The problem is the two software programs we use, openCPN and Navionics disagree about when things happen and how much.
Between two and two-thirty this morning the vessels coming up through Whale Pass started coordinating with each other on VHF. About three, I started watching the vessels that broadcast AIS on openCPN.
The final burst of vessels came through around three-thirty. I would have expected that was either slack water (no current in either direction) or the current had started flowing the other way, but it was more than half before they first vessel heading the other way entered the pass.
I could have called to ask about current strengths, but I wanted Jennifer to sleep.
Around 5:30, the coast guard started a dialogue with a vessel in distress.
We can only hear the coast guard. The vessel in distress is too far away for us to hear.
The coast guard: you’re taking on water. Good copy.
How many persons on board and what is your GPS location?
Zero four persons on board. Good copy.
Your taking on water. Good copy.
What is your GPS location?
Understood. You’re taking on water, what is your GPS location.
Then a few seconds of silence.
The coast guard reads back the lat and long. It is four degrees west of us and one degree south.
Good copy.
Do you have personal floatation devices and are all persons wearing personal flotation devices.
I don’t know whether all was calm on the vessel, or whether it was mayhem. At this time I don’t know whether this is a pro forma call to the coast guard or whether the vessel is in danger of sinking.
There are a few more back and forths. The coastie isn’t budging until he gets all the info he needs.
Do you have a phone number?
The coastie responds, good copy, which to me means no. I expect they have a satellite phone, but they are such a hassle that the cost guard agrees not to bother with it.
Finally, the coast guard says his words, and they pan-pan rather that mayday.
Pan-pan pan-pan this is the United States Coast Guard sector Anchorage, United States Coast sector Anchorage. At 13.20 universal coordinated time, 05.20 Alaska daylight time a vessel at coordinates, then he reads them, had reported taking on water with 04 persons on board.
All vessels keep a look out for this vessel and render assistance.
We hear the coast guard speak with one vessel, and after a few moments, the Coast Guard names a second vessel and says you are on site?
Then, good copy.
Then the coast guard asks for a phone number, followed by a few moments of silence and good copy.
Then several more moments followed by the vessel has sank. A few more moments, can you confirm there are zero four persons in the skiff?
After a few more minutes, the official message that ends with all persons have been safely recovered.
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*It took days to figure out why Prince’s Raspberry Beret was playing though my mind.
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