CQDX

This video is part of LINETube 2011. Videos are the personal output of members of LINE staff as part of an internal competition rather than actual LINE content.

Entry: CQ DX - Christine Murray

Thursday 24th March was the last contact Gerry LA0HK had with Tom G0CAJ/MM. His signal was very weak and the forecast included warnings for gales and very high waves as they moved into a large area of severe weather.

Nothing was heard on Friday 25th and we became increasingly concerned.

On Saturday their daughter got in touch with us via Skype. Tom had made radio contact on Thursday with the South Africa Amateur Radio Maritime Mobile 'net' and the 'ham' on Tristan da Cunha who's the Head of Communications. The fore-stay of the yacht was badly damaged making it impossible to lower the mast. It was too dangerous in the conditions to attempt to climb the mast and the high wind was forcing the yacht South-Westwards.

Between them and the authorities in Brazil (their last known position was still in Brazilian waters) a rescue mission was afoot. An oil tanker a couple of hundred miles away had been diverted to find them.

Thankfully, all three crew were picked up with only relatively minor injuries, but sadly nearly everything on-board was lost. More than that we don't yet know.

We do know the tanker is bound for Cameroon, expected to arrive in the Gulf of Guinea around the 8th March, and once the paperwork is sorted Tom & Sue will be repatriated to the UK, and Chris to S Africa.

They must be devastated. Their life was their yacht.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• CQ
• DX

[VictoreCelia]

good job 73