Brave rescue at sea
- By Richard Branson -
- Oct 30, 2012
There are many everyday heroes who we turn to in times of disaster. Yesterday we saw countless heroes - fire fighters, police officers, public transit workers, emergency teams, neighbours - who helped those affected by the deadly super storm Sandy.
The Coast Guard is just one group that came to the rescue. Watch this incredible video of the Coast Guard rescuing 14 people from the HMS Bounty, the replica of a large ship that was featured in films including Mutiny on the Bounty, Treasure Island and Pirates of the Caribbean.
14 people were saved from life rafts while 90 miles adrift of the shore in the Atlantic Ocean. Two people remain missing and HMS Bounty sank.
The Coast Guard used helicopters, baskets and swimmers to save the passengers in 40 mph winds, 18 feet waves and limited visibility during a hurricane.
You can hear one of the rescuers saying “I think I just threw out my shoulder" with two more people left to pull up into the basket, but they still get the job done. It is a testament to the hard work of the Coast Guard. They are extremely calm and co-ordinated and are a credit to their profession.
As no stranger to being rescued at sea, and on a couple of occasions by the US Coast Guard themselves. the video is a stark reminder of their incredible courage and dedication in protecting people’s lives.
My family sailed in HMS Bounty this year in the British Virgin Islands and we got to know the crew and captain. It is extremely sad that he is missing and very sad that such a beautiful boat is now at the bottom of the ocean.
By Richard Branson. Founder of Virgin Group
