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Japan Coast Guard via EPA
The Japanese Coast Guard rescues British adventurer Sarah Outen from her boat Gulliver about 500 miles east off Japan's northeastern coast, Friday.
A solo Pacific rower caught in a tropical storm for 30 hours was rescued Friday, her support team said on her website, while another stricken solo oarsman waited for help.
British rower Sarah Outen, 27, said her 23-foot boat, named Gulliver, had been "capsizing, capsizing, capsizing" in the "merciless" storm, leaving her "exhausted," in a phone message that was posted on the Internet.
"After, I don't know, 32 hours, 30-something hours, of waiting in the roughest, most frightening weather I've ever been in, I'm very happy to say we're close to being taken out of here," she said, shortly before being picked up by a Japanese Coast Guard vessel.
"I say we, but actually it will just be me, I think, because Gulliver will probably have to stay afloat and look after himself for a while because the seas are currently too rough to be able to pick him up onto the boat," she added.
Japan Coast Guard via EPA
Sarah Outen, 27, center, was rescued after her boat got damaged by a tropical storm.
Japanese Coast Guard had been "wonderful" and "very supportive," she added, also thanking her team and others who offered messages of encouragement that she would get to a "happier, better place."
A message posted on her website a short time later said that "Sarah is now safe aboard the recovery vessel."
Solo Pacific rower hopes for rescue after boat is rolled by tropical storm
Outen's Pacific row was one leg of a round-the-world journey by bicycle, rowing boat and kayak that started on April 1 last year.
Japan Coast Guard via EPA
Sarah Outen's abandoned boat Gulliver floats in front of a ship after she was rescued by the Japan Coast Guard.
Fellow British Rower Charlie Martell was also awaiting rescue in his boat Blossom, according to the Pacific2012.com website. Martell was approximately 280 miles northeast of Outen.
"Strong winds and heavy seas led to the repeated capsize of his boat Blossom," the website said. "She then pitch-poled, causing structural damage and leaving Charlie no choice but to abort the voyage and call for assistance ... Charlie is unhurt and still on-board Blossom."
"A fast patrol vessel is on its way to Charlie's location and is expected to arrive alongside him at approximately 0200hrs on 9 June," it added.
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Leave a Comment:
I am sick of these idiots putting them selves in danger then expecting emergency teams to endanger their own lives to rescue them. Let alone the cost on the local governments.
Let them sink, it will help clean the gene pool.
Yes, stay behind your computer and don't venture out in the world. It's so much safer. Of course, when you go to the hospital because of an obesity-related issue like a heart attack, I have a feeling the rest of us are going to be picking up your tab.
Thank goodness we still have folks like Sarah. They are the best part of our 'gene pool.'
Going to wal-mart to see how many 2 liter soda bottles you can stuff into one of their over-sized carts does not count as adventure.
Hey, Beach Sail! Do you suppose there are only two options? Reckless activity and morbid obesity? You are presenting what is called a false dilemma. How about safe activity that does not require others to take risks? It is costly and dangerous to rescue those who take needless and pointless risks. There is a happy medium.
Hey Joe! Do you think only those involved in reckless activities require rescue? Even those in your "happy medium" get in trouble.
http://www.kvia.com/news/31148288/detail.html
How dare they hike on a trail!
http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/south_county/block-island-hurt-fisherman-rescued-off-block-island
How dare they fish!
People can do what they want Joe, thats why the various rescue services are there.
People decide to engage in all sorts of activities for all sorts of private reasons. Problem nowadays is that they then expect the public to bail them out at great risk and expense when their personal decision puts them in life threatening danger or ends in abject failure. Worse it often puts other innocent people in jeopardy. It's a free world, almost, so go ahead and do whatever you want, but don't expect public funds and resources to rescue you. Provide your own backup plan and support resources that you feel are prudent and necessary. Amelia Earhart wasn't rescued, and the world still turns.
Ah, bkkbob, they searched for and are still searching for Earhart. They didn't rescue her because they didn't find her.
So people have been expecting search and resuce now for some time.
...and...
...oh wait...
Yea, dammit! Only wealthy people, corporations and banks deserve to be rescued! Who do these losers think they are asking the taxpayer to pay 10's even 100's of 1000's of dollars on rescues because they wanted to try and row a boat across the Appalachian trail or some such nonsense...!
Hell, they could have been forcing us to cough up TRILLIONS like the bankers have for their risky criminal adventures. Who are these insignificant peons who think that THEY qualify as "too big to fail"?!?
Seriously...how much sense does it make to go out on a rowboat in the middle of the ocean; no one around but and expect to row for days! They are only doing it for a moment of fame! and no, i am not an obese person sitting behind a computer!
And, thinking about it, in US waters the Navy and Coast Guard HAD BETTER RESCUE ME becasue I PAY FOR IT. We all do, its called taxes that fund these missions. How other countries deal with it, up to them.
People who try these extreme stunts should be forced to post bonds to cover the costs if they need to be rescued by government assets. I realize that in this case it is the Japanese footing the bill for rescuing these two, but far too often it has been the US. If people want to try these crazy, extremely risky stunts, then they should be held financially responsible for any costs associated with their actions, including any rescue that becomes necessary. There is no reason that the taxpayers should get stuck with the bill for providing their safety net in case their quest for glory results in their needing rescuing. It is one thing for the Coast Guard to rescue someone who gets into trouble through some accident or unforeseeable event, but when someone purposely takes on a voyage like this that has a high chance of running into problems, they should be forced to foot the bill. Having them post a bond is the best way to make sure that these costs are covered and easily recoverable by the government.
I agree 100% with you JS., you've made some good points.
Both in Japan and in US Coast Guard is funded by taxpayers, providing services for these taxpayers, just like police and FBI does. There are thousands of boats out there every day and it is quite rare that a rescue is needed, especially with the current level of technology and reliability of weather forecasts. The number of rescues has been actually declining steadily over the years.
Definitely agree. Especially with the latest craze of teenagers with irresponsible parents allowing for their kids to be the youngest to sail around the world solo - - and have countries pick up their rescue tabs.
Post a bond to cover rescue costs - or get rescued and face jail time.
Well said. folks who want the glory, pampered self centered egomaniacs who do not have a proper appreciation for the fury of nature, deserve no sympathy or regard from me! Their consideration of a worse case scenario is no more than risking the lives of others, others far more sane and mature, to save their pompous ass. To be alone against the full force of nature, just to gain a "great personal achievement" with no meaning to any one else, begs the question, who really cares what happens to you? This isn't the bravery of the moon landing done "for all of mankind", or the bravery of a firefighter rushing in to save, even if only beloved pets, never mind people, and at great risk. Yeah be a hero, gain some bragging rights for some self centered adventure/folly, that is when all goes easy, but you will cry like big babies when it hits the fan. You are not brave, you're plain stupid and arrogant! You want to be brave? go out alone and pay the price if it goes horribly wrong! For all who challenge fate needlessly, for adventure/folly, some sort of high and fame, be aware you may ultimately pay the highest price and if saved by the truly brave you owe real big time.
Timothy, teens wanting to explore is hardly "the latest craze"; in 1965, 16 year-old Robin Lee Graham did it. Columbus began sailing at age 14.
Actually, these are very, very brave people. You have no f... clue how bad these storms get. CG rescues people from commercial ships in weather like that as well. These rowers went through a lot of very rough weather before and only called for help at the most extreme turn of events.
At some point, bravery crosses the line into foolishness, as this case illustrates.
There is always a very fine line between bravery and foolishness. Especially when things go wrong. Then all of a sudden people who sit on their rear end most of their life complain about the foolishness of people who attempt to do some truly remarkable things. I sail quite a bit and would never attempt to row across Pacific, but people row across Atlantic all the time, sometimes running into truly horrible weather. So these rowers were not doing anything truly unprecedented. They just run out luck, that's all.
As long as she picks up the cost for the rescue....no problems here.
Intentionally putting you life at risk MULTIPLE time for no other reason than your own personal satisfaction puts you on the "pick up your own rescue tab" club.
The difference is Commercial ships have experienced crews, inspected ships which pay taxes to the country of the Flag, and pay tariffs on their cargos, which defray the costs of rescue one of the few that need rescue.
Where with these rowers, there numbers are fewer, they haven't paid into taxes for rescue efforts, and they need rescue at a greater rate than commercial ships.
The difference between professionals and bozos.
Max, these people aren't "very,very brave".....just... "very,very stupid".
Remarkable? No. Foolish and short-sighted? Yes.
You have no clue how much research and preparation went into these rowing expeditions. These are not some idiots trying to climb Mt. Rainier in flip-flops. You should read something about ocean rowing, like here for example: http://www.taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com/
Max...God let us invent ships to cross the ocean for a reason. Another reason ships were invented was to not think that we would be foolish enough to do something that was NEVER intended to done on the open seas.
JS in Sd has it correct. These people that want to row the world or sail it alone are putting themselves in obviouslydangerous situations on purpose. Yes it is adventurous and exciting but what of the people that risk their lives, the cost etc for when these ventures go wrong? Since not saving these fools isn't an option they should in fact have to sign waivers of the power to sue those that save them and get insurance/bond coverage for the rescue itself. Plus have some provision for the accidental death of anyone that is attempting to save them. Life isn't fair and it isn't free get over it
Oh and Beach Sail you're a jerk...
Yes, life isn't fair. Thats the only thing you're correct about. Having been involved in rescues at sea, which I'm sure you haven't, bad things happen to people not trying anything you or Joe would consider "risky".
Why is Beach a jerk? He's more correct than you want to admit. Between video games and "social media" we are becoming a more and more isolated and sedentary society. Just because you don't like something and think its pointless, which is the root cause of your and Joe's issue, doesn't mean anything. I'm sure you both do something that Beach and I would think is equally stupid and pointless.
I'm all for doing stuff like this - BUT why shouldn't people who need to be rescued from the water or mountain or whatever receive a bill?
We billed by the ambulance that takes us to the hospital. These rescue services should also be billed. it's only fair.
The girl just wanted off the boat, she said the boat will have to rough it for a while before they can pick it up. The guy' boat has big problems, in seas like he is in its only time till it falls apart, you have no idea what it can be like. There is a difference between the two: She should have to pay her way as she had a choice. The guy was in need of rescue.
sauve - just because he didn't ASK to be rescued doesn't make it any less expensive of dangerous. Is it too much to ask that people attempting these sort of journeys be responsible for these type of contingencies? Posting bonds etc.
"He" is a she. Didn't you read the article?
Mathuin: "He" is a she. Didn't you read the article?"
Did you? There is a "he" on the boat, "Blossom," AND a "she" on the boat, "Gulliver." 2 sailors--one of each gender. Get it?
Single did you read the piece? He did ask to be rescued, his boat was falling apart. Her's was fine and she asked to be rescued because she did not like it any more. She should have to foot the bill but his was a needed rescue, why should he have to foot the bill? Just because you would never venture off your couch does not mean that everyone that does should have to pay for everything, it is only the ones that blatantly abuse the system like the girl that should.
There is a fine line between adventure and absurdity. Spoiled rich kids havin' fun is all. How do you say "stupid" in Japanese...I'm sure that's what the Japanese Coast Guard personnel were thinking. "Stupid British people."
If these fools want adventure.. they should take field trips to the Iranian border or such.
Rowing solo with a support team is not rowing solo.... no more than taking a carnival cruise solo with staff support.
Hey, her boat's bigger than the rescue boat. Just send her the bill for the rescue. She obviously has more time and money on her hands than she is capable of spending wisely, so she won't mind. At least get a sailboat, lady!
It's called a tender. Look it up.
Long journeys are often difficult and unpredictable, you don't know where you are and when you get there, it's like your in dreamland, I know because I'm talking from real life experience. These people want adventure, they are go travel into the unknown, I call it the X-File syndrome, y'know with Dana Scully and Agent Mulder, but they say curiosity killed the cat and a cat has only 9 lives which incidentally makes me wonder what happens next? I recall seeing a black cat not long ago, legend tells me, black cats are witches cats and that's saying enough. Take my advice all you kids out there, don't mess with the paranormal, leave it to the professionals, strangly Agent Mulder loses his life in the end. Sad, very sad, I wonder what happened to him?
I doubt if any of the people commenting here know for sure who is paying for her rescue. For all you know she may have taken out insurance or have a rich sponsor for her trip. When rescue's like this happen in places that are not so unusual to be in (not tops of mountains or far flung areas) I think "what else would the coastgrard be doing"? Sitting on their duffs in an office listening to weather reports? Getting paid to sit? So isn't the cost of a rescue like this a moot point - that they'd be doing something else if not this? Without this spirit of adventure there would have been no NASA program (ya'll paid for that, right?) No new discoveries on the surgeons table either. And for all we know there could be some piece of equipment on her boat getting tested during this trip. I would also suggest that if this young lady had been a. American b. Current or retired military or c. Male, many of the comments here would have had a different tone. Be honest now, weren't you just a teeny bit disappointed when you heard she was a Brit?
Come on!!! Just because she is a girl like you, you don't have to support her so blindly. The fact is that rowing (if you want to call it that) from point A to point B in a stupid little boat on the rough Pacific ocean proves nothing at all. The only piece of equipment being tested on her boat is her lack of brains. She probably donated it to science without realiziing it is better to be dead first. This sense of adventure she is on is as useless to science as a bag of condoms on a dead guy.
I'm not supportimg her blindly - I'm simply sayimg that without someone pushing the envelope from time time to, we learn nothing. And no one on this site has the foggiest clue about how she paid for this, what sponsorship or insurance she has and what was on her boat - myself included. But I"m not jumping in there condemning the cost of her rescue or calling her an idiot like many of the other posters. But thank you sweetheart for calling me a girl! Kissie Kissie :-)
Most likely, both of these sailors will be required to pay for the costs of their rescues. That is standard practice. It is no different than when a hiker gets lost in the mountains and a search team is sent out.
