Tanker Crew Rescues Overdue Sailors Off Delaware

Tanker Crew Rescues Overdue Sailors Off Delaware
Mike Schuler December 13, 2022 https://gcaptain.com/tanker-crew-rescues-overdue-sailors-off-delaware/

The U.S. Coast Guard is reporting the rescue of two sailors aboard the sailboat Atrevida II following an extensive search covering more than 21,000 miles of ocean involving multiple search and rescue assets.

The Atrevida II was located approximately 214 miles east of Delaware by the crew of the tanker Silver Muna.

Found were Kevin Hyde, a 65-year-old male, and Joe Ditomasso, a 76-year-old male, along with their dog. They were last in contact with family and friends on December 3, 2022, when they departed Oregon Inlet, North Carolina. Hyde and Ditomasso were traveling from from Cape May, New Jersey to Marathon in the Florida Keys.

The Atrevida II was found to be without fuel and power, rendering their radios and navigation equipment inoperable. Hyde and Ditomasso gained the attention of the Silver Muna crew by waiving their arms and a flag.

They were brought aboard Silver Muna at 4:18 p.m. Tuesday and evaluated by medical staff with no immediate concerns. Silver Muna will bring them its next port of call in New York, New York where they will be transferred to a Coast Guard vessel for further evaluation and reunification with their family and friends.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Fifth District command center were notified on Sunday, December 11, 2022, that Hyde and Ditomasso were overdue. The Coast Guard began urgent marine information broadcasts and direct communication with commercial vessels in the area in an attempt to locate them.

The Coast Guard launched multiple aircraft and cutters to search for the Atrevida II. Additionally, vessels from the U.S. Navy’s Second Fleet and commercial and recreational vessel traffic within in the search area contributed to the effort.

Coast Guard, Navy, and Good Samaritan vessels searched a combined 21,164 square miles of water, spanning from northern Florida to the waters east of New Jersey.

“This is an excellent example of the maritime community’s combined efforts to ensure safety of life at sea,” said Cmdr. Daniel Schrader, spokesperson for Coast Guard Atlantic Area. “We are overjoyed with the outcome of the case and look forward to reuniting Mr. Hyde and Mr. Ditomasso with their family and friends. We also want to highlight the importance of proper safety equipment and preparedness when going to sea. Having an emergency position indicating radio beacon, or ‘EPIRB’, allows mariners to immediately make contact with first responders in an emergency.”