On the 10th of November 2006 the J/22 Class was participating in a circuit regatta held by the Houston Yacht Club on Galveston Bay.  The winds were 15-20 knots, the chop was two to three feet, the air and water temperatures were in the 50s.  Hanneman and Luppens were serving as judges, using a 25-powerboat as their platform.

From a distance of about 300 yards, Hanneman noticed an object in the water that seemed out of place.  Upon closer inspection, they determined that it was a capsized jon boat and that people were struggling in the cold water.

It appeared to Hanneman and Luppens that the two adults and two children were having difficulty righting their vessel, and after notifying the Race Committee they pulled the victims from the water and transported them to safety ashore.  The jon boat was later recovered.

The effective lookout and quick actions of Hanneman and Luppens, combined with their successfully executed man overboard recovery efforts resulted in the rescue of four soles 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 Medal in recognition of their accomplishment.

Date of Incident: 11/10/2006
Event Name: J22 Circuit Regatta
Sponsoring Yacht Club: Houston Yacht Club
Event City: Shoreacres
Event State: TX
Body of Water: Galveston Bay
Was this day or night: Day (early afternoon)
Air temperature: 55
Water temperature: 57
Wind speed: 18
Wave height: 2
First Victims Name: Unknown
First Boat Length: ~14'
First Boat Make Model: aluminum jonboat w/ deckhouse
Was a PFD worn: adults N, children yes
What type1: 3
What type2: 3
Rescuing Skipper 1: Richard Hanneman and Chris Luppens
Rescuing Boat Make Model: Mako 25
Rescuing Boat Name: Judges boat
Rescuing Boat Length: 25
What was the nature of this incident: Overturned boat
What recovery method was used: Power boat
Did the victims boat lose site of the victim: No - overturned
What search pattern was used: Direct visual about 300 yards
Was electronic MOB function used to locate the victim: NO
Was a rescue swimmer put in the water: N
Did the victim have a strobe light or whistle: N
What color clothes were visible above the water: dark
Was the victim able to help in the recovery: yes
Was any injury sustained by the victim: mild hypothermia
Was a Lifesling aboard: N
How much time did the victim spend in the water: 8-15 minutes
Did a Mayday call go out: Notified race committee
Who responded: Judges boat was able to handle alone.
Nominators Name: James S Tyson
Can your story be published: Y
Can you provide articles about this event: N
What happened: As Dick Hanneman and Chris Luppens, both U.S. Sailing Judges in Texas, were out on the water keeping the J22s honest, Dick spotted something in the water looking like a large, odd-shaped log. When they made their way over to it, they discovered it was 4 people next to an overturned boat. The two pulled the two male children and two male adults onboard and took them to the yacht club.
How did the victim get hoisted onto the deck: Hoisted over transom
What type hypothermia included: mild