[PCW] Earthrace collides with Guatemalan fishing boat

Wed Mar 21 07:37:19 EST 2007

News release just received from Earthrace:

Press Release - 20th Mar 2007

For Immediate Release

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala - Earthrace collides with fishing vessel.

At 00:30 local time, on the 17th of March 2007, Earthrace was 
involved in a collision with a small fibreglass fishing skiff off the 
coast of Guatemala, one fisherman is still lost, presumably drowned, 
and a second fisherman seriously injured and in the hospital.

Earthrace was en-route from Panama to Acapulco, on the second leg of 
her attempt to set a new world record for a powerboat to 
circumnavigate the globe on Biodiesel.  She left Balboa Yacht Club in 
Panama on the evening of the 16th of March, but early in the morning 
of the 17th, a heat exchanger on the starboard engine developed a 
hairline crack that leaked increasing amounts of oil into the bilge. 
 The crew attempted to repair the crack using epoxy liquid metal, but 
it failed to stem the oil flow sufficiently to allow continuous 
engine operation.  The decision was made to voyage the remainder of 
the leg to Acapulco on just the port engine, and at reduced load, 
limiting speeds to around 16 knots.

At 23:58 on the 17th of March, Earthrace Captain Pete Bethune awoke 
Anthony Distefano, the Engineer aboard Earthrace, to commence his 
two-hour watch.  At 00:15, now the 18th of March, Ryan Heron, who had 
been struggling to sleep, got up from his pipe cot and had a short 
chat with Anthony, before returning to bed.

At 00:30, Distefano spotted a small white and red flashing light 
directly ahead.  According to maritime law, flashing lights are to be 
used as navigational aids, marking things such as channels.  Boats 
are marked with solid white, red and green lights only. Distefano, 
assumed the flashing light was on some form of beacon, and was 
checking the GPS system to locate which beacon he was looking at. 
 The small size of the bulb gave him the impression the light was 
still considerable distance away.  A few seconds later, Earthrace 
collided with a small fiberglass fishing vessel, approximately 5m in 
length.

Immediately following the accident, three fishermen were visible off 
the stern of Earthrace.  Carlos Contreras Cruz, the youngest of them, 
clambered onto the transom step of Earthrace and collapsed. 
 51-year-old Pedro Salazan Gonzalez remained struggling between the 
hull of the fishing vessel and the transom, and was also gasping for 
air.  Earthrace Skipper Pete Bethune jumped in and helped push the 
man up to the transom step, while Earthrace Engineer Anthony 
Distefano, pulled him from above.  Distefano had seen a third man in 
the water minutes earlier and had thrown him a life buoy to cling to. 
 Bethune swam over to the area but failed to locate him.  After 15 
minutes of searching from the water, the crew decided to start the 
port engine and circle the area to look for the third fisherman.

A number of Mayday calls were placed, initially on Channel 16, then 
several other frequencies, in an effort to get assistance with the 
search.  Requests were made in both English and Spanish.

Earthrace scoured the area for ninety minutes, before driving over to 
3 boats fishing nearby, and asking for assistance in the search.  The 
fishermen were unwilling to help.  Earthrace returned to the 
collision area and resumed the search for several more hours.

By now it was evident that the port propeller or driveshaft of 
Earthrace had been severely damaged in the collision.  Engine speed 
could not be taken over 800rpm, without inducing excessive 
vibrations.  With the starboard engine already out through the 
damaged heat exchanger, Earthrace now had a maximum speed of just 5 
knots.

On being rescued, Gonzales had complained of severe pains in his 
stomach and chest, and David Stark, the trained doctor aboard 
Earthrace had been monitoring his condition.  The blood pressure 
started at 104 / 60, but had steadily decreased as time passed.  A 
second visit was made over to the local fishing vessels, requesting 
them to take Gaonzalez, along with Dr. Stark, to a hospital where the 
man could receive full treatment.  The local fishermen again refused 
to help, despite being offered US$300 in cash, which were all the 
funds the crew had at the time.

At 05:20, the decision was made to commence the voyage to Puerto 
Quetzal, some 40 nautical miles South.  The team was hoping that one 
of the local boats, or perhaps a military vessel, could be encouraged 
to meet Earthrace part way, and then take the Gonzalez on to port at 
reasonable speed.  At 5 knots, it was going to take Earthrace 8 hours 
to reach port, by which time the crew believed the man would be dead.

By now, calls were increasingly made to several organizations, 
including the US Coastguard, in an effort to get local support for a 
medical evacuation.  Calls were also placed to the US embassy in 
Guatemala.

Gonzalez blood pressure which had started at 104 / 60, continued to 
decline, so the decision was made to administer saline solution 
intravenously.  On reaching 70 / 60 the crew believed the patient was 
dying before their eyes, and placed several more urgent phone calls 
saying in effect " this patient will die here if we do not have him 
evacuated".  Meanwhile Earthrace continued its painfully slow voyage 
towards Puerto Quetzal.

At 6:35am, crew starts the starboard engine in an effort to get more 
speed.  The engine oil starts to froth from water it is contaminated 
with, and within minutes much of the oil is lost into the bilge. 
The starboard engine was therefore turned off.

Bethune and Distefano then go into the water with masks to inspect 
for driveline damage.   Three of the four blades on the port 
propeller were bent.  Using a monkey wrench they bent the tips as 
straight as they could, but with only minimal impact.  This allows 
boat speed to be increased to 7 knots.

At 6:56am, an email is received informing Earthrace that the US 
Coastguard has made contact with Guatemalan authorities, but that no 
boats are immediately available to help with the evacuation.  At 
07:20 an email is received saying a US Lt. Colonel has been in 
contact with the Guatemalan Coastguard, and that they are en-route to 
provide assistance.  Then at 07:23, an email arrives saying a US Navy 
Vessel has left the Port of San Jose heading for Earthrace.

By now, over 2.5 litres of saline solution had been administered to 
Gonzalez, and he had started to make gradual improvements, despite 
suffering continual and severe pains in his chest and abdomen.

At 09:40 am, Earthrace crew spot a Naval Vessel heading towards them 
and make contact via VHF Channel 16.  At 10:05am, the Vessel arrives 
alongside, as does the Dolphin I, a small 15ft fishing boat.  The 
patient is transferred to the Dolphin I, which then left urgently to 
get the man to hospital.  Ironically, the crew aboard Dolphin I was 
the same that had refused to provide assistance the night before.

Gonzalez was taken to Hospital Privado Genesis near Guatemala City, 
and treated by Dr. Carlos Enrique Robles Mendez.  He was operated on, 
and found to have a perforated intestine, a perforated stomach, and a 
fractured sternum.  He is now in a stable condition and expected to 
recover.   Medical opinion is that the saline solution administered 
to the patient saved his life.

Earthrace was escorted into Puerto Quetzal and placed under military 
guard, with the crew confined to the boat and naval base, pending an 
investigation.  The crew of Earthrace is all safe and is being 
treated well by the local authorities. 

Given that this matter is now the subject of an official 
investigation, Earthrace crew has been advised to make no further 
comment at this time.