The Pirates boarded the Lorna and helped themselves to what was on board. They got less than US $20.00, a watch, two pairs of Binoculars, a Walkman, two sets of snorkelling gear, some Alcohol and some other small items. They destroyed the VHF communications equipment but somehow missed the HF radio. This left the owner’s wife, ViVi to handle the vessel, care for him and to initiate the HF distress call.
At about 3:10 pm (AST) Amateur Radio Operator, Eric Mackie, 9Z4CP was monitoring the Maritime Mobile Service Net and was able to assist the Mayday call on frequency.
9Z4CP phoned the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and advised them of the situation and was able to give them most of the required information. The Trinidad & Tobago Coast Guard soon came up on the net frequency and were able to speak with the S/Y Lorna directly.
Soon every ham in Trinidad was tuned to 14.300 also, the Venezuelan Navy was on frequency, along with the U.S.C.G. Puerto Rico station and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard. Both
the Venezuelan Navy and the Trinidad and Tobago Fast Patrol boat, the TTS Crown Point, arrived on the scene at almost the same time. There was a very short sea, at around 6 seconds, which prevented the Lorna from coming alongside either the Venezeulan or Trinidadian vessels and it was decided to ferry the medical personnel across to the Lorna by dinghy from the TTS Crown Point. This was done and once the medical personnel did an evaluation it was decided that, rather than risk further injury to Bo by trying to transfer him, they would sail the boat to calmer waters. The transfer eventually took place in the lee of Chacachacare Island, a small uninhabited island about 10 miles west of Chagauramas in Trinidad. The FPB then took Bo to the Coast Guard Station in Chaguaramas where an ambulance was waiting.
The TTARS executive submitted an account of this incident to the "Golden Antenna" award committee of the City of Bad Bentheim. This prestigeous award is given for meritorious Amateur Radio service. We were informed of 9Z4CP’s success and so he travels to the award ceremony in Germany on August 21, 2002 to receive his award, and partake of the festivities over that weekend. On his return this article will be updated with pictures from the ceremony.
Fritz was Eric's Chaperone at the event.