Juice Tanker Crew Saves Boater From Burning Yacht Sinking In Atlantic Ocean

A sailor was rescued in the Atlantic Ocean, 420 miles north of Puerto Rico, on December 6, 2024 (Friday) after his yacht caught fire and began sinking.

The U.S. Coast Guard and the crew of the tanker ship Orange Ocean carried out the rescue.

The boater, 53-year-old Kirill Vladimirovich Mikhaylov, a resident of St. Kitts and Nevis, was sailing solo on his 46-foot yacht Poesterd. He was travelling from Bermuda to St. Maarten when his vessel encountered trouble.

An unregistered Emergency Positioning Radio Beacon (EPIRB) signal alerted the Coast Guard Sector San Juan Command Center early Friday morning.

The watchstanders recognised the potential emergency and sent out alerts to nearby vessels through an Enhanced Group Calling system. They also issued a call for assistance using the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) program.

The Orange Ocean, a 557-foot fruit juice tanker flagged in Liberia, responded immediately. The tanker, managed by Swiss-based Atlanship S.A., diverted to the location of the distress signal.

When the tanker arrived at the area, its crew found the Poesterd engulfed in flames and rapidly sinking. Acting quickly, the tanker’s crew launched their rescue boat and safely brought Mikhaylov aboard.

Fortunately, he was unharmed in the ordeal. The Orange Ocean is currently transporting him to a safer place, though the exact location has not yet been decided.

Coast Guard officials praised the teamwork and quick response that made this rescue possible. They credited the EPIRB signal for alerting rescuers to Mikhaylov’s location and praised the Orange Ocean crew for their decisive actions.

“The coordination between Coast Guard watchstanders and the Orange Ocean crew was critical in saving this boater’s life,” said a Coast Guard spokesperson.

They also discussed the importance of carrying proper emergency equipment like EPIRBs when sailing.

The AMVER program, created in 1958, is essential for global maritime safety. Sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, the program allows participating vessels to assist in emergencies.

Commercial ships over 1,000 gross tons on voyages longer than 24 hours are encouraged to enrol, but private yachts and research vessels can also participate.

The Orange Ocean built in 2014, specialises in transporting refrigerated fruit juices. Its crew’s swift response is a testament to the importance of the AMVER network in saving lives at sea.

Reference: U.S. Coast Guard