Delicate operation ensures boat's safe return

While the rescue of the Cat Sass crew after the boat capsized took 15 minutes, saving the catamaran was a much longer process.

The boat, which turned over Sunday during the Swiftsure Lightship Classic race, made a less-than-spectacular return to shore at the Port of Sidney Tuesday afternoon after a painstaking salvage operation.

Murray MacKay, owner of Sidney-based Advanced Subsea Services, a diving and ocean technology company, said his company's involvement began shortly after the distress call. "Right away, we were communicating with the coast guard and got in touch with the race officials for Swiftsure," he said.

MacKay and his crew worked with the coast guard and Swiftsure race officials as well as Marine Assist International of Vancouver. A coast guard auxiliary vessel whisked the boat's crew to safety within minutes of the 6:22 a.m. distress call. Marine Assist and Advanced Subsea got to work on the boat a couple of hours later.

The first step was to stabilize the Cat Sass so that it wouldn't drift too far out to sea. The Riptide, a utility boat from Sidney, secured a line on the catamaran in order to prevent it from smashing into nearby rocks.

Mike MacKenzie of Marine Assist said it took six to seven hours for the Voyageur, Marine Assist's large offshore rescue vessel, to tow the Cat Sass to the safety of Becher Bay. The fact that the sails, mast, and cordage were still attached and dragging underwater like a giant jellyfish didn't help much.

MacKay's and MacKenzie's crews set to work on removing the catamaran's rigging on Monday. The sails and cordage had to be removed underwater by divers. The boat was righted using what MacKay called a "reverse flip" technique. A rope was used to attach the side of the Cat Sass closest to the shore to the Voyager, and the side that faced the water was tied to a tree on the shoreline.

The Voyager then slowly pulled away from the shore, and the leverage it generated flipped the catamaran right side up.

After the Cat Sass was righted and its rigging secured, the boat was ready to be towed to Sidney.

Taken from the Victoria Times Colonist: Wednesday May 31, 2006

May 20, 1998

Cheryl and Gary McGuire
Port Coquitlam, B.C.

Marine Assist
33944 Station D
Vancouver, B.C.

Re: Sea Rescue May 16, 1998

Dear Michael:

Cheryl and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your efforts in rescuing our vessel last Saturday evening.

The speed of your response time and the professional manner you displayed while communicating with us made us feel very comfortable in a stressful situation.

We were also impressed with how well your vessel was equipped and the smooth method you used to hook up our vessel to yours for the trip back to False Creek.

In addition, the time you took to make sure we were safely tied up for the night and to explain our options was very thoughtful.

To top things off, your visiting us the following day to get our vessel running was extremely generous.

Cheryl and I wish you every success in you future endeavors and will certainly let our boating buddies know the service Marine Assist has to offer.


Yours truly,
Cheryl and Gary McGuire

July 17, 2003

Mr. Michael Mackenzie
Marine Assist
33944 Stn D
Vancouver, BC V6J 4L7

Dear Mr. Mackenzie:

Re: Canadian Search and Rescue Incident P2003-1271 - North Arm Persons in Water

Late yesterday afternoon you called in a Mayday to Vancouver Radio reporting two females calling for help in the North Arm of the Fraser River.

These victims had been caught in an ebb tide and swept ½ mile offshore. Your quick response to their desperate situation, which was also reported to be a difficult recovery, undoubtedly saved their lives.

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Search and Rescue System, the victims and their families to express my sincerest gratitude for your selfless response.

Sincerely,
Captain John Palliser
Superintended
Marine Search and Rescue

Article taken from WBPS Newletter (Summer 2003)

Say the word "lifesaver," and some people think of a sweet circle of candy. But for my friend Leah and I, "lifesaver" has another connotation.

On July 16, after pulling an all-nighter writing research papers for UBC, we decided we'd earned a stress-relieving dip at Wreck Beach, a first for me. The sunny day seemed like the perfect introduction to the beach as we dove into the warm abyss without care for the strong tide. I felt I could handle it since I am an avid swimmer. Not so! By the time we realized the shore was nowhere in sight, I began to panic when we remained stationary against the current as it pushed us toward the breakwater where I was afraid we'd be sucked under. I began to scream for help.

An immense thanks (Gila' Kasla) goes to Marine Assist. We were in too much shock to get the names of the man and woman who pulled us out of our potential oceanic tombs; these guardian angels deserve much more than this thank-you. They were in the right place at the right time to save these two university girls' lives. Also, Gila' Kasla to the Coastal Salish people whose ancestors were surly with us. And also to those sweet souls who realized we were missing (Rod and Judy), and those who kindly moved our belongings from disappearing into the ocean.

Shauna Lewis and Leah Hubbard
Vancouver, British Columbia

Richmond, B.C.

Dear Michael:

Werner and I would like to thank you for your excellent service on July 24, 1993 (re: "Nikalee"). We realize your prompt and accurate service halted any further damage.

To recap the scene of the incident, you began to work on our securing her in order that no further drifting would occur. The water was then pumped out in preparation to raise her for towing up the river to our marina (Shelter Island Marina), finishing at approximately 01:45 hrs.

