SEARCH AND RESCUE PRESENTATION
TWO DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE HA-HA
SAR Specialist, Douglas Samp
Want to know what to do if you have an emergency at sea, such as a fire, heart attack, being holed by a whale, and need help? And exactly how getting help from the Coast Guard works?
As the Poobah, I'm proud to announce that the Ha-Ha has arranged for Douglas Samp, Search & Rescue Specialist, to give a presentation at the West Marine Superstore in San Diego late in the afternoon on October 29.
(Samp will also be at the Latitude 38 Crew List Party on September 1, 6 to 9 pm, at Spaulding Marine Center in Sausalito. The event is free to Skippers and First Mates signed up for this year's Baja Ha-Ha.)
Here's a fun fact about Specialist Samp. "I was the Command Duty Officer at RCC in Alameda when a whale struck and sunk the J/Boat participant in the Ha-Ha in 2009. I remember that case like it was yesterday."
As many of you might remember, thanks to the efforts of everyone, from skipper Eugenie Russell and the boat crew, and everyone at the Coast Guard, the result was a "textbook rescue". This even though the incident happened at the extreme limit of helicopter range.
As Eugenie Russell will again be a skipper in this year's Ha-Ha, we think there is a good chance she'll be at the presentation on October 29 to share the experience through her eyes.
Just how far will the Coast Guard and other services go to rescue mariners in distress? A number of years ago a Ha-Ha boat continued west across the Pacific toward the Marquesas. One of the crew slipped on the companionway ladder and bit his tongue so badly to it became swollen and made it very difficult for him to breathe.
The Coast Guard was contacted, who in turn contacted the Air Force special rescue team. The team boarded a plane in Sacramento, flew halfway across the Pacific, and then — and this is hard to believe — the team jumped out of the plane with an inflatable boat and rescue gear! If memory serves me, it might have even been in the middle of the night, too.
Can we spell cojones?
And they took care of business.
More recently, highly-experienced sailor Andy Schwenk came down with a severe infection during a delivery from Hawaii to California. The Coast Guard employed the services of two Blackhawk helos, two refuelers, and two C-130s — and a ship — to save the day.
Given what the Coast Guard is willing to do for you, it makes sense to learn about how to help them do their job in the thankfully unlikely event you'll need it.
We hope to see you at the presentation. It's free. And the Ha-Ha is inviting everyone, not just members of this year's Ha-Ha.
Sign up for the Ha-Ha HERE.
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