Joseph A Ferris III
Tragedy At Sea - Sailboat Lunatic
My lookout spotted the derelict boat at about 2 Nautical Miles on the bow only 3 minuets after relieving the watch (the 0800-1200 watch is now embarrassingly nicknamed eagle eyes for missing it). We learned from several internet news stories that we were the 2nd ship to pass the adrift sailboat, but we were the first to make a boarding, confirm there was no body aboard, and to recover the logbook and some of his personal photos to pass on to the family. The following is my report to Australian search and rescue authorities.
At 0602UTC, position Lat. 32-08S Long. 91-07E, we came alongside the derelict sail boat Lunatic. Our Chief Mate and one AB boarded the vessel and discovered no persons aboard. Dangerous conditions aboard the sail boat made extensive inspections impractical. Report forward V-berth was locked along with much disarray of gear in main cabin. Made recovery of logbooks and small personal effects such as photos which we will turn over to authorities on May 15 arrival in Fremantle.
Much was made of this later on:
Tragedy At Sea - Sailboat Lunatic
My lookout spotted the derelict boat at about 2 Nautical Miles on the bow only 3 minuets after relieving the watch (the 0800-1200 watch is now embarrassingly nicknamed eagle eyes for missing it). We learned from several internet news stories that we were the 2nd ship to pass the adrift sailboat, but we were the first to make a boarding, confirm there was no body aboard, and to recover the logbook and some of his personal photos to pass on to the family. The following is my report to Australian search and rescue authorities.
At 0602UTC, position Lat. 32-08S Long. 91-07E, we came alongside the derelict sail boat Lunatic. Our Chief Mate and one AB boarded the vessel and discovered no persons aboard. Dangerous conditions aboard the sail boat made extensive inspections impractical. Report forward V-berth was locked along with much disarray of gear in main cabin. Made recovery of logbooks and small personal effects such as photos which we will turn over to authorities on May 15 arrival in Fremantle.
Much was made of this later on: