ANTIGUA & BARBUDA SEARCH AND RESCUE

On Sunday 21 March, 2010 at 9:45 pm ABSAR Rescue 1 was out at the finish line meeting “Vision of Cornwall” which was to be the next boat to finish the Woodvale Challenge Trans-Atlantic Rowing Race.  When “Vision of Cornwall” did not arrive at the finish area at the time expected, ABSAR Rescue 1 began calling them on the VHF without success.  A search of the area was begun and ABSAR Rescue 1 proceeded to the last know position for the vessel, which was east of Willoughby Bay.  At 10:34 pm a white strobe light was seen in the vicinity of Mamora Bay entrance.  ABSAR Rescue 1 proceeded to investigate the strobe light and found the crew of “Vision of Cornwall” seated on the bottom of their capsized vessel waiving their EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) and oars to attract attention.  They had gone aground on the reef near the entrance of Mamora Bay which caused their vessel to capsize.  Both crew men were rescued with only minor injuries, and their vessel towed into the dock at the St. James’ Club at Mamora Bay.