice left is your voice.  We encourage you to use it HERE.  You can also vote with a buck, as the private search to do the job the professionals should have done is costing an absolute mint.  The staff at Sailing Savoir Faire hopes an even better method for reaching out to people in charge will soon come into play.  Each of you has a lot to do with that.

The Niña story from the start: S E A R C H

More Information:  N I N A 7

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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tunr inot

1150 am radio

303.337.7

Seven Facts About Schooner Nina Few People Know

There seems to be a bit of confusion about the Nina search.  For anyone new to the blog, 7 sailors, Matthew Wootton, Danielle Wright, Professor Evi Nemeth, Kyle Jackson and the Dyche family, David, Rosemary and David Jr. set sail across the Tasman Sea.  They encountered a terrific storm and have not been heard from since.  That was on June 4th, 2013, so it has been awhile.  So why are people still looking, and what can you do to help?

Ricky and Robin Wright, news.com.au photo

FACT NOT FICTION #1  The search was started late.  By the time the authorities got around to actually launching an aircraft to look for Nina, the potential search area had grown to a size slightly smaller than the Milky Way!

FACT NOT FICTION #2  Despite claims the search was "the largest search in the history of New Zealand", low probability areas were not searched at all and a few high probability areas were also not searched.

FACT NOT FICTION #3 Landlubbers and even most sailors can't envision how a crew could survive 7 months on a sailboat without provisions.  Experienced sailors like John Glennie who have actually been in the area say long term survival is possible.  Water is obtained from the frequent rain storms in the Tasman Sea.  The boat becomes a floating reef attracting a large variety of fish.

FACT NOT FICTION #4  If the Nina were really afloat, they would have jury rigged sails and rescued themselves.  Actually, the last text message indicates the sails had blown out.  Fuel for the newly installed engine was in limited supply.  To be sure, Captain Dyche and crew are doing all they can to save themselves, but if the weather was bad enough to blow out professionally made sails, and dis-mast the Nina, it has been bad enough to shred a jury rigged sail and mast system.  They don't have many sail lofts in the middle of the Tasman, eventually even the most ingenious crew will run out of material for masts, rigging and jury built sails.

FACT NOT FICTION #5  If the Nina survived the storms she was in, surely she would have floated to shore by now.  Maybe true, though some boats including an oyster barge last year have taken a year to float through the reverse circulating currents of the Tasman Sea.  If the Nina has floated to land, the question, what land?  There are thousands of small islands and reefs off the Australian coast.  The families ask ALL SAILORS, PILOTS, FISHERMEN AND CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS AND CREW to please be on the lookout for the Nina not only in the ocean, but while passing remote landfalls.

FACT NOT FICTION #6  The remnants of the Nina were found off of Fraser Island, Australia.  A piece of the transom was seen with the letters "INA".  No one really knows if the remnants of the Nina were seen off of Fraser Island because the person who spotted the board with the letters "INA" didn't fish it out of the water.  Robin and Ricky Wright, parents of 19 year old crew member Danielle Wright, did a very thorough search of the area and found lots of flotsam, none of it appearing as the Nina.  IF you spot anything that appears to be the remnant of a boat, please fish it out of where ever you found it.  If you need assistance, the Australian Coast Guard or the New Zealand Coast Guard should be called, depending upon where you are.  



View Larger Map



The letters "INA" fit nicely into the word "Marina".  There are several marinas in the area.  The family expresses their deepest thanks to the person who provided the tip, and ask each of us to help solve the mystery of the Nina.  If you are not near the Tasman Sea, you can help by reminding people the search is still in progress; making a donation to help with the huge cost of search flights; if you are blessed with two hands, putting them together and asking for a higher power to reveal where the Nina is might prove to be the miracle that everyone is waiting for.

FACT NOT FICTION #7  While the families wish they had more support from the various RCC agencies, including a radio broadcast asking mariners to be watchful for a low lying craft in the water or evidence of a landing on remote islands, as well as support from the U.S. State Department and the NGA in satellite searches and rescue exercises while naval ships are in the area, the families remain extremely grateful for the efforts made by the various agencies. 

 Because the families have been hard at the search since the official search was suspended on July 5th, 2013, the families especially, Ricky and Robin Wright and Ian and Sue Wootton,  are in the best position to know what tactics would be most helpful in determining the location of the missing schooner, Nina.  The Texas Equusearch Lead Search coordinator Larry Slack,  Exeutive Search Advisor, Ralph Baird and their team also have a keen sense for the next best steps in finding the Nina.  However, neither the search team nor the families would ever want their requests for help to be misunderstood as a lack of gratitude for the efforts that have been made.  In analyzing the search efforts to date, their sole purpose is to find the Nina by identifying missing pieces in the puzzle, which should not be confused with a lack of appreciation for what has been done or a hidden desire to find fault out of spite.

7 Sailors Wait While The World Celebrates The Holiday

Cartoon Credit NZ Herald

There is both encouraging news and bad news in the search for the 1928 schooner, Nina, that went missing in the Tasman Sea on June 4th, 2013.  The bad news is as always, no one has heard or seen the Nina since she missed a scheduled check in with New Zealand weatherman Bob McDavitt.  The encouraging news mostly remains the same.  If the Nina was afloat on June 5th, 2013, then she is afloat today.

Of course, the naysayers claim there is no point in searching for the Nina today because the crew could not possibly survive after six months at sea.  I love naysayers because they are almost always wrong.  John Glennie, who survived 119 days afloat on the upside down Rose Noelle, says if the Nina survived the storm she was battling then, not only is the boat afloat, but the sailors are alive.  He says he would have been able to survive for an extended period of time if the Rose Noelle had not bumped into an Island on the East side of New Zealand saving Glennie and his three crew members.

Meanwhile, the families remain guarded in the information they are willing to release about the effectiveness of the original search.  Likewise, they say they have no confidence in further lobbying of the U.S. State Department which reportedly intervened to stop U.S. efforts to find the Nina.

 The U.S. State Department claims New Zealand says the boat sank so there is no reason to expend U.S. resources.  When the U.S. State Department says they are not experts in search and rescue they are right.  The sinking of the Nina is one of many scenarios postulated by the New Zealand authorities.  Other theories include a likely dis-masting rendering the Nina incapable of navigation.  The only thing that is clear, after the most thorough search in the history of New Zealand, not a single trace of the boat was found.  It is very rare for a boat to sink without coughing up clues.

Fortunately, not everyone is buying into naysayer claims.  Some private pilots are launching their own private search, Operation Nina, to check the barrier islands lying off the East coast of Australia.  Numerous boats lost in the Tasman Sea eventually landed on one of those islands or an Australian beach including the Scotch Bonnet in 2012, which was abandoned near the last know position of the Nina.

Some people have inaccurately reported Sailing Savoir Faire as an "activist website" with ulterior motives.  Frankly, we lean hard left on the side of the current government in most of our reporting.  However, as journalists, we are responsible for reporting the truth.  From our perspective, we don't think any of the peoples of New Zealand, Australia, England or the U.S. would be happy to learn 7 sailors are floating in the Tasman Sea in desperate need of help and the respective governments are spending their time passing the buck to each other rather than rolling up their sleeves. We must report exactly that.  

Lacking evidence of a sinking, the rational conclusion to make is the Nina is afloat and the sailors need immediate assistance.  All sailors might be wise to take the Nina case as a harbinger when contemplating the prospects for rescue while venturing into similar waters.

Ha Ha, A Sailing Movie

Living the Carefree Lifestyle

Sailing represents something in all of us that needs to be let out.  It brings out the better side of us when we use magic powers which allow a boat to dance along without the din of the engine.  People who normally would be the sternest adults let their younger side peek through.  Sailing is that little kid inside of us that maybe we couldn't set free when we were really little kids.  Now is the Time.  Go Sailing.

Petition To Save 7 Sailors Hits 2K Mark

People All Over The World Sign To Save The Nina 7

A petition to save the 7 sailors aboard the 1928 schooner, Nina, hit 2000 signatures yesterday, October 17th, 2013.  Friends and family of the missing sailors are asking the US State Department to take a leadership role in the search for the missing schooner and crew.


