M/V Saipan
Express Assisted Rescue of 2 Men Aboard Pleasure Boat in Distress
Tinian Shipping & Transportation Inc.
February 9, 2000 --
- Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands
M/V Saipan Express under the command of Capt. Nikolai Lioujanov together with
TSTI General Manager Peter Cheung and TSTI Operations Manager Tony Wong battled
heavy rains and strong winds last Saturday, February 5, 2000 in search for
pleasure boat CM 285.
Cheung reported that at about 6:45 p.m. that day, they received a phone call
from the Director of EMO, Greg deleon Guerrero informing them of a boat in
distress some 20 miles west of Tinian. Deleon reportedly requested TSTI to
dispatch either of its ferries and render assistance to the boat. At the same
time, Deleon has arranged personnel from DPS to participate in the rescue
operation.
“Upon confirmation of the arrival of DPS personnel at the Tinian Dock, we
dispatched the full compliment of M/V Saipan Express to the Dock”, recounts
Mr. Cheung. He added that by 7:40 p.m., the ferry crew arrived on board the M/V
Saipan Express and commenced to mobilize the ferry, which was immediately put
out to sea after the engine was ready at about 8:25 p.m.
M/V Saipan Express sailed towards the direction given by the US Coast Guard
through Sergeant Villagomez of Boating Safety who was also on board with Joe
Camacho of Emergency Management Office (EMO). However, due to heavy weather that
made steering of the vessel difficult, it took the team about an hour of
steaming before the first sighting of a red light on the starboard bow of M/V
Saipan Express. M/V Saipan Express then steered towards the red light which only
lasted for a short moment.
“In absolute darkness and heavy waves, it was very difficult to see CM 285
visually or by radar. So, we switched on the ferry’s powerful searchlight to
aid us in our search for CM 285,” muses Cheung. While searching for the boat,
Cheung related that again another red light was seen fine on the port bow of M/V
Saipan Express. They took it as a lead and sailed towards it. “At about 9:45
p.m., brightness appeared at about 50 feet off the port shoulder of M/V Saipan
Express. Below, we saw a man holding a burning Hand Flare. He was standing on
the bow of the boat while another man was lying near the stern of the boat,”
recalls Cheung.
The sighting of CM 285 was immediately reported to EMO in Saipan, who later
advised the team that a US Coast Guard Rescue 13 helicopter would be dispatched
to the scene from Guam. Further, EMO requested M/V Saipan Express to stand by CM
285 until Rescue 13 arrives the scene. At about 9:55 p.m., a radio contact was
established between M/V Saipan Express and Rescue 13, who instructed the team to
turn all its working lights to the maximum.
Cheung further recounts that at 10:15 p.m. Rescue 13 flew over the distress
scene. “The rescue operation by Rescue 13 commenced at 10: 28 p.m. when it
lowered a man on a strap to try and pick up the survivors. The first survivor
was picked up at 10:29 p.m. and the second survivor at 10:40 p.m. And, Saipan
Express was standing by at about 150 to 200 feet away from the boat CM 285
during the whole rescue operation. There were times that the boat could not be
seen from Saipan Express because the boat was lying at the trough of the
waves,” informs Cheung.
M/V Saipan Express was then advised by EMO to head back to Tinian upon
confirmation from Rescue 13 that the 2 survivors were safely wheeled onboard.
“From a position some 24 nautical miles from the Tinian Channel, we arrived at
Tinian dock just after midnight… another day has begun!” quips Cheung.
The Latest Entertainment Buzz from Tinian
February, 2000 --
Imagine sitting in a high-class lounge
sipping your favorite drink with your partner and enjoying Tinian’s latest
entertainment showcase. The newly renovated Jackpot Lounge has re-opened its
doors to accommodate a show featuring the Dynasty Show Girls and CNMI’s number
one band, Big Beats.
Put your hands together and welcome the Dynasty Show Girls! 
From New York to Paris let the girls from Russia take you around the world with
their lively dance performances that range from the fiery Spanish duet to sexy
wild cats of the Amazon jungle. Also featured are the can-can and colorful gypsy
dancers to further captivate the audience. The Dynasty Show Girls also perform
contemporary ballet to the tune of Yanni. Each 45-minute performance is repeated
twice nightly. The Dynasty Show Girls garnered their popularity from their
successful debut during the Millennium celebration in Tinian.
Big Beats, managed by Weevo Entertainment, is a local group from Saipan who is
now playing at Tinian Dynasty. Their performances have included 5-star hotels
such as Holiday Inn Manila, and also other night spots in Philippines and Japan.
On Saipan they have performed in popular venues such as the Hard Rock Café and
The Field’s. The band’s varied repertoire range from standard jazz, ballads,
to rock and pop music from the 60s to the current radio hits.
Would
you like to request a favorite song? Each band member has their own remarkable
vocal signature style. The guitarist, Floyd, does a wonderful rendition of
Freddie Mercury’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Hermes could seduce you to the
dance floor with the ballads of Lionel Richie while playing the drums at the
same time. Rock the disco floor with Steve’s impression of the latest Santana
song “Smooth”. Mark, on bass guitar and Cesar, on keyboards also contribute
to the repertoire of the Beatles, Eagles to Bee Gees. The band also includes a
mixture of local favorites and Japanese songs. They perform three sets nightly.
There will also be surprise guest appearances on different nights.
According to reliable sources, negotiations are underway for Tinian Dynasty to
bring in one of the hottest showbands from the Philippines to perform in the
Jackpot Lounge within the next few months.
In the meantime you can see Dynasty Show Girls and Big Beats at the Jackpot
Lounge in the casino from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. nightly except Mondays. Tickets
are $20 per person, and includes one round of drink. Entry to the casino is
restricted to 21 years and older.
Call Tinian Dynasty for information and reservations at (670) 328-2233 and
include yourself for a wonderful weekend of fun, entertainment and romance. Grab
your partner for an unforgettable getaway to Paradise!
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