From the ARRL website:
Maritime Mobile Service Network Responds to Mayday Call from Stranded Vessel
The crew of a sailing vessel that foundered on a reef in the South Pacific in early May was safely rescued, thanks in part to the alert ear of Maritime Mobile Service Network (MMSN) member Russell Taylor, AI6GV, of San Marcos, California. On May 3, Taylor monitored a “Mayday” call on 14.300 MHz from the Alaska-based Morning Dove, at the time some 200 miles northeast of French Polynesia. The vessel’s captain, Bruce Moroney, KL3RK, reported that the 46-foot ketch, which had been en route from Apataki Atoll to Rangiroa — a passage of about 80 miles, had become stuck on a reef and was unable to move. The crew transmitted the Mayday distress call after the vessel began taking on water.
“We could see reef from the cockpit, we were lodged on a reef,” Moroney explained afterward to Latitude 38. “I tried to reverse with no effect. Within 10 minutes conditions became extreme.” Moroney said the ketch’s hull and diesel fuel tank breached. An emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) was activated, and a Mayday put out. “Within 15 minutes the radios were underwater,” Moroney said.
Taylor apprised the US Coast Guard of the situation and of the vessel’s position. The French Navy subsequently dispatched a helicopter to the area within about 6 hours of the incident, airlifting the four unharmed crew members to safety. Efforts were reported under way to retrieve the grounded vessel. The Coast Guard later called Taylor, telling him that if he had not monitored the Mayday, the consequences could have been devastating for the crew.
Assisting in the event were long-time net member William Sturridge, KI4MMZ, in Florida and his friend Peter Mott, ZL1PWM, in New Zealand who relayed information.
The Maritime Mobile Service Network monitors 14.300 MHz with operators on scheduled shifts from 1700 to 0300 UTC.
Great story and incredible luck for the sailors - another case of geeks volunteering their time to help save lives.
