Castine Current
All Hands...
pointed out two fishing boats on the radar screen
that TSSOM had passed less than an hour earlier
by Capt. Les Eadie `76
so Capt. Eadie ordered the ship turned around
even before the Sydney Coast Guard asked him
Date: June 25th 2013
to aid the FV 40 ROSES. Meanwhile, because 40
1400 LT (1555 UTC)
ROSES had the TSSOM on its radar, the fishing
From: Capt. Les Eadie USMS
vessel headed toward the TSSOM at top speed.
To: RCC Halifax
Eadie said, "Things happened fairly quickly. I
A
called the engine room and Chief Engineer Roger
t about 1015 (1415 UTC) this morning,
Lowell '71 to let them know what was going
the TS STATE OF MAINE (TSSOM) over-
on and tel them that we were going to increase
heard a radio cal from the fishing vessel
40 ROSES requesting immediate medical assistance
our speed. I also talked to Chief Mate Brendan
from Sydney Coast Guard for a sick crew member.
McAvoy and Doctor Andrew Iverson about what
After listening to the cal and determining that the
we knew of the situation. The rescue boat crews
TSSOM was in a position to possibly help with the
were mustered along with the emergency squad.
medical emergency, the ship's course was changed
Once we sighted the fishing vessel, we had it
to rendezvous with 40 ROSES. VHF communica-
head toward us just as we were coming to a stop.
tion was established with 40 ROSES and Sydney
They were about 100 yards off when we lowered
CG. At approx. 1030, theTSSOM was appointed as
the rescue boat, and it only took a minute or two
OSC by Sydney CG.
before it was alongside the fishing vessel. Bos'n
Rendezvous was accomplished with the FV 40
Jani and Dr. Iverson boarded quickly and Dr.
ROSES at approx. 1115 (1515 UTC). The TSSOM
Iverson ascertained that the crew member had
was stopped and the starboard RHIB was lowered
already died."
"
to the water and away at 1130 with CM Brendan
McAvoy, Bos'n Mark Jani, Doctor Andrew Iverson,
MMA president, Dr. William Brennan, sent a
and Cadet Josh Taylor aboard. Once alongside the
letter to the academy faculty and staff to inform
Today, in a poignant
FV, Bos'n Jani and Doctor Iverson boarded the
them of the incident in which he stated,
fishing vessel.
reminder of the
After assessing the sick crew member aboard the
To Al Hands:
fishing vessel, Doctor Iverson pronounced the crew
Today in a poignant reminder of the frailty of
frailty of life and
member deceased at about 1140 LT (1540 UTC).
life and the remoteness of the ocean, the TSSOM
CCG Sydney was then notified. The fishing vessel
engaged in a fundamental responsibility of al ships
the remoteness
captain elected to return to port in Nova Scotia
at sea: to render assistance to mariners in need...
with the deceased crew member and indicated that
of the ocean, the
To Captain Eadie for his calm and effective
the assistance of the TSSOM was no longer needed.
At approx. 1153 the Stbd. RHIB returned to the
overal command; to Chief Mate McAvoy, Doctor
TSSOM engaged
TSSOM and was recovered aboard with al crew.
Iverson, Bos'n Jani, and Cadet Taylor for the
The TSSOM then continued with its voyage.
courage they displayed; and to al others aboard
in a fundamental
the TSSOM who were effective in their jobs and
Best regards:
respectful in their demeanor, I thank you for doing
responsibility of
Capt. Les Eadie
wel what you have been trained so wel to do.
all ships at sea: to
Master, TS STATE OF MAINE
Regards,
render assistance to
.........................................................
Dr. Wil iam J. Brennan, RADM (USMS)
President
mariners in need...
Captain Les Eadie '76 wrote the above email to
the RCC at Halifax regarding the involvement
Once again, the captain, crew, and cadets
"
of MMA's training ship in a medical emergency
aboard TSSOM proved their value at sea.
at sea. He said the training ship was about 10
or 11 miles past the fishing vessel when the cal
came through. The mate on watch, Jerry Thomas,
8
MARINER / 2013 - ISSUE 3
Mariner 2013.3.indd 8
11/22/13 11:19 AM