Ocean Signal EPIRB: A Beacon of Hope in the Atlantic's Fury

4 lives saved

Boating

Crash or collision

Normal conditions

Ocean

What happened?

Embarking on a daring Atlantic crossing, Norwegian couple Idun and Astrid, accompanied by their crew, set sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on their beloved Scanmar 33. Little did they anticipate the tumultuous ordeal that awaited them.

As the sun gracefully descended on the fourth day of their voyage, Idun helmed the vessel, gliding downwind with the sails reefed, making steady progress. In an instant, catastrophe struck. A resounding snap pierced the air, causing Idun’s heart to skip a beat. The mast, their sturdy ally, succumbed to an unthinkable breakage, lurching leeward in disbelief. Urgently, Idun’s desperate cries summoned the crew to the cockpit, where they beheld the mast, broken and menacingly thrashing against the hull, with waves as accomplices.

With a steely resolve, they swiftly freed entangled lines, ensuring unobstructed movement amidst the chaos. Amidst the uncertainty, they activated their trusted Ocean Signal EPIRB, uncertain if the hull bore the wounds of the mast’s assault. Diligently, they wielded a hacksaw to sever the remaining attachments, bidding farewell to their fallen mast as it disappeared into the depths. Engaging the engine, they charted a course back to the familiar shores of the Canaries.

With trembling hands, Idun grasped the satellite phone, their lifeline to the outside world. Their emergency contact had already been alerted by the Norwegian Coast Guard, and soon after, a call from Madrid inquired about their need for assistance. Having thoroughly inspected the hull to ensure its integrity, they relayed their message of self-sufficiency, canceling the distress signal that had initiated the rescue operation.

Relief washed over them as the EPIRB proved its worth, delivering the assurance they desperately sought. Idun’s emergency contact received a call, echoing the beacon’s successful transmission. A call from the rescue center in Madrid reached Idun, providing a fleeting moment of solace amidst the otherwise daunting circumstances.

Reflecting on their harrowing experience, Idun expressed deep gratitude the essential investment of an SOS device before embarking on their Atlantic odyssey. While they were fortunate not to require assistance on this occasion, their ill-fated encounter underscored the vital role of luck in the face of adversity.

Words of wisdom

Thank you note to the Ocean Signal team