Two Fijians honoured for rescuing international cruising sailors

by Nancy Knudsen on 26 Sep 2010 In this, the Year of the Seafarer, the Fijian Government has made two awards for valorous conduct for the rescue of international cruising sailors in the vicinity of Fiji. The awards were made at the Suva Yacht Club on Maritime Day by the Minister for Transport Timoci Natuva, in respect of two separate incidents.

First Rescue:
The International Maritime Organisation Bravery Award went to James Fanifau – a fourth engineer, who rescued one American and one New Zealander showing exceptional bravery. Here's the story:

On May 22 last year, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) was contacted by the United States Coast Guard and informed that a 16-metre yacht, Sumatra II, a 52ft Trintella, with two people on board, skipper and owner Dr. Jerry Morgan from Santa Rosa, California, and New Zealander Stewart McCreadie, had activated their US registered 406 MHz distress beacon.

The yacht was approximately 350 nautical miles east of Brisbane, was taking on water and sinking, owing to keel damage which had previously been assessed as only superficial. RCC Australia made contact via an onboard satellite phone and established contact with the two men. They were advised to remain with the yacht as long as possible and be prepared to evacuate the yacht when required.

RCC Australia co-ordinated five fixed wing aircraft to assist in locating the yacht's position, and a broadcast to shipping was issued with the merchant vessel Scarlett Lucy responding and diverting to the distress position.

The weather conditions in the area were very poor with rough seas, up to eight metres and low visibility. The distance offshore meant that a rescue helicopter could not be utilised.

When Fanifau's ship, the MV Scarlett Lucy, arrived on the scene, they faced an enormous task of rescuing the two men.

While other crew members felt reluctant in their attempt to rescue the survivors, brave Mr Fanifau placed himself in great danger by going over the side into very rough seas to help the two exhausted elderly survivors of the Sumatra II.

Skipper Jerry Morgan had drifted in the water for some 45 minutes when Mr Fanifau utilised the life rings to attempt to bring him on board.

It took persistence and tremendous bravery for him to eventually rescue the man from the water.

His mother Ilisapeci Isimeli received the award on his behalf.

Second Rescue:
Meanwhile - the Seafarer of the Year award went to the Captain and crew of the Tui Tai Adventure Cruise – for a rescue operation they conducted during Cyclone Tomas in March this year.

The Captain Angus Hill and his crew Owen Whippy, Isoa Vosaniyavu, Marika Madden and Esala Naitani had rescued two crew members of a yacht which was swept ashore during the strong winds.

The story of this rescue is told in the video below: