The Coast Guard and the Vallejo Ferry, Intintoli, rescued 33 people from the motor vessel Farallones, an 85-foot sea scout training vessel owned by the Sea Scouts, after it started taking on water in Suisun Bay (a portion of San Francisco Bay), June 30, 2009. The vessel had 27 kids and six adults aboard the vessel.
"Kids", however, is not the right word for Sea Scouts - at least not these Sea Scouts. It is reported that they all jumped into action and behaved with extraordinary professionalism. Ultimately they saved their ship from sinking. Wow.
Photo: The training vessel Farallones
Coast Guard Stations Rio Vista and Vallejo rescue crews disembarked the Sea Scouts and transferred them to the passenger ferry Intintoli, which took them to the ferry terminal in Vallejo.
The Intintoli is one of the Vallejo Bay Link ferries.
A Coast Guard video of the rescue was made by Air Station San Francisco and can be seen here.
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2 comments:
From a Sea Scout in Southern California, I wish the Fallarones best of luck with repairing their ship in time for a full schedule of summer activites.
This is not the first time Sea Scouts have acted with professionalism in face of possible danger. A Sea Scout vessel began taking on water in the channel between Orange County and Catalina Island, and they commenced with their emergency procedures. Two of the Scouts prepared and sent a Mayday message on channel 16. The Coast Guard believed the Mayday to be a hoax at first because they scouts were so calm and collected.
The boat could not be saved, sinking in over 1000 feet of water, but all the Sea Scouts were safely rescued.
Nothing will ever prepare oneself to be 100% safe on the sea. But with proper training, good leaders, and a healthy respect for the ocean, our young adults can learn a lifetime of valuable lessons in the Sea Scout program.
Whether they sail on 85 foot boats in the SF bay, to 50 foot sail boats in southern california, to operating dive boats in Miami, Sea Scouts offer youth, girls and guys, from any walk of life, the opportunity to test themselves.
There is no better place to learn about yourself then when you're on a boat, with a six or seven peers and a few adult leaders, and you all strike out into the ocean and all you have to rely upon is the scouts beside you...and your boat.
As a former Sea Scout, onboard the Sea Scout Ship Reliance, based at San Francisco’s. Aquatic Park back in the 60's; and a former Coast Guard Aux member of Richmond flotilla 025 I salute the captain and crew of the SSS Farallones for a job well done. The training I received when I was a member of the SSS Reliance crew helped me become a safe and contentious boater and left me prepared to deal with most on-the-water emergencies. I hope the Farallones is not lost.
Hank Gray
manager@giftkone.com
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