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

wave decor
1 vite salvate
Barcheggio
Incidente o collisione
Condizioni normali
Oceano
posizione di salvataggio
8G84J4C6+36 36.620198040789°N, 22.110562068359°E
squadra di salvataggio
Guardia costiera
durata del salvataggio
240

cosa è successo?

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.

parole di saggezza

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.

grazie nota al team di ocean Signal

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