THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511090352
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JACK DORSEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
Seven seasick men abandoned their storm-tossed 52-foot sailboat early Wednesday 350 miles east of Cape Hatteras for the safety of a Coast Guard helicopter and the relatively steady deck of a Navy aircraft carrier.
Four of the men were flown to Elizabeth City, where they received medical treatment at a civilian hospital and were then released.
The remaining three were kept overnight aboard the Norfolk-based carrier Enterprise and are to be flown ashore today, either to Elizabeth City or to the Norfolk Naval Air Station.
Those who were kept aboard the Enterprise were identified as Robert Vinci, 42, of Stamford, Conn., and Stanley Rubenzaho, 69, and Chris Jardin, 24, both of Irvington, N.Y.
The four who were taken ashore included the captain of the boat, Mike Sewell, 42, of South Padre Island, Texas, and passengers Edwin Krumeich, 41, of Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., James Saettele, 55, of St. Louis and Norman Ness, 51, of Montreal.
``Everything went very smoothly. But it could have had a different result,'' said Capt. Richard J. Naughton, commanding officer of the Enterprise.
``They can always buy another boat, but not another life.''
Naughton, speaking by satellite telephone shortly after the all-day rescue, praised the crew of a Coast Guard H-60 helicopter from Elizabeth City. Two helicopters from the carrier participated by standing by the scene in case they were needed.
Coast Guard officials at 5th District headquarters in Portsmouth said the rescue began early Wednesday morning when the sailboat Night Sound sent a ``Mayday'' radio message that was picked up by a passing Coast Guard Falcon jet.
The twin-masted Night Sound left Stanford, Conn., last week, stopped overnight at Long Island, N.Y., and was headed for Bermuda, said Naughton.
The crew told the Coast Guard the sailboat had been tossed by 15- to 20-foot seas and up to 60 knots of wind by a passing cold front.
Four of the people on board were incapacitated and all seven were planning to abandon ship, they said.
``They got beat up pretty good,'' said Naughton, ``and they were a little nervous when their deck started working (loose).''
A Coast Guard C-130 fixed-wing aircraft located the sailboat initially and began orbiting until the H-60 helicopter could make the 375-mile trip from Elizabeth City.
``We broke off what we were doing,'' said Naughton, ``and headed at best speed south toward them to provide the Coast Guard helo a place to land and refuel on their way out there.''
The H-60 Jayhawk helicopter was operating at about its maximum range in order to reach the men. Normally, it is limited to a 300-mile range.
The Enterprise got to within 150 miles of the sailboat, or about 200 miles from the Atlantic coast.
Once all seven men were aboard the Enterprise, they were given dry clothing, food and beverages.
``They are OK, but a little shook up,'' said Naughton. ``The three we are keeping overnight seemed a little more dehydrated than the other four.''
Naughton said it was distressing to have to leave the sailboat at sea.
``It's a beautiful boat,'' he said, of the fiberglass vessel.
The Enterprise, which left Norfolk Monday, is conducting training operations off the Virginia coast. It is scheduled to return in a week. ILLUSTRATION: [Color photo appeared on page B1.]
RESCUE AT SEA
CATHY THOMAS
Seven seamen were rescued from a 52-foot sailboat Wednesday 350
miles east of Cape Hatteras. Four of the men were flown to Elizabeth
City, where they received treatment. The remaining three were kept
overnight aboard the carrier Enterprise. Above, a helicopter lowers
a swimmer to rescue the last person plucked from the sailboat.
Story, B3
KEYWORDS: RESCUE by CNB