I do agree that at some point the behavior becomes "reckless" as the likelihood for a successful outcome is not very good, and the risks simply outweigh any benefits.
Like a hospital billing the uninsured for a visit? Doesn't mean the hospital gets paid. These idiots need insurance or shouldn't be allowed out of port.
Go after the sponsors of the trips. They wanted advertising, now they have it, pay for it.
One fact overlooked here is that coast guards (and navies) need to constantly train their crews, and these rescues are considered part of the training. They are out there anyway, and a real-life situation is considered better than a simulation. Ask the men who do this, and they will tell you they have no resentment toward the people they rescue. Quite the opposite.
That being said, these rowboat emergencies make it very clear that you should not go into blue waters without a soundly constructed keel boat. "Human in a pod" experiments are bound to flounder on the high seas.
Dude, I sail a small (25ft) full keel Cape Dory out to Gulf Stream all the time. Sometimes the weather turns nasty and I get tossed around quite a bit, and I'm just so frigging glad when I make it into my protected harbor. I can imagine these folks get tossed around in their little pods, their guts shaken like a f.. milkshake. Could I take a couple of days of such abuse? I doubt that. But rowing across Pacific is such a badass idea that I can only have admiration for these folks.
Stupidity doesn't equate to bravery.
What prior solo-rowing experience does she and her other mate have? Progressively training successfully by traversing smaller bodies of water first - and not during the typhoon seasons.
People on computers making comments about people doing things in the real world - LOL. Some of you sound like my mom. And that's a compliment. But I'm still going to ride my bike without a helmet. And possibly run with scissors. And one day maybe row across the Pacific. And after I'm rescued, I'll hand over the cure for cancer I discovered.
I'm ok with you doing all of that. Just don't expect a huge amount of resources to be expended to help you once you've injured yourself or become stuck. How many of these people would attempt a solo ocean crossing if they knew there was no help available. Probably a few, just like in ancient times, but not nearly as many as today.
I guess my point was, resources are well spent on something like this because those giving the help look forward to helping and need the experience. And secondly, I wonder how many people would complain about resources when the person rescued goes on to discover the next great idea for humanity.
Sure they could be some spoiled rich people who had no business out there. Or they could have exactly what it takes to be the next saviors of humanity. In other words, I don't really see what the complaining is about since those directly involved have no complaints and we don't know what the future holds for these people. It makes putting a price tag on it a little petty and beside the point.
wow look at that pic--that's some serious rough seas...
When I was in the Navy, we would get caught in a storm and it was awesome to look at the waves that could engulf the ship. Watching other ships we traveled with, they would be covered and then pop out of the wave that covered them. We knew that the same thing was happening to our destroyer.
Open sea isn't a friendly place during a storm!
Even an Idiot like darwin is laughing at her. Stay home and go to work.
Luckily when some people do stupid things, the world expends unlimited resources to help them.
"Adventurer" is not the name I would use to describe these two. I like the way their support team, while sitting at home, posted a message on the internet.
Reminds me of the stunts people have pulled trying to travel to the North Pole to point out how the ice is melting and then all they talk about is how cold it is and they never get anywhere close to the pole. One of the groups posted pictures of their fossil fueled equipment like generators and heaters all the while they were saying that CO2 from fossil fuels was melting the ice. The same ice they couldn't travel over because of the huge tall ridges they couldn't get their sleds over.
I'm fine with adventurers BUT if we need to rescue you from the ocean or off the mountain or whatever, why shouldn't you receive a bill for services rendered?
And if you don't have any money, you die? Is that the plan? Do you also like those backwater fire departments who only watch unless you prepaid? How about having the Police not responding unless you give your credit card number? It sounds very Republican to me.
no that be govt. funded care. when people solely rely on that and able bodies who are capable take the easier "free" route and steal while they purchase other things
...interesting story title about the 'merciless' storm, as if a storm has the capability of mercy. Who was it that said something like, "In nature there is neither good nor evil, only consequences". When you attempt something like this, you pays your money and takes your chances.
There should probably be some type of International Insurance protection or something for people that want to engage in this type of risk, so that when things go bad, others aren't left holding the bag for their little risky adventure. These people rowing across an ocean alone does nothing for mankind, since we moved past rowing centuries ago. It's an ego adventure and others shouldn't be expected to clean up the mess when things go wrong, but at the same time human decency prevents us from leaving others to die. Carry insurance or pick up the tab for the rescuers.
Poor Gulliver (the boat), why he is still afloat. He's thinking hey girl...row damn it we can make it, ride it out a little longer, you going to let a few big waves get the best of you? Don't leave me all alone out here....
Many people aspire to a Darwin Award, but not all succeed.