The Crew Of APL Japan Is Honoured By US Coast Guard
On June 9,2008 at 0335 hours New York Time, 2nd Officer Rajesh Kumar onboard Hyundai Japan (The 906-foot container vessel is renamed from APL Japan while on long-term charter) received distress alerts from a yacht “Dally On” which was located 10 nautical miles (nm) away from their port quarter.
After understanding the dire straits “Dally On” was in - she had lost her rudder and sail in the previous night's storm which left them tossing in the North Atlantic Sea engulfed in the Force 6 winds and 15 feet high sea - Captain Parvez Guard assured the family of four that rescue was on the way. Meanwhile, Captain Guard informed NYK agents, NYK Coastguards and CSO Captain Ashwani Kumar Anand of the situation.
It was a great challenge and effort to fasten “Dally On” onto the container vessel. The thrown lines were either broken when the small craft got swept away towards the stern part or drifted away in the strong winds. Finally when the crew was ready to receive the first family member, they were shocked to see an 18 months old baby girl who was too small to fit into the harness to be lifted up. In order to rescue the toddler, AB Anthony Gomez-Stalin made a daring descend to the yacht using the pilot ladder. He then climbed the ladder with the infant strapped onto him and one hand protecting her head. During the rescue, AB Anthony had injured his leg slightly.
The crew continued to rescue the others, a five year-old girl and the parents. Though the rescue effort became more challenging as the rough sea had swept “Dally On” to pound hard against Hyundai Japan numerous times, it was most fortunate that all well with little casualty under the prevailing weather conditions.
On June 12, 2008 onboard Hyundai Japan at New York Container Terminal, the US Coast Guard honored Captain Guard and the crew of Hyundai Japan for their daring and commendable act. The grateful passengers were also released for a return to their native Germany. Upon receiving the honour from US Coast Guard, Captain Guard commented: “As a master, I commend the entire crew for their quick and selfless response to the entire rescue operation, especially AB Anthony Gomez-Stalin whose daring act had saved much precious time.”
Source: www.nsspl.com
|