At no time did Werner feel pressured to accept your service; he felt you were polite, honest, caring and accurate in your assessment. Our options were explained and Werner's concerns for salvage rights were clearly addressed. After you had explained you had no claim on our boat in any legal regard, Werner agreed to your service. The towing company that was initially contacted would not have been able to complete the job as needed.

Recalling the rescue scene and noting the vast area to be covered in B.C., it is a shame that not all areas of rescue services combine forces in their work. Werner noted tension and some heated discourse with all parties involved. Each service has a valuable function and is greatly needed in a collective effort towards effective rescue and recovery.

We both thank you for your efforts in the time of Werner's distress and will pass on information about your services.

Yours truly,
Werner and Lynette Brugger

May 8, 2001

Captain Michael McKenzie
33944 Station D
Vancouver, B.C. V6J 4L7

Dear Captain Michael McKenzie:

I refer to the incident on the dock area along the Fraser River during the early morning hours of April 25, 2001.

On behalf of Premier Security Inc, I would like to record our thanks to you and your personnel in respect of the assistance offered to one of our staff members, Mr. Barry Holland.

The quick response shown to Mr. Holland obviously diffused what could have been a potentially fatal incident.

Please convey our sincerest appreciation in respect of this matter.

Yours truly,
Premier Security Inc.
Richard Ladds

Mike MacKenzie
Marine Assist
3394 Station D
Vancouver, BC
V6J 4L7

September 17, 2003

Kevin Murray
Vancouver, BC

Cary deBest
Vancouver, BC

Dear Mike McKenzie:

I am writing today to thank you for your support and assistance in our marine rescue of September 13, 2003. As you know our vessel sustained a mechanical failure at approximately 7:30 p.m. on the night of September 13, 2003. After calling Pan Pan Victoria Coast Guard directed us to you. We originally came to an agreement in principle over the radio. At approximately 8:00 p.m. that same night, we received a transmission from someone calling himself the C-Tow Navigator. C-Tow informed us that he was in Gibson's Landing Marina and that he could be at our location within the hour and would tow us back to the Gibson's Landing Marina. Since that was our destination and the timeframe of one hour seemed reasonable we contacted Marine Assist to see if we could cancel our arrangement. Marine Assist agreed that a vessel nearer to our location would be helpful and allowed us to alter our arrangement. At approximately 9:00 p.m. we contacted Victoria Coast Guard to inform them of our new GPS coordinates and to tell them that there was not another vessel in our field of vision. Since the allotted time of C-Tow's ETA had passed the Victoria Coast Guard tried to contact C-Tow Navigator directly by radio. C-Tow did not answer hails by the Victoria Coast Guard. Victoria Coast Guard tried for over one hour to contact C-Tow by cell phone and radio hails. C-Tow did not answer any hails nor was C-Tow in touch with us over this same time frame.

Eventually, Mike MacKenzie called us on our cell phone and talked to us. We informed Mike that C-Tow had not shown and that there were no vessels in our field of vision. By this time C-Tow's ETA of 9:00 p.m. had past by over one hour. Victoria Coast Guard hailed us on the radio and told us that there was no way to contact C-Tow and that they would be sending out a Coast Guard team from Halfmoon Bay to render assistance to us. While the Coast Guard was on rout to us they came across the vessel from C-Tow. The Coast Guard contacted us and asked us to put up a flare, which we did. The Coast Guard was along side our boat within 20 minutes of them being in the water. It was only after the Coast Guard contact with us that C-Tow came along side our boat a full two hours late from his suggested ETA.

C-Tow Navigator then began saying that it was not his fault that he was late because we were not where we reported our position to be over two hours earlier. The C-Tow Navigator did not allow for wind, time, tides, currents, etc. In those two hours we drifted probably five miles on the tide. C-Tow Navigator was rude, uncooperative, unprofessional, uncaring to our plight and our situation. We had no contact with C-Tow Navigator after his original hailing us to say that he would come to our aid until he pulled up along side the Coast Guard vessel.

If not for the professional conduct of Marine Assist and Mike MacKenzie contacting us to follow up on our condition we might have had to spend the night out on the Georgia Strait. Victoria Coast Guard did everything they were supposed to do when they were supposed to do it. Once we entered into an agreement for service Victoria Coast Guard stood down to monitor the situation.

The combined efforts of Marine Assist, Mike MacKenzie, and Victoria Coast Guard put together a plan that resulted in our being towed into Gibson's Landing, our original destination. Only because of their efforts was a potential disaster averted. Our deepest thanks and appreciation go out to both organizations and the many Coast Guard volunteers that give of themselves in all weather conditions to render the assistance we needed to get us to shore safely.

As for C-Tow Navigator, this person came onto the scene in what looked like a 24' sun cruiser to tow us into shore. From what I could see he had no special equipment on board his vessel that would have assured us that he could perform his duties safely. The mere fact that we had no contact with this person for hours, that he did not allow for drift, that he blamed us for drifting (we were in over 600 feet of water), that he did not have the proper equipment suggests to me that if there are no regulations governing marine assistance then there should be. Without such regulations charlatans like the C-Tow Navigator will continue to operate until there is a fatal conclusion to a marine rescue attempt.