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You can add your voice to the petition. 

People who don't believe the crew could survive this long in the hostile environment of the Tasman Sea are not informed of the facts.  Only 1 scenario out of 6 scenarios postulated by the Rescue Coordination Center, New Zealand, suggests the yacht sank.  Other scenarios suggest the Nina is disabled and floating in the famous reverse circular currents of the Tasman Sea.

Sailors are taught how to catch rain water to supplement limited provisions.  It is winter in the Tasman Sea so rain will be plentiful.  The Nina also has store aboard her, which will add to longevity.  But the best source for sustenance is the very ocean water upon which the yacht is lost.  The Tasman Sea is rich in marine life which will come in handy as the crew aboard the Nina battle for survival.

The Dyche family renovated the Nina over several years.  Captain David Dyche is a professional ships captain.  From the start of their ordeal, he knows survival is a matter of management of the scarce resources available to him.  It is logical and reasonable to assume Dyche began rationing food and stores as the crew began to set about the business of a possible long-term rescue.

Meanwhile, Texas Equusearch, an all volunteer organization, has been advising the families on effective search strategy.  The families want the United States to support them in various ways.   So far, their petition to the United States Department of State has fallen on deaf ears.  However, there is keen optimism a decision maker, rather than an administrator, will take an interest in the Nina rescue case and listen to what the families have to say.

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.

Kiwi's Push To Take Cup Today!

Two Wins To Victory!

INDEX OF PAST POSTS

LAST 5 POSTS

Page 67  Don't Play Cat And Mouse Games With Me!
Page 68  A Special Song Inspires, Kingdom
Page 69  Kiwi's Push For Win At America's Cup
Page 70  Oracle Team Has Everything To Lose, and Everything To Gain
Page 71  My First Bit Part In A Music Video

Oracle Team Fighting For Survival!

Oracle Team has fallen hopelessly behind the New Zealand team.  All the Emirates Team NZ needs is two more wins.  If those come today, the planned press conference will turn into a final award of the America's Cup.

Oracle Team is defending the Cup.  New Zeland is on it's toes, the entire nation of 4 million anxious for any news.  Oracle Team inched closer to making this an even race with one win during the past race day.  However, they needed both wins to keep the Kiwi's from marching to victory.

The video is of the Luis Vuitton Cup, which helped the Kiwi's practice their style!





Stay tuned to Sailing Savoir Faire for news about the America's Cup and the quest of two nation's to win the Cup.  The Kiwi's push for a steal, while the U.S. Oracle Team seeks to keep the Cup here in the U.S. 

NEWS OF THE MISSING RACING SCHOONER THE NINA!

Volunteers continue to work on the search for the Nina.  Official government efforts halted on July 5th, 2013.  The family believes the sailors are on a disabled yacht, floating in the reverse circular currents of the Tasman Sea.  Eventually, the boat will float to Australia or New Zealand.  Past boats which took this route have floated for up to a year.
You can help find the Nina on satellite images taken by Digital Globe and served on a crowd sourcing site called Tomnod. Why not find the Nina HERE and put your name in the history books?

A Special Song Inspires The Search, Kingdom

A song for Danielle Wright and the 

crew of the Nina.

INDEX OF POSTS
Last 5 Posts

Page 63  Equusearch Ready To Scramble Over Life Raft

Page 64  New Zealand Teaches America A Lesson

Page 65  Planes Flying For Nina, 7 Man Crew Missing For 98 Days

Page 66  Do You C What I C?
Page 67  Don't Play Cat And Mouse Games With Me!

A special song for special people!  This one was written thinking of the Nina and one of her crew, Danielle Wright.

Thanks to the musical group Kingdom!
The schooner, Nina, an American treasure, went missing in the Tasman Sea.  A private rescue effort has been launched by some of the family members to find the missing seven member crew.
You can help find the missing crew!  Please check out these satellite images taken of the Tasman Sea by Digital Globe. When you spot the Nina, just pin it!
Start looking HERE!