AZTECA 5

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AMVER ships assisting yachts in distress

The US Coast Guard and good Samaritans wree responding to reports of two foundering sailing vessels roughly 2,000 miles southeast of Hilo on the Big Island on May 30, 2019. The crews of the "Azteca 5" and the car carrier "Tomar", both participating in the AMVER program, were responding to the "Ran Tan II" and the "Irish Eyes" respectively. The two sailing ships were approximately 85 miles apart from each other. The New Zealand-based "Ran Tan II" is a performance sailing yacht and was transiting to California from French Polynesia in preparation for the 50th Transpacific Yacht Race due to commence in July. The "Irish Eyes" is a recreational sailing vessel from California, and was en route to Tahiti. On May 28, 2019, at 5:17 p.m., the JRCC watchstanders received a report from the master of the 49-foot sailing vessel "Ran Tan II" stating the vessel’s keel was failing and the three people aboard were making preparations to abandon ship as needed with supplies and emergency beacons into a life-raft to await rescue. The watchstanders immediately issued a SafteyNet broadcast requesting assistance from vessels in the area. They were located 2,008 miles southeast of Hilo. The crew of the "Azteca 5" responded to the request for help and diverted course to the "Ran Tan II"’s location. After the keel broke, the three crew members deployed their life raft and were picked up by the tuna boat four hours later with their helicopter and small boat. Already on May 27 the JRCC watchstanders received a report of an SOS activation through a GPS-enabled text device belonging to the 29-foot sailing vessel "Irish Eyes" 1,840 miles southeast of Hilo. Watchstanders made contact with the master who said the boat was de-masted Monday and they were unable to make repairs, but the two people aboard were seeking assistance from friends in the region. JRCC watchstanders ensured the crew had enough supplies and set up a communication schedule with them to monitor the situation. The watchstanders also began searching for nearby vessels able to assist should the "Irish Eyes" crew request a rescue. On May 28, that request came, and the JRCC watchstanders issued a SafteyNet broadcast requesting assistance from vessels in the area. The "Tomar", enroute from San Antonio to Ulsan, agreed to assist and began making way towards the "Irish Eyes". The crew of the car carrier took on board the crew of two of the yacht. The weather on scene was winds of 17 mph and seas up to seven feet.