Hams Assist Ailing Sailboat Passengers

NEWINGTON, CT, Feb 7, 2002--Amateur Radio operators have once again been instrumental in getting prompt assistance to sailboat passengers needing emergency medical attention. On January 30, a woman diving in Mexican waters developed problems as a result of a dive and needed to get quickly to shore for treatment. On February 4, a woman aboard a sailboat in the Caribbean became seriously ill and had to be transported to shore for medical attention.

In the earlier incident, Marsha Stone, XE2/KF6TIQ, was scuba diving at 77 feet off Mexico when she encountered problems while surfacing. It's believed that she developed a pulmonary embolism as a result of the dive. She also was exhibiting possible neurological symptoms. Stone was aboard her sailboat She Wolf with three other passengers at the time, including her sister. Other amateurs sailing in the vicinity came to Stone's aid.

Members of the Intercontinental Net on 20 meters learned of the situation and offered to help. Bob Botik, K5SIV, in Austin, Texas, phone-patched Stone to her personal physician, who advised that she needed to get to facilities in Cabo San Lucas as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, aboard the sailing vessel Spirit Quest, Kathy Brownell, W6ATM, and her physician-husband Doug rendezvoused with Stone's vessel, and the couple was able to provide oxygen and comfort to the victim as well as transport to the Naval Landing Station at Socorro Island, Mexico, for an airlift.

Also rendering aid was Barb Campbell, XE2/KB0RIZ, a registered nurse aboard the sailing vessel Blue Chablis. Campbell's vessel reportedly stayed alongside Spirit Quest throughout the night to lend assistance when the victim's boat arrived at Socorro. The She Wolf and Spirit Quest maintained contact on marine VHF frequencies.

"This was a wonderful group effort of humans who had ham radio," Botik said.

Stone was transported to Cabo San Lucas the following day. Botik reported this week that he'd spoken to Stone and that her spirits were high. He said she had undergone treatment in a hyperbaric chamber, and, as of February 5, was able to stand and walk without assistance.

"She continues her recovery," he said.

Miranda Middleton and Benjamin Shaw, KG4OAQ. [Baggywrinkle.com Photos]

In this week's unrelated incident, a woman identified as Miranda Middleton--an Australian national in her mid-20s--became seriously ill while aboard the sailing vessel Baggywrinkle in the Caribbean. Skipper Benjamin Shaw, KG4OAQ, got on 20 meters to seek assistance. Dave Franke, WA5EZW--in Oklahoma on the Intercontinental Net--was unable to copy Shaw well, so he alerted Ed Petzolt, K1LNC, in South Florida to the incident via telephone.

Petzolt--who's no stranger to dealing with maritime emergencies via ham radio--was able to contact the US Coast Guard in Miami, which patched him through to its San Juan, Puerto Rico, station. The US Coast Guard in turn contacted Coast Guard officials in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Coast Guard detachments in the US and in the Grenadines came up on frequency, and Petzolt was able to relay information between the Coast Guard and Shaw's vessel as necessary.

Petzolt reported that Middleton was picked up by the St Vincent Coast Guard and was taken to Kingstown for treatment. "Score another one for ham radio!" he said. Petzolt said KG4BVR, W8LK and W3JMU and other stations stood by in case propagation changed or Petzolt was unable to continue. "Their primary role was to help keep the frequency clear of QRM," Petzolt said.

Shaw said that when Middleton arrived at the hospital, she was experiencing numbness and partial paralysis. He added that she was doing much better following treatment.

Shaw expressed his gratitude to the amateurs who aided in the Middleton's medical evacuation to St Vincent, and especially to Petzolt. "Miranda and I would like to extend a special thanks to Ed for his excellent help throughout the ordeal," Shaw said. "Not only did he assess and take control of the situation in a rapid and professional manner, but he also kept our spirits up as we communicated.

Shaw expressed the hope that he and Middleton could be back on their way to Trinidad "in a week or so." Shaw maintains a Web site and uses HF to access his e-mail while under way.

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