THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, May 14, 1996 TAG: 9605140274
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B11 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: COAST GUARD LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
Crew members aboard the 270-foot Portsmouth-based Coast Guard cutter Northland rescued three sailors 30 miles north of Haiti when their sailboat lost its mast in heavy seas.
The three were delivering the 41-foot sloop Y-Kont from St. Louis to St. Lucia in the southeastern Caribbean when strong winds dismasted the boat about 3 a.m. Saturday. The vessel also lost the use of its engine.
The Y-Kont set off its satellite emergency position radio beacon, which was picked up by the Coast Guard in Miami. The Northland was diverted from its Haitian patrol and located the sailboat about 1 p.m. Saturday.
While crew members from the cutter attempted repairs, unclogging fuel lines and fuel filters, the Northland took the vessel in tow. The Y-Kont was able to proceed under its own power for a short time but had to be towed again when its engine stalled.
It was taken to Great Inagua in the Bahamas Monday. Aboard were Kenley Griffith of South Africa; Joseph Mellen of Omaha, Neb.; and Victoria Smith of the United Kingdom.
KEYWORDS: RESCUE ACCIDENT BOAT by CNB