Father Missing Off Madagascar - Queequeg Ii Capsized!

[StuartMcMahon]

Hi Nicole,

My name is Stuart and I sailed on QueequegII leaving the boat at Bali in November. I'm so sorry to hear about all this, its such a shock. I spent many great hours chatting with you dad. He was a great man and I'm privileged to have met him. All my thoughts are with you and your family.

Stuart

[daughter]

Thank you, Stuart, for reaching out. We will be having a memorial for my father on March 12, 2010 (his 75th Birthday.) Again, that's 2010 - not 2009. It will be held in Chicago and I would love for anyone who has sailed with my father to be there. You can send me a private message here with your contact information and I will send you updates. Also, any stories you have about my dad would be most welcome.

Thanks Again,

Nicole

[Lighthouse]

No further news from the radio net this morning.

[daughter]

Originally Posted by Lighthouse

No further news from the radio net this morning.

I fear that there may not be any further updates. It has been almost a week now and there is no sign of my father or Quen. My father was a brave, adventurous, and passionate man. He was where he wanted to be and he was doing what he loved.

I want to thank everyone for their prayers, support, and help. Being so far away, it has helped my family tremendously to know that there were people in the area that were looking out for him.

We are still hoping that some of his personal items will be recovered. My father had put together some water-proof float bags with items he wanted to make sure made it home. He tied these bags to a couple of red gas cans and a life-jacket. My father was a writer and it is our belief that he may have put a disk containing his writing into the float bags. Also included was his passport and some other items. The recovery of these items is crucial to my sister and I. The need to have our father's words is paramount. If found, we implore that they are returned to us. It is all we have.

Once again, on behalf on my sister and myself, we thank the sailing community for all your efforts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Nicole Strykowski

[daughter]

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123132664

[Lighthouse]

Nicole

The above article highlights the effort that goes into these unfortunate incidents. When we are far away we tend to think that nothing is happening but, these S & R operations do the very best they can for us sailors. They are very professional!

We are all sad that we "could not do more" to find the missing sailors. Our thoughts are with you at this time.

Please keep in touch here.

God Bless.

[daughter]

"Sea-Fever"

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

By John Masefield (1878-1967).

(English Poet Laureate, 1930-1967.)



With Gratitude,

Nicole and Lisa

[daughter]

Hello everyone,

I know it's not likely, but I was just wondering if there was anything on the radio about my father or the ship? I have heard the U.S. Embassy is closed in Madagascar. My heart goes out to everyone who has been affected by this natural disaster and I feel sick about the violence that is happening now. I will keep praying for my father, and for Madagascar.

-Nicole

[Lighthouse]

No news at all Nicole. I will see in the morning after the radio net sched - about 8 hours from now. If anything, I will post it here.

Yes, things are not good in Madagascar right now.

[revilors]

My son was on the HC-130P that was sent from Djibouti to search for your father. I could sense the disappointment in his voice on his first call after returning that not all three men were found. I could tell on the last call from him that he has not forgotten about them. They all wished they could do more. Our hearts and prayers for you and your family and especially to your father and his shipmate.

Very sincerely,

Steve

[thewatcher]

Those of us in the Atlantic have been thinking of all of you, too. Sympathy pours from around the world, be assured! Although we know the risks involved in what we do, we still pray and hope for your families.

Sincerely,

The Watcher

[daughter]

Originally Posted by revilors

My son was on the HC-130P that was sent from Djibouti to search for your father. I could sense the disappointment in his voice on his first call after returning that not all three men were found. I could tell on the last call from him that he has not forgotten about them. They all wished they could do more. Our hearts and prayers for you and your family and especially to your father and his shipmate.

Very sincerely,

Steve

Thanks you, Steve, for your prayers. Please extend our appreciation to your son. My sister and I are grateful for his efforts.

[daughter]

As several reporters have posted misinformation, I feel the need to post this again:

We will be having a memorial for our father, JOE STRYKOWSKI, on March 12, 2010 (his 75th Birthday.) Again, that's 2010 - not 2009. It will be held in Chicago.

Thank you,

Nicole

[cafrine]

Hi,

we learned today, here in Reunion island, that yesterday, the other missing 7.5 meters yacht caught by ERIC cyclon has managed to reach Madagascar with no mast, continued motoring and finally been towed by a local pirog, one week after the cyclon.

South Madagascar is a fishing zone for many big boats from Reunion island, weather came back to good now, so a lot of boats are out at sea.

I met Queequeg II and her friendly crew in Mauritius, as they intended to leave Port Louis to Fort Dauphin, south Madagascar, and then continue to Durban. I personaly had to wait for the end of the cyclon to leave Mauritius and reach Reunion island where I learnt what happened from the local newspapers front page. That cyclon appeard so quick, On thursday, the weather was good, only a big cloudy zone up north Madagascar, they told me they were going to leave on friday, so they might have just missed the rapid changing in the weather.

We, local cruisers, are looking sharp, and are with you and the worlwide cruising comunity in these bad days.

Thierry, on S/Y Cafrine, Reunion Island.

[daughter]

My brother-in-law has set up a website for Dad. People can use this website if they would like to send messages to the family, share a story, post something, etc.

www.joestrykowski.com

[Nausikaa]

We, the moderators and I am sure the members of CruiserLog, would like to say that this is a lovely way to remember your father. We hope and are sure this site will generate many positive responses. Good fortune to you and God bless your father and his family.

Crossing the Bar

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar,

When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

Too full for sound and foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep

Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell,

When I embark;

For through from out our bourne of Time and Place

The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

When I have crossed the bar.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson