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The
Officers, Directors and Members of
US SAILING
are
pleased to present the
ARTHUR B. HANSON RESCUE MEDAL
to
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David Pensky and Richard Holden
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for the rescue as follows:
On
the 8th of November 2005 David and Richard were underway in
David’s 55-foot trawler PURSUIT,
approximately eight miles off the coast of Boca Raton, Florida on a
voyage to Fort Lauderdale. The seas were near seven feet. At about 1:30
in the afternoon David spotted a person in the water holding on to an
ice chest and waving frantically. David and Richard skillfully
maneuvered Pursuit alongside
in the choppy seas and helped the victim on to the swim platform.
The
victim identified himself as Rogers Washington, the owner of a 22-foot
sportfishing boat that had capsized and sank nearly five hours earlier,
tossing himself and his crew in to the water. Nearly exhausted and
hypothermic, he relayed that sharks had approached him and crew member.
David contacted the Coast Guard who sent a helicopter to search for the
crew member and a boat to take Mr. Washington to medical attention,
where he fully recovered. The crew was found deceased a few days later.
The
effective lookout and quick actions of the crew of the motor vessel PURSUIT, combined with the skillfully executed man overboard
recovery effort resulted in the successful lifesaving rescue of a person
in need and reflected great credit upon themselves, while upholding the
best traditions of seamanship.
US
SAILING is proud to present the Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal in
recognition of their accomplishment.
Bill Stump
Chairman, Safety at Sea Committee
By Direction
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The Arthur B.
Hanson Rescue Medal was presented to
David Pensky
and Richard Holden
on May 7, 2006
at Annapolis Yacht
Club
by US SAILING
President Janet Baxter |
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DETAILS:
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Date
of Incident:
8 Nov 2005
Body of Water:
Atlantic, 8 miles off Boca Raton
Was this day or night:
day
Wave height:
7 ft
First Victims Name:
Rogers Washington
First Boat Make Model:
22 ft Cobia sport fishing boat
Was a PFD worn:
N
What type:
small
one under his arm
Rescuing Skipper 1:
David
Pensky
Rescuing1 Boat Make Model:
trawler
Rescuing1 Boat Name:
Pursuit
Rescuing1 Boat Length:
55
What was the nature of this incident:
MOB
What recovery method was used:
pulled
up under power
Did the victims boat lose site of the victim:
n
What search pattern was used:
none
Was electronic MOB function used to locate the victim: n
Was a rescue swimmer put in the water:
n
Did the victim have a strobe light or whistle:
y
Was the victim able to help in the recovery:
y
Was any injury sustained by the victim:
y
Was it used:
n
How much time did the victim spend in the water:
6 hours
Did a Mayday call go out:
y
Who responded:
USCG
Was the race sailed under ISAF regulations:
n
Nominators Name:
Gary Jobson
Can your story be published:
Y
Can you provide articles about this event:
Y
what position: fishing
Rescuing Crews Names: Richard Holden, pulled victim on board
What happened:
The 22 foot Cobia sank after being swamped at about 0830. Washington
treaded water and held on to a cooler top for more than six hours before
being spotted by the crew of Pursuit. They maneuvered alongside and
hoisted him aboard. The other crew member of the Cobia died and was
retrieved three days later. During the six hours in the water, sharks
approached the victim.
The
information is based on an article in the November 11 issue of the
Capital newspaper.
How
did victim help himself back onboard: Held on to a heaving line
How
did the victim get hoisted onto the deck: wave assisted
What
type hypothermia included: exhaustion, possible hypothermia
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