[Lighthouse]

Lighthouse, on Jan 22 2009, 08:05 AM, said:

Contact the Reunion authorites for any possible news.

See the "Contact Info" HERE

[Lighthouse]

S Africa Search & Rescue has sent a Hercules that should be over the area by now. The S & R is however being co-ordinated by the authority in Reunion.

There are a number of ships in the area that have been notified to keep a look out.

I will post any news update here.

[daughter]

Lighthouse, on Jan 22 2009, 09:11 AM, said:

Unfortunately the weather does not look good in the area. The EPIRB activation was located over 200 miles east of the southern end of madgascar.

SEE WEATHER (22/01/09)

Thank you so much for everything you are doing. It is so hard being so far away (Oregon) and feeling so helpless.

[Lighthouse]

Keep your chin up!

[Lighthouse]

Mixed news I'm afraid.

One man rescued by a merchant ship - name unknown at this stage. The rescued man has told the rescuers that the other two men went overboard without life-jackets. The search is continuing.

Reunion MRCC is co-ordinating the search - Phone: 262 262 434343.

I will update with any further news to hand.

[daughter]

Lighthouse, on Jan 22 2009, 01:58 PM, said:

Mixed news I'm afraid.

One man rescued by a merchant ship - name unknown at this stage. The rescued man has told the rescuers that the other two men went overboard without life-jackets. The search is continuing.

Reunion MRCC is co-ordinating the search - Phone: 262 262 434343.

I will update with any further news to hand.

Well, that is positive in that one of them is alive. It doesn't sound very promising for the other two. Thank you for the update.

[daughter]

The man that was found is Leo Sherman. He was found clinging to the boat and is hopefully now receiving medical attention. Apparently, divers are going to search the boat more thoroughly.

We are still hoping that my dad (Joe Strykowski) and Quen Cultra could be out there on a raft or the dingy - or clinging to something. I feel caught between joy and despair. Having hope but wanting to brace myself against the awful blow that might be coming.

One hopeful thing...the rescuers apparently noticed that there were more civilian ships in the area than normal. It makes me feel that, if they are out there, they will be found.

Thank you all so much. Especially "Lighthouse."

[Nausikaa]

We are all pleased that Leo has been found and is, hopefully, recovering from this ordeal. We will, of course, be far happier when we get the news that all three have been saved.

In a situation like this it is difficult to give hope whilst trying to be objective. As an ex-rescue leader myself I know well the circumstances. You do right to brace yourself but do not give up hope.

On behalf of all the moderators I can say that our thoughts and prayers are with you in these difficult times.

Aye // Stephen

[daughter]

Nausikaa, on Jan 22 2009, 07:06 PM, said:

We are all pleased that Leo has been found and is, hopefully, recovering from this ordeal. We will, of course, be far happier when we get the news that all three have been saved.

In a situation like this it is difficult to give hope whilst trying to be objective. As an ex-rescue leader myself I know well the circumstances. You do right to brace yourself but do not give up hope.

On behalf of all the moderators I can say that our thoughts and prayers are with you in these difficult times.

Aye // Stephen

Thank you, Stephen. We are so touched by the support that we have found from this community.This is the kind of thing you read about in stories and your faith in mankind is restored. We are so grateful.

[Lighthouse]

daughter, on Jan 22 2009, 05:16 PM, said:

Thank you all so much. Especially "Lighthouse."

Hi Nicole

There is nothing to thank me for - I just tried to find some information for you - it was no trouble at all. We are all cruisers and we feel for you.

Thank you for posting the information that you managed to confirm.

I (and all of us in this cruising community) are holding thumbs for you that your dad is alive and well, possibly inside the overturned hull.

If I get any new information I will post it here and trust that you will do the same to keep us all up to date.

Chin up!

[NEWSREPORTER]

Nicole-

I am a news reporter in Champaign, Illinois. We heard about your father and his crews situation. I'd like to get more information out to more people as soon as possible to have people on the lookout.

Some of the families of the men live within our viewing area, if you could help me get in contact with someone I could do an interiew and then get this information on the news today, it then could go nationwide to get more people aware and looking.

I hope this helps, please get in touch with me as soon as possible.

Amanda Evans

217-369-3387

WCIA3 NEWS

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS

[Nausikaa]

As moderator, I have refrained from deleting the above post as it may well already have been read by the person it is intended for as she is currently in the forum. However let me raise a word of warning. As I mentioned earlier, I do have a few years experience as rescue coordinator and the only thing that will help here is to have more eyes at sea or in the air in the search area.

There is no way that "getting this information on the news today" in Illinois will have any effect whatsoever on the search. The good reporter, unless she has some very influential people willing to help her, will not be able to put ships to sea or aircraft in the air in the Indian Ocean.

I make a plea to all, let the rescue services get on with their job and don't make false promises of putting people "on the lookout". We are all hoping and praying that the two remaining crew members will soon be found and the greatest chance of that happening is if MRCC and the vessels / aircraft in the area can do their jobs without being unnecessarily disturbed.

Aye // Stephen