Explosions On Burning Ferry, Gale, Make Rescue Difficult

BRINDISI, ITALY - At least one person was reported dead and others are missing as authorities struggle to air-lift 500 passengers and crew from a ferry that caught fire in the Adriatic Sea Sunday. 

A.P. photo

The ferry, the Norman Atlantic, caught fire about 13 miles from the Albanian port city of Vlore between Greece and Italy.  The fire seemed to have started on the lower decks with continuing explosions thereafter.

Initially, efforts were being made to tow the ferry to safety, but gale force winds and driving hail have made the effort nearly impossible.  Meanwhile, approximately 140 passengers and possible crew have been airlifted to safety after the nation of Italy took over the rescue effort.

"We are burning and sinking, no one can save us!" said Nikos Papetheodosiou to Greek TV by telephone.  "Please help us!  Don't leave us!"

The surviving passengers have climbed to the top decks of the listing ferry with choking smoke billowing into the night.  The Italian Coastguard said the fire had been tamed.  Cables have been attached to the ship and fire-boats to stabilize the ship while passenger and crew are evacuated.

The North Atlantic provides harsh conditions with little chance for extended survival time for anyone forced into the water.  

Sources for this article include the L.A. Times and Reuters.

Seven Sisters Found, Crew Missing, Kite Man of Berkeley

The alert went out on boatwatch and a variety of cruising and sailing websites and sailing threads:  Tom Kardos and his experimental 40 foot yacht, Seven Sisters, was overdue for it's planned November 9th, arrival date in Acapulco.

11/28/2014 "S/V Seven Sisters

Overdue at Acapulco, Mexico
CLOSED:  On November 23, 2014, a passing M/V sighted and reported the S/Y Seven Sisters, disabled, one outrigger broken, no crew aboard.  No sighting of the kayak or the inflatable that were reported to be aboard.  Position: (11°-29.0 N x 102°-16.0 W).

Tonight we hear the mixed blessings, the yacht has been found, but not her crew, Tom Kardos.  At least, this is not another missing-without-a-trace story, like the Nina and the Lady Domina.  However, finding the boat without the crew suggests a difficult scenario.

Clearly, common advice is to stay with the wreck if at all possible.  It appears as if Tom survived a capsizing of the Seven Sisters and had erected temporary shelter, although, that is speculation.  It is unknown whether the kayak or inflatable that were lashed to the deck of the Seven Sisters survived the capsizing, or whether, for unknown reasons, Tom managed to board one of them.  

Our hearts are with Tom's family and friends.  

Photo the Seven Sisters

Cushion Port Side (overturned)

Flotation Starboard Side (overturned)

Outboard Motor Well On Stern

Tom gained fame early in life by landing his hang glider on the 10 yard line at Berkeley's Memorial Stadium on October 27th, 1979, upstaging the Cal-USC football game, and the Cal quarterback who ducked under the right wing.

Thanks to Latitude 38 and it's version of 'Lectronic Latitude' for some of the information and links.

Here is the Seven Sisters, in all her glory.

Tom Kardos, Seven Sisters, Overdue at Acapulco

Missing, the Seven Sisters, en route to AcApulco:

Last Known Position as Plotted On Google Earth

The following is from Boat Watch:




S/V Seven Sisters
Overdue at Acapulco, Mexico
November 24, 2014 @ 1500 UTC

We have been asked for assistance in locating the S/V Seven Sisters.

Boat Description:
Approximately 39 feet in length white hull with blue trim, dark blue sail and light blue mainsail. She is carrying a 10 foot grey kayak and 6 foot red inflatable.

Comms: Marine VHF Radio only.

POB: Thomas Kardos, mid 50's. 5'7" 165 lbs.

Last Known Position: 14° 11' N 095° 33' W, heading north to Acapulco, Mexico. If enough provisions could go straight to Cabo San Lucas.

Destination: Acapulco, Mexico. Was expected to arrive November 10, 2014.

Anyone with information regarding the S/V Seven Sister is requested to contact RCC Alameda at 510-437-3701 or rccalameda@uscg.mil.







Thanks always to Glenn Tuttle who helps us keep abreast of missing and overdue boats, a personal concern, after our own misadventures in the past.

SV Simplicity Found

We were just notified the SV Simplicity has been found.  We repeat a message we got from the cruisers network:

The S/V Simplicity made contact on the Maritime Mobile Service Network and advised they were delayed to their destination. The USCG was notified to cancel the boat watch. 

Thank you,

Glenn Tuttle - Moderator 
Cruisers Network Online

Sent from my I Phone

Peace to all sailors and thanks to those who take the time to raise the alarm when a boat is missing.  As in the case of the SV Nina, news of a missing boat is always valid, and the sooner authorities act to find the missing the better the potential results will be.

SV Simplicity Overdue From Wilmington DE to Ft. Pierce, FL. Please Advise

THIS BOAT HAS BEEN FOUND, ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT REPORTS.

Photo is of the SV Simplicity which was for sale through
the Multihullcompany.  It is a Francis 48.  It may or may
not be the boat which has been reported missing.

If you have any information about the SV Simplicity, please advise the Coast Guard IMMEDIATELY.  This boat is long over due and look-outs have seen nothing of her. 

The following message was received from Glenn Tuttle, the Cruisers Network:

USCG Wilmington, and USCG Norfolk have issued a lookout for the S/V Simplicity, a 47.5 sailing catamaran. It is a 2003 St. Francis catamaran , US flagged, and skippered by Capt. Ralph Hendry. POB: unknown. Registered Home Port: Wilmington, DE. They have EPIRB, VHF, and HF and a rib dinghy.


They were last heard from in the area of 42 mi. offshore of Wilmington on Nov. 5th. They were going from Hampton, to Ft. Pierce, FL, and are now declared overdue by the USCG. There could be as many as 5 POB, but this is taken from a year old float plan


This information was verified with the USCG as of 0645 hrs EST, Monday, 10 Nov.


Any one with any knowledge of the whereabouts of this vessel, please contact USCG Norfolk at 757-398-6390.


Glenn Tuttle - Moderator
Cruisers Network Online
"Tothill"
K9UT
Punta Gorda, FL

Serenity Crew Sam and Sharon Alleyne In Deep Sleep, but Safe

Although the details are sketchy, the 47 foot yacht, Serenity, and her crew of two,  Sam and Sharon Alleyne have been found.  A message has been posted on daughter, Teo Alleyne's face book page:

"A message from my mother who just got home. Thank you once again everyone!

"With Gods Blessing, Sam and I , survived five days, four nights at sea that had us doing almost 600 miles. 

We want to thank all those who have sent their prayers, who organized searches, or helped us in any way. 

Right now we need to rehydrate, (sic) eat some food and get some much needed rest. Will give the whole saga when I can think straight"

Teo Alleyne 

The Bg Unicorn

Sam Alleyne was the captain of the famous 'Pirates of the Caribbean' ship, The Big Unicorn.  Unfortunately, the Big Unicorn sank last May as it was being brought in for repairs.

It is unclear what happened to the Serenity. Arthur Alleyne told his daughter, Teo, they had been "drifting" according to an article published by the BBC.  Captain Alleyne said he and his wife were o.k., but they needed to re-hydrate and get some sleep.  After that, the line went dead.

S/V Serenity, Sam and Sharon Alleyne, OVER DUE

From:  Glenn Tuttle:

Glenn Tuttle - Moderator
Cruisers Network Online
"Tothill"

Punta Gorda, FLThe following message provided by Boatwatchnet.org.

Chris,

Would you mind putting this out on your nets covering the Eastern Caribbean in the morning?

Thanks,

Glenn Tuttle - Moderator
Cruisers Network Online
"Tothill"
Punta Gorda, FL

Hi Everyone,

We have been asked for assistance in locating the
S/V Serenity. She is white, 47' fiberglass sloop with
teak deck and light blue bimini, one mast and one engine.

Vessel Comms Marine VHF. 

Arthur Alleyne

Two POB: 

 Arthur Alleyne (Capt. Sam Alleyne) 63 and Sharon Went Alleyne 59. 

Serenity left St. Lucia enroute to Barbados on Saturday morning. At 2:14pm, we received a phone call via iphone that the boat was 35 miles off St. Lucia. Vessel is long overdue at Barbados, vessel hasn't been heard from since 1415 on the 25th October, 2014, 35 miles off St. Lucia. Please contact nearest RCC or Arianne Moore at arianne.t.moore-at-gmail.com. Please see the website for the full message and contact info.

Thanks and 73,
Mike

IBWN