Atlantic search for missing UK yacht Cheeki Rafiki ends

[Twynkle]

Cheeki Rafiki
There's a British registered yacht missing somewhere mid-Atlantic with 4 men on board.
Having spotted an upturned hull, sea conditions were bad and the US Coast Guard ended a brief search.

The Friends and Families of the four men are desperate - there was a life-raft on board, the guys are all experienced sailors and all who know them say they will be safe in the raft - and they need to be found.
Friends in Southampton are certain that they will be able to survive for some time.

It would be really good if can you use your twitter account with #cheekirafiki to express concern so that we can raise awareness and hope that the USCG will renew their efforts to find the raft.
Rosie
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27462450
https://twitter.com/search?src=typd&q=%23cheekirafiki

Edited later - BBC now 'on the case' with members of the sailing community convinced that the men will still be alive.
Petition on twitter:
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/u-s-coastguard-restart-the-search-for-the-missing-cheeki-rafiki-crew-members

[Adam Hodson]

I can't believe they would just end it.

[Twynkle]

Thanks to everyone involved - the US coast guard have agreed to re-instate their search, this is being co-ordinated from Boston, MA.

RMS Queen Mary 2 is not that far off...Being a tall ship she might be in an ideal position to join the small yachts in the search!

at 2014-05-17 08:04:47 (UTC)
She was at:
Lat/Lon: 40.43417 / -70.2045
Speed/Course: 20.9 kn / 89°

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-70.2045/centery:40.43417/zoom:8/oldmmsi:310627000/olddate:lastknown/_:585430f6fd023eeba9ce0d89dcbf92ce

=== LATEST SEARCH INFORMATION ===

We are being passed the search information sent to vessels in the area, if you know anyone in the area then please ask to assist.

USCG have advised as follows:

There are two possible search areas.
South position: 37-36N 050-14W
North Position: 38-37N 048-48W

END



 

[Adam Hodson]

Great news. It would be great if QM2 helped join the search

[June Ingram]

https://www.facebook.com/SteamshipHistoricalSociety?ref=stream

Link shared by The Steamship Historical Society of America

[Twynkle]

Thankfully, the US Coast Guard are currently doing an Air Sea rescue flight.

'Coast Guard flight 2002 takes off from Air Station Elizabeth City to head towards the search area for Cheeki Rafiki. It is anticipated that it will arrive on scene to begin its search within the next two hours'

[Twynkle]

Update

In addition to quite a sizeable US task-force, today the Ministry of Defence have sent a second Hercules plane to join in the search. Just wish Nimrods were still deployable.
Catamaran Malisi  en route for UK has diverted and currently along with three dolphins, they are searching the grid
Sir Richard Branson and Ben Fogle have also joined MPs et al, in raising awareness
Hopefully, in time there will be more news.

[Rob Lightbody]

Hope they find them safe.

The media's imagination has not been captured in the same way by the two fishermen missing off the coast of Scotland just now.

[Twynkle]

Hope they find them safe.

The media's imagination has not been captured in the same way by the two fishermen missing off the coast of Scotland just now.

Oh Rob - please can you post more info here….
Is there a twitter feed and Facebook page dedicated to the 'event?
How long ago and whereabouts did it happen etc
Local Press, 'Nautica'l clubs, BBC etc etc need to be poked, as do the MPs and local 'famous' peopl
(There is now a satellite company Tomnod that are involved with the Atlantic search)
So sorry to be ignorant - no time now, but will try to look online for more later
Just a thought - is QV likely to be passing by?
R

[Twynkle]

Hi Rob

About the missing fishermen
http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/angus-the-mearns/family-face-anxious-wait-for-news-of-missing-gourdon-fishermen-1.380623

Cheeki Rafiki
The World Cruising Club site is updating with details regularly
http://www.worldcruising.com/newsarticle.aspx?page=S635362781207804627&ArchiveID=1&CategoryID=190&ItemID=231766&src=

The following was posted on the Cheeki Rafiki facebook
'We have been in contact with Tomnod and they have confirmed they are actively tasking the satellites to the search area and hope to be able to release a campaign soon.
This means you could help with the search from your computer!
We will keep you all posted when this campaign is live.'

SKY TV are doing special programmes at 18.30 hrs and 20.30 hrs UTC

[cunardqueen]

   I can't believe they would just end it. 

Sadly we dont know the full facts, but was there a may day issued ? what about the signals from the life rafts that activate when they hit the water. But then again its the Atlantic and how long could you survive in the water.... in the rafts its another matter
But surely we should be guided by the US Coastguard ?

[Bruce Nicholls]

Sadly we dont know the full facts, but was there a may day issued ? what about the signals from the life rafts that activate when they hit the water. But then again its the Atlantic and how long could you survive in the water.... in the rafts its another matter
But surely we should be guided by the US Coastguard ?

Remember Toy Bulimore? Trapped in his capsized yacht in the Southern Ocean. Fortunately for him they kept looking!

[Twynkle]

Hi Rob

The Fishermen are found!!
Just as the search was being stood down.

Rosie

[Twynkle]

Remember Toy Bulimore? Trapped in his capsized yacht in the Southern Ocean. Fortunately for him they kept looking!

He's been on the TV many times in the past few days.
Trouble is,  the sea is only 15C where a crew member from the catamaran Malisi has see some flotsam (White wood, new without any barnacles etc, currently needing owners to identify it . They are pretty sure it's from the Yacht, the position being identical to the co-ordinates.
Tony Bullimore was south, and  where it was much warmer.
Heard on bbc that if sea's not as cold, it's possible to survive in Life-raft for 133 days.

[Adam Hodson]

Hi Rob

The Fishermen are found!!
Just as the search was being stood down.

Rosie

Great news!