Sep 08 Tongan port visit and a yacht rescue
With the ship’s first port visit to Nuka’alofa behind her, Resolution sailed for the survey grounds in and around the Tongan island of Tongatapu on Mon 29 September. After the initial euphoria of being in the tropical setting of the south Pacific died down, the ship steadied herself into the routine of 24*7 survey, survey, survey. The constant round of salinity investigations, temperature recordings and ever present ‘ping’ of the multi-beam echosounder soon become the norm, as the ship performed in what she does best. To break up this routine slightly, a weekly BBQ was programmed and sporties or the dreaded Whole Ship Co-ordinator’s PT session were introduced to the newer members of the ship’s company.
Image Right: XO, LTCDR CONWAY, conducting survey amongst ships around Nuka'alofa (NIS-08-190).
Half way through the week, in the early hours of Saturday morning, the Navigating Officer, who was the Officer of the Watch at the time, received a ‘Mayday’ call from a large yacht in distress, aground on a reef just outside of Nuka’alofa harbour. Whilst informing the Commanding Officer of the transmission, the M/V Nor Sky also answered the call, and together the two ships proceeded to the stricken vessel. RES’ RHIB was subsequently launched with the WSC taking several seamen to provide whatever aid was required to the stricken yacht whilst RES prepared the smaller inflatable boat in case it was also required. Eventually the sailing vessel was refloated with M/V Nor Sky providing the controlled grunt by pulling the yacht bodily off the reef with Resolution’s seaboat expertly heeling the stranded boat to one side thereby providing under keel clearance as the MV Nor Sky pulled the yacht clear. With the yacht safely underway, retiring to Nuka’alofa marina for minor repairs and a chance for nerves to recover, RES continued her survey operations. In the calmer light of day, the availability of both Nor Sky and RES capabilities within 30 minutes of calling a mayday, must have seemed like a miracle to the stranded sailors.
Above Left Image: Preparing the Zodiac for yacht rescue (NIS-08-191).
Above Right Image: RES RHIB and NOR SKY assist in Mayday rescue (NIS-08-192).
While the survey line miles continued to accumulate, a small group of ship’s company were able to go ashore to the island of Pangiamotu and experience some real ‘island life’ during the weekend at sea. A short time at anchor also provided opportunity to trial the local fishing, although the Wardroom fishing party encouraged by the CO drew a disappointing blank, with no fish being landed. The Supply Officer assured the team that bites were felt but they kept getting away – further updates may be required!