Falklands : Three Safe After Minefield Incident
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 07.12.2008 (Article Archived on 21.12.2008)
Three crew members off the Belgium-flagged Yacht, VIA are safe and well tonight after wandering into a minefield near Kidney Island on East Falkland.
THREE SAFE AFTER MINEFIELD INCIDENT
By J. Brock (FINN)
Three crew members off the Belgium-flagged Yacht, VIA are safe and well tonight after wandering into a minefield near Kidney Island on East Falkland.
The incident came to FINN’s notice when a frantic radio call was made to the yacht at approximately 1818 hrs on Saturday, 06 December 2008. The caller warned the yacht three times to get their people off the beach because it was in a recognised minefield and very dangerous.
Also on the scene was the M/V SEAQUEST operated by South Atlantic Marine Services. That vessel's owner and skipper, Mr Dave Eynon called Cable & Wireless via the radio and also contacted the Royal Falkland Islands Police as well as the Fisheries Department about the incident, saying that people were on the beach in a known minefield and needed assistance in getting out.
A search and Rescue Helicopter from 78 Squadron Mount Pleasant was scrambled to help remove the three crew but by the time they were at the VIA’s location the three crew members had managed to get back aboard.
A further risk was taken by the three crew members by exiting the minefield without assistance, as the proper procedure is to stay put and wait for authorities to help.
In the Falklands it is an offence to enter a minefield and the incident is now in the hands of the Royal Falkland Islands Police.
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