Family Rescued From Sailboat as Hurricane Gilma Approaches 925 Miles from Honolulu
As Hurricane Gilma unleashed its fury in the Pacific, a mother and her young daughter found themselves stranded on a sailboat, hundreds of miles from safety. Battling relentless waves and fierce winds, they sent out a desperate distress call that triggered a high-stakes rescue mission.
Storm Traps Sailboat
As Hurricane Gilma battered the Pacific, a sailboat found itself stranded, prompting a distress call to the Coast Guard in Hawaii. The vessel was positioned 925 miles east of Honolulu, setting off a rescue mission that spanned several days, involving both the Coast Guard and the US Navy.
Rescuers Discover Grim Scene
When rescuers finally reached the boat, they encountered a woman, her daughter, and their pets, along with the body of a man identified as the vessel’s master. The discovery underscored the severity of the storm’s impact on those aboard.
Emergency Alert Ignites Rescue Effort
A distress alert from the sailboat was received at 12:33 p.m. local time on Saturday, according to a Coast Guard news release. The signal set off an urgent rescue effort coordinated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Honolulu.
Lost at Sea
An airplane crew successfully located the French-flagged vessel Albroc and picked up a mayday call from the woman on board. The mother and her daughter, both French nationals, were in dire need of rescue.
Desperate Conditions
The 47-year-old woman reported that she, her 7-year-old daughter, a cat, and a tortoise were all stranded due to the storm. The situation grew more desperate as rough seas and high winds hampered rescue efforts.
Difficult Communication
Despite efforts, the crew on the plane couldn’t establish direct contact with the woman but saw her launch two flares. With 6-foot waves and 20 mph winds, the conditions were challenging, complicating the mission further.
Navy Steps In
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the Coast Guard requested additional assistance from Navy crews. Their involvement became crucial as the mission progressed.
Weather Blocks Rescue
On Sunday morning, an airplane crew spotted the woman and her daughter waving frantically from the sailboat. Despite this, all attempts to communicate by radio or drop message blocks proved unsuccessful.
Rescue Attempts Thwarted
Later that evening, a tanker crew approached the vessel, but Hurricane Gilma’s intense conditions made the rescue impossible. The worsening weather continued to pose significant challenges to the stranded family.
Navy Crew Initiates Rescue
At dawn on Monday, the USS William P. Lawrence, a guided-missile destroyer, reached the stranded sailboat, signaling the start of a critical rescue operation. With only a six-hour window due to the sailboat’s condition and the fierce weather, the mission demanded precision and speed.
Successful Rescue Amidst Peril
A small boat crew launched from the Navy ship, successfully making contact with the sailboat and securing the rescue of the woman and her daughter. The pair were brought safely aboard, marking a significant victory in the face of daunting conditions.
Safe Arrival in Honolulu
By Wednesday evening, the USS William P. Lawrence arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu, where the rescued mother and daughter received much-needed care. Their safe arrival concluded a harrowing ordeal that had stretched across days and miles.
Ongoing Investigations
The body of the man who perished on the sailboat could not be recovered due to the severe weather and the boat’s precarious position nearly 1,000 miles east of Honolulu. The cause of his death, as well as the circumstances that led them into the hurricane’s path, remain under investigation.
Gilma’s Threat Lingers
At the time of the rescue, Hurricane Gilma was about 480 miles east of the vessels, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph. The storm continued to pose a significant threat, later moving within 100 miles of the sailboat’s last known location with winds still reaching 60 mph.
Coordination and Teamwork Save Lives
The successful rescue was the result of meticulous planning and coordination by the search and rescue teams. Kevin Cooper, the mission coordinator, emphasized the collective effort that made the rescue possible, expressing gratitude that the Navy and supporting vessels were able to save the mother and daughter from Hurricane Gilma’s path.
Jody Lynn
Jody Lynn is an accomplished writer and content editor with many years of experience teaching writing, English literature, and screenwriting. She holds a master's degree in English from Ohio University. Jody lives in Bend, Oregon with her family where she enjoys outdoor adventures, live music, film, theater, and travel.