Lost at Sea: How My Emergency Beacon Led to a Midnight Rescue in Greece

Τι συνέβη;

In the dead of night, while sailing through the Gulf of Messinia, Greece, my boat struck an unseen underwater object. The impact was catastrophic. Within moments, I realized my vessel was crippled and rapidly taking on water.

With no time to hesitate, I grabbed the emergency Ocean Signal rescueME EPIRB1 beacon and jumped into the dinghy. As I deployed the beacon, I also managed to send out a MAYDAY call to emergency services. Then, I could do nothing but wait, hoping help would arrive in time.

The hours dragged on as I clung to the dinghy, drifting in the dark waters. Every sound, every movement in the distance, made my heart race. At 1:40 AM, I spotted the towering silhouette of a cargo ship, FADIQ, approaching. Relief washed over me as the crew pulled me from the water. Soon after, a vessel from the Hellenic Coastguard arrived, taking over and transporting me safely to the Port of Kalamata.

After a long, gruelling night, I finally reached a hospital, where doctors examined me. Miraculously, I had escaped unscathed. Though the experience was harrowing, I am forever grateful for the swift response of the authorities and the bravery of the rescue teams who ensured I made it back to shore alive.

Λέξεις σοφίας

Training and preparation are the keys to survival.

Attend the survival at sea training and keep a loaded up to date grab bag handy. Things change very quickly.

Σας ευχαριστούμε τη σημείωση στην ομάδα σήματος των ωκεανών

A huge thanks to the Hellenic Coast Guard, and my Ocean Signal EPIRB.