St Helena : An Open Letter from St Helena Police
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Public Relations Information Office) 16.06.2012 (Article Archived on 30.06.2012)
I have received a report concerning the actions of the Sea Rescue Service on 31st May 2012 that I believe should be brought to the attention of the St Helena public The search and rescue operation involved crew and local volunteers and I would particularly like to make mention of the part played by Mr Trevor Thomas in using his local knowledge of the fishing waters to direct the sea rescue boat to assist another local boat in trouble.
ST HELENA POLICE
Ogborn House
Jamestown,
St Helena, S.A.O
12th June 2012
To: The Editor - Sentinel Newspaper
The Editor - The Independent Newspaper
Dear Sir
I have received a report concerning the actions of the Sea Rescue Service on 31st May 2012 that I believe should be brought to the attention of the St Helena public The search and rescue operation involved crew and local volunteers and I would particularly like to make mention of the part played by Mr Trevor Thomas in using his local knowledge of the fishing waters to direct the sea rescue boat to assist another local boat in trouble.
The fishing boat Sea Rover experienced engine problems and was adrift some 8 miles off Speery Island that evening. It was reported that the weather and sea conditions around South West Point were at that time atrocious, with winds at a Gale Force 6 to 7. This involved swells of 3-4 metres with white foam breaking on the top and walls of water rolling over the entire rescue craft. Visibility was obviously poor, with the height of the waves reducing visibility to 20 metres or so ahead of the sea rescue craft. These conditions significantly hampered the ability to conduct a visual search.
Mr Thomas used his experience and skill to assist in navigating the craft directly to the stricken boat, just by looking at the depths of water on the sonar equipment and using the outline of South West Point as a reference.
The crew maintained radio communications with Sea Rover and by using the local deep sea fishing ground names, the crew were impressed by how accurately Mr Thomas was able to navigate the rescue craft directly to the stricken vessel, enabling a quick rescue as opposed to having to search open waters. Sea Rover was eventually located and towed back to safety.
The sea rescue boat performed extremely well in the most difficult of circumstances and this is particularly pleasing as this is the first time it has been put through its paces in conditions of this nature. It is comforting to know that we have a crew and volunteers with the right skills and equipment to cope. Had we not had a suitably equipped rescue boat of this specification, it is unlikely that we would have been able to mount an effective rescue operation from James Bay. This was a life threatening situation with a positive outcome for all concerned.
I am aware of a few people who had some initial concerns regarding the rescue boat’s specification when purchased, but on this occasion the sea rescue boat performed exactly as intended in the worst of conditions. Its ability to perform in these conditions was the subject of very positive feedback by all those involved in this incident.
On behalf of the Sea Rescue Service I would like to pay tribute to all those involved in that rescue operation and offer my sincere thanks for the assistance provided by Mr Thomas.
Yours sincerely
Peter Coll
Chief of Police
St Helena Island
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