Search and Rescue - Scubaboard Staff Member - Northernone - Missing in Cozumel

[-JD-]

If he is on the orange line, Mine hunting squadron HM-15 or HM-14 will see him. They have all kinds of groovy instrumentation in those birds, and are here in Key West for exercises...

I just spoke to a friend in the USCG R&D Center, where the SAROPS models are developed and used.
He suggested this site: EDS Viewer. This is the data the USCG uses, and probably the Mexican CG too; the Mexicans also have the SAROPS model, but not the latest version.

For example:
View attachment 510473
and this time series for the location of the circle west of Cozumel:
View attachment 510474

Does anybody know if the US Coast Guard and Military have been alerted to the situation so they will be looking?

 

[mtngoat2674]

If he is on the orange line, Mine hunting squadron HM-15 or HM-14 will see him. They have all kinds of groovy instrumentation in those birds, and are here in Key West for exercises...

I just heard the exact same thing. I think it's a good bet he would wind up there, or slightly north of that line at the moment. I can see the feasibility of the current dragging him toward the keys. Hopefully he can hang in there.

 

[Sloeber]

If he is on the orange line, Mine hunting squadron HM-15 or HM-14 will see him. They have all kinds of groovy instrumentation in those birds, and are here in Key West for exercises...

For how many days will they be in the area? I don't think Cameron would reach the Key West area until sometime tomorrow.

 

[mtngoat2674]

Does anybody know if the US Coast Guard and Military have been alerted to the situation so they will be looking?

Yes, that is my question. Would make things easier for the people I know in the Keys to get involved if the CG is aware.

 

[-JD-]

-snip-
The family has also chartered a helicopter out of Cancun to search for us. At the present time all sight-seeing planes we can locate are booked full and unable to assist. So we are still searching for planes. If anyone can help on this it would be greatly appreciated.
-snip-

Donated. Keep the airplanes in the air.

They need planes to be available, unfortunately.

I did some research, and bringing private US aircraft into Mexico can be -byzantine- if the pilot is not experienced and very up on exact procedures (think hours of red-tape, seizures, etc.) so getting US planes down to do a COZ/CUN based search is probably impractical.
The orange line is probably becoming doable from KW & SW Florida for long-legged piston twins or turbo props. Too far out for a piston single to do safely, especially at low altitude. The problem is not just getting to the search area and back safely, but being able to put in worthwhile time on station actually searching.

 

[Sloeber]

Does anybody know if the US Coast Guard and Military have been alerted to the situation so they will be looking?

Yes, I have personally spoke with the US Coast Guard Key West Sector and provided them the information. I was told by the "officer of the day" in Key West that he has provided our information to the Command Center, and will contact me if any further information is needed.

 

[ajtoady]

Donated!! Followed his posts and have nothing but respect for this man, based on his demeanor in posts and replies. Not a very religious person, but am sending positive vibes. Hoping for the best!

 

[DandyDon]

This was a good picture.....in 1943. A lot has been learned since then. One of the local/regional variations NOT shown in that old chart is the Loop Current that may or may not exist, with a variable location that depends kin part on the flow through the Yucatan Strait. The chart I showed in post #176 shows that not only is the Loop Current in play right now, it is pretty much hugging the Campeche Banks north of the Yucatan, which in turn very much affects where the surface currents are going. One searches based on recent information....and it looks like the yellow line in post #176 starts out pretty well....

Yes, yes, I am confident that more knowledgeable members like yourself and the SAR have better understandings of the currents than I. Your post #176 is impressive, but beyond my comprehension, so I offered the simplistic view - knowing from experience that some don't even know about the north Atlantic gyre.

And after Cameron is found, rescued, treated for the effects of floating so long, and gets back online here - we are going to discuss PLBs & dive canisters. He posted about maybe getting one a few years back. I just packed mine up this morning to send off for it's 5½ year battery service. I'd be embarrassed to ever have to use my ACR 2881, but confident that the company will replace it for free if I ever need to.

 

[mtngoat2674]

They need planes to be available, unfortunately.

I did some research, and bringing private US aircraft into Mexico can be -byzantine- if the pilot is not experienced and very up on exact procedures (think hours of red-tape, seizures, etc.) so getting US planes down to do a COZ/CUN based search is probably impractical.
The orange line is probably becoming doable from KW & SW Florida for long-legged piston twins or turbo props. Too far out for a piston single to do safely, especially at low altitude. The problem is not just getting to the search area and back safely, but being able to put in worthwhile time on station actually searching.

I will not go into detail, but I have a couple of pilots willing to forgo the "official" issues re: Mexican/Cuban airspace. Knowing whether or not USCG is aware of the search or not would help them immensely.

 

[mtngoat2674]

Yes, I have personally spoke with the US Coast Guard Key West Sector and provided them the information. I was told by the "officer of the day" in Key West that he has provided our information to the Command Center, and will contact me if any further information is needed.

Thank you, much appreciated. I will relay this to my assets. Hopefully the strings pulled will unravel any red tape. No effort is too small.