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Southern 146/01
1 October 2001
SEARCH CONTINUES FOR
MISSING ATLANTIC ROWER
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Nenad Belic
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Falmouth
Coastguard are continuing to co-ordinate the search for the
missing American Atlantic rower, 62 year old retired Chicago
cardiologist Nenad Belic, after an emergency beacon was set off
230 miles west of Ireland.
The RAF rescue helicopter that was scrambled from Chivenor
identified the light of the emergency position-indicating radio
beacon (EPIRB) during the night floating and detached from the
vessel. Resources are now searching for the rowing boat and Dr
Belic. A third Nimrod is currently on its way to the scene (two
were used during the night) and a fishing vessel is also on scene
and searching. A chemical tanker is expected to join the search at
12.00 midday. |
Simon
Rabett, Falmouth Coastguard Watch Manager said: "Conditions
for searching are difficult with 58 knot
west-south-westerly winds and very rough seas. We have had to
release one of the ships which was searching due to the bad
weather.
"The helicopter has now returned to base as it has run out of
fuel. In long distance incidents such as these we can only use
helicopters for specific tasks - such as finding the EPIRB."
The rower, Nenad Belic set off in his boat, 'The Lun' (short for
lunatic – really!) on 11 May from Cape Cod on the West Coast of
America, heading for Bantry Bay in Ireland. His Emergency Position
Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) was set off at 9.30 pm last night.
Belic's red cedar boat, measuring 21 feet long by 5 feet wide, is
mostly enclosed to protect him from sun and salt sores. A canopy
permits him to look about. The oars stick out of ports on either
side of the vessel.
Link
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