ARLA/CLUSTER: Maritime Mobile Service Net (MMSN) : Radioamadores auxiliam veleiros em 14 300 kHz

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

Radio hams assist sailing vessel

ARRL reports the *Maritime Mobile Service Net* (MMSN) on 14.300 MHz came to
the assistance of a sailing vessel on June 25

The ARRL say:

MMSN control operator *Steven Carpenter, K9UA*, took a call on 20 meters
from *Ian Cummings, KB4SG*, the skipper of the Mystic Lady, then some 40
miles east of Florida. Cummings reported that his engine had failed as he
was attempting to return to his home port of Stuart, Florida. He not only
had insufficient wind, but a strong current was carrying the vessel out to
sea.

Cummings had been unable to reach any station via his VHF marine radio,
since he was too far from the coast. Assisting in the call was *Robert
Wynhoff, K5HUT*, also an MMSN net control operator. Cummings said his
vessel, with one passenger on board, was drifting northwest toward the
South Carolina coast.

“A major concern was that the vessel was heading directly towards a lee
shore,� the MMSN reported. “Lee shores are shallow, dangerous areas which
are a hazard to watercraft. Vessels could be pushed into the shallow area
by the wind, possibly running aground and breaking up.�

Carpenter contacted Cummings’ family, who had already called the Sea Tow
marine towing service. Sea Tow advised Carpenter to tell the captain to
head closer to shore by sailing west, if possible. Carpenter told Cummings
that if he was unable to get nearer to shore, he would notify the US Coast
Guard, which was already monitoring the situation.

As the MMSN reported, “The Mystic Lady was able to make some headway, but
it was very slow. Members of the MMSN made additional calls via landline to
the captain’s family as to the ongoing status of those on board. The family
was concerned but relieved that communication was established and that all
were well.�

Several hours later, the captain advised that the wind had picked up,
allowing him to head close enough to shore for Sea Tow to reach the vessel
and take it back to port.

The Pacific Seafarers’ Net, which monitors 14.300 MHz from the West Coast
after the MMSN secures at 0200 UTC, kept in touch with the Mystic Lady into
the night while it was under tow.

The tired, grateful captain later messaged the net, “A million thanks to
everyone last night who helped rescue us on 14.300. Everyone chipped in as
we drifted north in the Gulf Stream 60 miles headed to a lee shore.
The MMSN net control and several others stayed with us for hours, phoned
people, and were immensely helpful. The situation on board was dangerous.
We are now safely under tow home. You folks are amazing!�

In operation since 1968, the MMSN monitors 14.300 MHz 70 hours a week to
assist vessels and others in need of assistance.

Thanks to MMSN Net Manager Jeff Savasta, KB4JKL

Fonte: ARRL
http://www.arrl.org/news/maritime-mobile-service-network-comes-to-the-aid-of-vessel-in-distress
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