America's Cup family pay tribute from Dubai to Pike River miners

by Richard Gladwell on 27 Nov 2010
Just over a week ago, 29 miners perished in an explosion in the Pike River coal mine, near Greymouth on New Zealand's picturesque West Coast.

In Dubai, before the start of Semi Finals racing in the Louis Vuitton Trophy, four Emirates Team New Zealand chase boats packed with New Zealanders took part in a moving ceremony to commemorate the miners lost at Pike River mine. ETNZ managing director Grant Dalton placed a wreath in the sea off Dubai marina. Dalton said the ceremony seemed a fitting way to provide a focus for New Zealanders who had watched the tragedy unfold from afar.

All sailors express their condolences to all those who lost friends, fathers, sons or brothers in the Pike River mining disaster, which has had the whole of New Zealand on tenterhooks for a week until a second blast on Wednesday afternoon, which removed all hope that some had survived

All were hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.

On occasions like this, words cannot really express one's emotions and heartache for all involved. But the country has stood as one.

Like sailors going sea, mining does have its risks, and in spite of all the safety checks and measures, sometimes an unfortunate combination of circumstances comes together, and your time is sadly up. Our thoughts go to those who remain and we admire your courage.

We also salute those who have been leading and involved in the rescue attempts. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Sometimes it takes real adversity to show humanity at its best, and we have certainly seen that displayed by the people of the West Coast, this week. Kia Kaha (Stay strong - for our international readers).

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