Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Rescue drama in the harbour

A Sunday morning drama unfolded within sight of the shore line of Prince Rupert, as the 12.22-metre prawn vessel Dandee An suffered the ravages of a fierce wind whipping up the waters of Prince Rupert harbour.

Marine search and rescue crews were dispatched at 9:20 a.m on Sunday, to render assistance to the three man crew of the vessel, who were rescued off of the hull of the boat and taken to emergency personnel at Fairview Docks.

The Dandee An sank off of Pilsbury Cove after capsizing in the rough waters, the three man crew were taken to Prince Rupert Regional Hospital for observation and were later released.

The Daily News had details of the harbour rescue in the Monday edition of the paper.


Fishing vessel lost in storm, all aboard are safe
Published: Monday, October 22, 2007
The Daily News
Page One

Sunday's fierce winds claimed a fishing vessel within sight of Prince Rupert, but the fast work of rescuers ensured all members of the crew made it off alive.

Marine search and rescue crews were called out at 9:20 a.m. Sunday to assist the 12.22-metre prawn vessel Dandee An, said Geoff Gould, president, Prince Rupert Marine Rescue Society.

He said the Dandee An had sent out a frantic mayday call moments earlier stating that the vessel, with three people on board, was going down in Prince Rupert harbour. Numerous vessels in the harbour responded including the C.G. Point Henry, Point Henry two, Miss Fraser, C.G. Auxiliary Rainbow Responder and the Kaprino Wind.

Gould said three wet fishermen were plucked off the capsized hull of the Dandee An by the water taxi Kaprino Wind.

The survivors were taken to Fairview dock and met by emergency health services personnel and taken to Prince Rupert hospital for check-ups.

Investigators are not sure about the exact circumstances surrounding the capsizing, but winds at the time were gusting up to 54 knots and the seas were rough off Pillsbury Cove, where the vessel now rests on the bottom.

The vessel is registered to Luc Do and Cuc Thi Nguyen of Prince Rupert.

See upcoming editions of the Daily News for more on the incident and to find out about possible efforts to refloat the vessel.

No comments: