Thursday, September 17, 2009VISAR crews help in search from start to finish
Time of call: 0350, Time of Launch:
Sunday 13th September
Original call to coordinator at 0350, 20 year old male missing after falling overboard en route from Virgin Gorda to Tortola. Two passengers fell out, the second person was helped back onboard and transported to Peebles for observation along with another passenger who had received injuries but not fallen out of the boat.
There were local boats on scene and searching the immediate area, south of Beef Island.
0420 - VISAR vessels on scene and started line searchesfrom the Bluff towards Fat Hogs Green. Local salvage company dropped markers into the area to check tide and drift. VISAR sent a 'pan, pan' to all vessels to be on the look out. US Coast Guard continued at regular intervals.
Spirit, Gorda Peak and the salvage vessel continued to coordinate search patterns. Shore searches organised by Police and East End residents. Surface searches of shorelines and bays surrounding target area.
0555 - Lifejacket retrieved from water by Spirit, confirming target area. Surface and shoreline searches of surrounding bays as well as target area.
0605 - US Coast Guard, Puerto Rico alerted with request for air support.
0706 - Commissioner Frazer briefed.
0725 - VISAR crews change over and back out to continue search. Local snorkelers report poor visibility.
Police vessel St. Ursula on scene, a local trimaran joined the search with several divers and gear to assist VISAR crew with underwater search. Second local dive charter boat joined with additional divers and gear.
0830 - USCG fixed wing route for air search. Beef Island Tower request all outbound flights to keep a look out.
Continue search towards Buck Island, Bluff and Beef Island runway.
1102 - Governor's office updated
1400- VISAR in for crews change and return to continue search.
Repeated shore, air and underwater searches of target area through rest of day.
Monday 14th September
Police and local boats out from first light.
1113 - Spirit & Gorda Peak on scene. Coordinated with St. Ursula and continued shoreline searches. Paraquitta to Beef Island both on surface and with snorkelers.
1520 - both VISAR vessels stand down, local boats remain on scene.
Tuesday 15th September
Local boats and Police out from first light.
1052 - Spirit on scene, parallel search from last known coordinates.
1300 - Gorda Peak relieved Spirit on scene.
1600 - Spirit relieved Gorda Peak. Divers investigate target area again.
Wednesday 16th September
Local boats from first light.
0830 - Local aircraft searches until 1100
1008 Spirit on scene for expanding surface search.
1300 - Gorda Peak relieves Spirit on scene. VISAR divers investigate target area.
1500 - VISAR crew retrieve personal effects and pass them onto the police.
1600 - Local aircraft to fly again and Spirit scheduled to relieve Gorda Peak on scene. Local salvage company to supply divers.
VISAR crew continued search. Stood down at dusk.
Thursday 17th September
0950 - Spirit and salvage crew returned to dive on target area.
All agencies stood down. Search completed and family informed.