Yacht Free Spirit Missing in N. Atlantic

[AndrewF]

I don't know how many hav heard about this but it gave me pause

From Boston CG web site:

Coast Guard aircrews continue the search for the sailing vessel Free Spirit, with four persons aboard, which is approximately 200 nautical miles south of Halifax, Nova Scotia today.

The Coast Guard received a call at 11:55 a.m. today from the stepdaughter of Jacek Bielecki, the operator of the sailing vessel Free Spirit, stating that the vessel and crew were in distress and needed to be rescued immediately.

While en route to Europe from Newport, R.I., Bielecki, a 56-year-old United Kingdom citizen and Newport, R.I. resident, made a distress call to his stepdaughter via satellite phone and provided the vessel's coordinates. There has been no further communication with the vessel's crew.

The three other passengers aboard the Free Spirit include:

* Jack Bielecki, a 19-year-old UK citizen

* Richard White, a 34-year-old UK citizen

* Molly Finn, a 21-year-old U.S. citizen and Newport, R.I. resident

Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod launched an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and HU-25 Falcon jet at 12:45 p.m. to search for the Free Spirit. Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City has launched a C-130 and the Boston-based Cutter Spencer has been diverted to join the search and rescue efforts.

Simultaneous to this search and rescue effort, the Canadian-flagged, 43-foot sailing vessel Dad's Dream was reported to be taking on water approximately 115 nautical miles south of Halifax today.

The Canadian Air Force and Coast Guard, and U.S. Coast Guard have been conducting joint search and rescue efforts.

While unable to locate the Free Spirit, the Falcon crew relocated the Dad's Dream with a broken mast and the three passengers aboard. The aircrew dropped a dewatering pump to the vessel.

Seas are reported to be 23 to 30 feet, the winds are reported to be 50 to 90 knots.

COAST GUARD ENDS FREE SPIRIT SEARCH:

“The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search about 1:45 p.m. today (June 18) for the 41-foot sailing vessel Free Spirit, with four people on board ...”

more info’:

http://www.uscgnewengland.com/go/doc/778/120930/

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=100...dRYss&refer=uk#

[Dadsdream]

THere are some errors on this post!

The boat Dad's Dream is 48' and did not have a broken mast. It is my fathers yacht and there are alot of diffent this said about this that are not true.. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[Auzzee]

I hope your dad and his crew are now safe and well and that all those close to him, who followed the drama, have recovered and still support his seafaring ways. It is always sad to hear of loss at sea and although time is wearing on, we can only hope that a miracle brings some good news for those who still await the return of the crew on 'Free Spirit'.

[Dadsdream]

Thanks you.

All are well, in fact a US training ship picked up Dad's Dream 200 miles off the coast and towed it to maine, where my father and brother went to get it. They have reciently arrived back to Nova Scotia safely with the boat.

It will continue to require repair, but it won't stop us from sailing her again!