Page 21 - MIN JUS 21 JULY 2015

Station Ship in the

West supports sailing
SHIP in DISTRESS

Zr.Ms. Van Amstel carries Belgian sailboat Mama
Lucie to Aruba

2 LOCAL ON July 18, the Zr. Ms. Amstel sailing 25 miles west from Aruba
provided support to the sailboat called Mama Lucie at the request
of the Caribbean Coast Guard. This sailing vessel, was located
by the Coast Guard patrol aircraft Dash 8 after a distress call. It
departed from St. Maarten a month ago. The two crew members
were very tired and happy with the help received.

East Wind
Due to the persistent east wind Mama Lucie could not stay on
track and suffered damage to the helm, lights and rigging. The
sail broke and the boom broke off. The engine was not strong
enough to fight the waves and get the boat to land.

At the moment that Zr.Ms. Amstel arrived to help Mama Lucie
the boat had already been towed for three days by catamaran
Nera. However, because of the weather and limited drag force
it would still take more than a day before the two boats could
arrive in Aruba. In addition, the Nera was damaged by dragging
the Mama Lucie vessel. Zr.Ms. Amstel’s help was therefore very
welcome.

Plight
Zr. Ms. Van Amstel provided support by sending a French-
speaking crew in a RHIB to the distressed ship. After the crew of
the Mama Lucie was reassured and the situation was explained
to them Nera loosened them and continued its way to Aruba.
Subsequently, Zr. Ms. Van Amstel brought a towing line and
dragged Mama Lucie to Aruba. The commander KLTZ Dick van
der Neut said: “I’m glad we took the two crew members of the
Mama Lucie out of their plight and that we were able to help thus
giving substance to the Search and Rescue task of the Caribbean
station ship.”

Tuesday, July 21 2015 - ARUBA TRAVELLER