Search and Rescue - Scubaboard Staff Member - Northernone - Missing in Cozumel

[Akimbo]

If he's floating it appears he's headed to Cuba or straight toward the middle of the Gulf according to the animated current map.

If so, he's heading toward the Gulf of Mexico oil patch where there are a lot of platforms plus the boat and chopper traffic to support them. USCG alerts will be important for the oil and fishing fleets in those waters.

 

[Akimbo]

Does anyone know what kind of DSMB Cameron has? A buoy with SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) Radar reflective tape would dramatically extend the range he could be detected -- providing people know to monitor their Radar. @Captain Tim and I did some tests on the DAN 6' Signaling Sausage. To my great surprise, he could easily spot it at over 5 miles/8 KM on his radar aboard a 42' Newton.

Unfortunately they are bulkier than most of us like to carry; a compromise I am reconsidering at this moment.

 

[Wookie]

@Wookie

Are you, or anyone else, aware of any aviation ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) operations in the gulf area? They cover a lot of area and fly relatively low and slow.

It’s all mine hunting exercises this month. Ends Wednesday, but the weather may not allow them to fly today.

 

[CuzzA]

If so, he's heading toward the Gulf of Mexico oil patch where there are a lot platforms plus the boat and chopper traffic to support them. USCG alerts will be important for the oil and fishing fleets in those waters.

Indeed, a little colder water too though. I just hope the SAR teams understand how far he could be by now.

When you click on that interactive link I posted it gives you the estimated speed of the current wherever you click on the map. Where he was it was reading at 1 meter per second. That's pretty quick.

IIRC, for example, the two S. Florida boys who died boating last year had their boat found two days after the incident up by the Carolinas.

 

[Ana]

I'm sure everyone is at the edge by now, not being directly involved in the search but extremely engaged mentally becomes frustrating. I never interacted with him, but descriptions I read of him could very well described any of my 2 sons. I've been thinking of him and his family non stop since the Sunday noon when I read the first post. We all worry differently, not being able to be there trying to look until you can't see anymore, or maybe just fueling the vessels that will be used in the search, has the potential to make you feel useless ... Even more if religion is not your thing.. I envy people that can get busy praying. I just keep looking at wind/currents charts and get lost in calculations for where should they search.

 

[tursiops]

A location where a current moves in a circular motion would be a cycle.

Gyre. Not cycle. Not to minimize the issue here, but to help people that are looking for information...it helps to use the correct words in searches..

 

[CuzzA]

Gyre. Not circle.

I think the appropriate term would be What is an eddy?

 

[tursiops]

I think the appropriate term would be What is an eddy?

Yes, that is more appropriate in this situation. And it is helpful for the searchers, if they use that information. The location of the eddy is well-known from computer models and satellite images, so they know where to search. A drifting object might be caught up in the eddy, but it also might be in the Loop Current surrounding (and making) the eddy, in which case one needs to search downstream in the Loop Current.

 

[Flutter]

Although we can not direct or command God, I believe He still hears & He still cares. I have seen miracles happen. Those who pray; please continue to pray - that Cameron be rescued alive soon. The efforts going out here are amazing.

 

[Pedro Burrito]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

I moved the PLB discussion to here: PLBs Can Save Your Life

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