As a co-owner of the vessel Sin-Bad I can tell you sincerely and directly that we will not laugh at the same joke twice. This experience has taught us a valuable lesson, one that will be heeded for the rest of my life. I will never again agree to use the service of C-Tow and I will tell everyone who will listen about our experiences involving C-Tow.

Sincerely,
Kevin Murray

June 29, 1992

Dear Mike:

Enclosed is my personal check for $700.00 US funds to cover your bill for services relative to the destruction of my vessel last weekend.

I want to thank you for the professionalism and skill with which you dealt with my tragic circumstances. I am fortunate that you happened on the scene and were able to help me.

Sincere regards,
Kelso Gillenwater

Sept 1, 1996

To Whom It May Concern,

re: our experience and comments of being towed to port 8/25/96.

At 6:30 P.M. just north of "Sandheads", our vessel the FANCY FREE overheated for the third time in three hours and as we had no power the decision was made to call for a tow. Conditions were 1-2 meter swells from the NW. We were sitting broadside and very uncomfortable.

We called Coast Guard. They inquired as to our safety and told us they would put out a commercial call for a tow. They also said we would receive a couple of calls on our cell and we could negotiate towing fees with the callers.

Within minutes the cellular rang and it was C-TOW;

As he had predicted the phone rang seconds later. It was Mike from SAFE HARBOUR, who happens to be our neighbor at the marina.

Being as Mike is someone we know, we decided to use SAFE HARBOUR's services and cancel C-TOW. We gave him our location and he gave us his E.T.A. and assured of being immediately underway.

We immediately called the Coast Guard to obtain C-TOW's phone number and called him straightaway to cancel his services. We reached him and he thanked us for being so prompt.

Within 10 minutes after this call to C-TOW the Coast Guard auxiliary #6 crew arrived. They inquired as to our safety and plans and stood by. The appeared to make radio contact with SAFE HARBOUR and assured us he was underway. They continued to stand by.

Within 10 more minutes C-TOW arrived. Even though he was aware and acknowledged his services were not needed, there he was.

Within another ten minutes or so SAFE HARBOUR arrived. He again inquired as to our safety, explained the towing procedure, threw us a line and we tied on. Immediately we were underway.

The objective of this letter is to address the professionalism of the rescue services available to boaters. Competitive rescue services should respect the vulnerability of the distress boater and not ignore professionalism on the water.

We were very satisfied by both the Coast Guard and SAFE HARBOUR. Our experience with both was of utmost professionalism.

Livio Susin &
Darly-Ann Fregeau
MV FANCY FREE

May 20, 1993

Captain Michael McKenzie
M.V. Safe Harbour

Dear Michael:

Re: Boating Accident April 11, 1993

On April 11, 1993 our vessel suffered complete loss of steerage at around 1130 hrs near Pt. Atkinson due to collision with a deadhead.

After a Coast Guard request for assistance from pleasure craft in the area, a subsequent request was made fro a commercial tow.

I want to say thanks for the competent and professional way you handled the tow back to our marina in Coal Harbour. It is also heartening to know that a commercial operator such as yourself clearly states at the onset what conditions/costs apply for the tow.

In addition to the assistance from you on May 11, 1993, you undertook the tow of our vessel to Lynn Creek Marina, coordinating the arrival with Lynn Creek and General Boat Works. Again, it was clear that your good working relationship with these groups contributed to a safe and final delivery to the dry storage yard.

Incidentally, several days after the original tow I received a phone call from Sea Tow. They suggested that I be careful in dealing with your tow service. This seems surprising considering the exemplary service that I received from you.

Sincerely,
Frank Plumptre
S.V. Jersey Cream

March 23, 1994

Mr. Michael McKenzie
Safe Harbour Marine Assist International

Mr. McKenzie,

Many thanks for your prompt attention to our call for assistance last Saturday, March 19th.

You and your colleague were a most welcome sight as the thought of another three hours or so waiting for the tide was a far from happy prospect.

And the efficient and businesslike way you completed the task and delivered us home is very much appreciated.

Cheers,
James & Genevieve Wallwork

February 16, 1998

Re: Michael McKenzie of "Marine Assist International"

This is my letter of reference for Michael McKenzie. Marine Assist International has come to my rescue on two different occasions. The first was in the spring of 1997 when I hit a log off Dundarave, West Vancouver that ripped the lower leg off of my boat. I was impressed by his handling of my boat under tow and his dockmanship. Last weekend I once again broke down off Dundarave, this time with an electrical problem. Again I was impressed with Michael's skills in handling both boats, this time though in freshening sea conditions and darkness. I mad a point of waiting for Michael, even though another commercial assistance vessel was in the area and standing off, because of my confidence in his ability to protect my boat with his coolness under pressure. Michael also diagnosed the electrical problems I was having. I hired him to fix these problems, which involved an upgrading of my charging and battery systems, to prevent this type of breakdown again. I am completely satisfied with his work.

Yours truly,
Ted Seeberg