Posted:
January 22, 2016
The USNS Pathfinder, one of six T-AGS vessels operated for Military Sealift Command by U.S. Marine Management, Inc. and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers, rescued Canadian national Eric Valois from his sinking sailboat, Flamboyant, after receiving a distress call. When the call was made, Flamboyant was dead in the water. The vessel had lost its mast, which had punctured the hull, and the mast shrouds had fouled the propeller, causing an engine failure in 30-knot winds and rough seas.
On the morning of December 24, the USNS Pathfinder was on maneuvers near the Bahamas and held a memorial for the crew of El Faro.
When the distress call was received 12 hours following the memorial, Captain Thomas Pearse-Drance, master on the USNS Pathfinder, immediately diverted to Flamboyant's position, a distance of approximately five nautical miles. Valois was brought onboard the USNS Pathfinder and provided with food and dry clothing. The USNS Pathfinder attempted to tow the damaged sailboat but was unable to save the Flamboyant.
"When my watch officer alerted me to the MAYDAY, we immediately started heading that way for assistance, as there is an old law of the sea to render assistance to a mariner in distress," Pearse-Drance said. "Of course when a life is at risk we were happy that we were in good position to render prompt assistance. We had to make a careful approach because there was a life onboard. My entire crew was very responsive and acted professionally, understanding how important it was to get Eric Valois onboard as quickly and safely as possible."
The crew of USNS Pathfinder notified the proper authorities and agencies in order to ease Valois' return to his home country, and dropped him off at its next port of call.
Valois, who had lost most of his possessions on Flamboyant, told a Canadian television station the rescue was his "Christmas present," and he was grateful for the heroic efforts of the crew of USNS Pathfinder.
Commander of Military Sealift Command Rear Adm. Thomas Shannon contacted Captain Pearse-Drance and commended the officers and crew of the USNS Pathfinder.
"Congratulations to you and crew of PATHFINDER for swiftly responding and executing the safe rescue of a Canadian sailor on Christmas Eve," Rear Adm. Shannon wrote. "Your quick response to the MAYDAY call from the disabled sailboat 'FLAMBOYANT' was exceptional. I applaud the skill and enthusiasm of you and your crew to provide assistance to those in need. I understand the difficulty in executing a rescue in rough seas and the associated hazards to the ship and crew. You and your crew brought great credit to yourselves and our organization."
A Bravo Zulu was also extended to the USNS Pathfinder by Capt. Douglas McGoff, commander, Military Sealift Command Atlantic.
"I want to personally thank the entire crew of Pathfinder for your superb performance in coming to the aid of a fellow sailor in distress. I am sure that at least this one Canadian sailor will always look back on your actions as a bit of a 'Christmas miracle'," Capt. McGoff wrote. "Please accept my sincere appreciation and congratulations for a job well done."
Reports of the rescue also made national news in Canada.
USNS Pathfinder rescues sailor near Bahamas
The USNS Pathfinder rescued Canadian national Eric Valois on Christmas Eve from his sinking sailboat Flamboyant in heavy weather near the Bahamas. The USNS Pathfinder is operated for Military Sealift Command by U.S. Marine Management, Inc. and is manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.
The crew the USNS Pathfinder held a memorial for the crew of El Faro on the morning of Christmas Eve. Later that day, they rescued a Canadian sailor near the Bahamas. AMO officers aboard the USNS Pathfinder included (in no particular order) Captain Tom Pearse-Drance, Chief Mate Gary Carlson, First Assistant Engineer Richard Cherry, Chief Engineer Kevin Krogh, Third Mate John Birdwell, Second A.E. Jordan Cuddy, Third A.E. Zach Gainsley, and Radio Officer Eric Bodner. Not in the photo is Second Mate Kyle Dupuis.
The officers and crew of the USNS Pathfinder on Christmas Eve rescued a sailor from a sinking boat in heavy weather near the Bahamas.The USNS Pathfinder, one of six T-AGS vessels operated for Military Sealift Command by U.S. Marine Management, Inc. and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers, rescued Canadian national Eric Valois from his sinking sailboat, Flamboyant, after receiving a distress call. When the call was made, Flamboyant was dead in the water. The vessel had lost its mast, which had punctured the hull, and the mast shrouds had fouled the propeller, causing an engine failure in 30-knot winds and rough seas.
On the morning of December 24, the USNS Pathfinder was on maneuvers near the Bahamas and held a memorial for the crew of El Faro.
When the distress call was received 12 hours following the memorial, Captain Thomas Pearse-Drance, master on the USNS Pathfinder, immediately diverted to Flamboyant's position, a distance of approximately five nautical miles. Valois was brought onboard the USNS Pathfinder and provided with food and dry clothing. The USNS Pathfinder attempted to tow the damaged sailboat but was unable to save the Flamboyant.
"When my watch officer alerted me to the MAYDAY, we immediately started heading that way for assistance, as there is an old law of the sea to render assistance to a mariner in distress," Pearse-Drance said. "Of course when a life is at risk we were happy that we were in good position to render prompt assistance. We had to make a careful approach because there was a life onboard. My entire crew was very responsive and acted professionally, understanding how important it was to get Eric Valois onboard as quickly and safely as possible."
The crew of USNS Pathfinder notified the proper authorities and agencies in order to ease Valois' return to his home country, and dropped him off at its next port of call.
Valois, who had lost most of his possessions on Flamboyant, told a Canadian television station the rescue was his "Christmas present," and he was grateful for the heroic efforts of the crew of USNS Pathfinder.
Commander of Military Sealift Command Rear Adm. Thomas Shannon contacted Captain Pearse-Drance and commended the officers and crew of the USNS Pathfinder.
"Congratulations to you and crew of PATHFINDER for swiftly responding and executing the safe rescue of a Canadian sailor on Christmas Eve," Rear Adm. Shannon wrote. "Your quick response to the MAYDAY call from the disabled sailboat 'FLAMBOYANT' was exceptional. I applaud the skill and enthusiasm of you and your crew to provide assistance to those in need. I understand the difficulty in executing a rescue in rough seas and the associated hazards to the ship and crew. You and your crew brought great credit to yourselves and our organization."
A Bravo Zulu was also extended to the USNS Pathfinder by Capt. Douglas McGoff, commander, Military Sealift Command Atlantic.
"I want to personally thank the entire crew of Pathfinder for your superb performance in coming to the aid of a fellow sailor in distress. I am sure that at least this one Canadian sailor will always look back on your actions as a bit of a 'Christmas miracle'," Capt. McGoff wrote. "Please accept my sincere appreciation and congratulations for a job well done."
Reports of the rescue also made national news in Canada.