Kn-Forest Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On February 5, 2017, a dramatic rescue unfolded in the Atlantic Ocean thanks to the unwavering efforts of the 'KN Forest' and the dedicated crew of a Coast Guard HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter. Approximately 120 nautical miles northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, they came to the aid of Wolfgang Sloma, a 56-year-old Austrian sailor adrift in a life raft. Sloma was navigating his 27-foot Austrian-flagged sailing vessel, the 'Daphni', when disaster struck. A partial mast failure combined with severe hull damage led to the vessel taking on water, ultimately causing it to sink. In a race against time, Sloma deployed the life raft and activated his emergency beacon. At 9:02 a.m. that Sunday, Coast Guard Sector San Juan watchstanders received a distress signal from the 'Daphni' via a 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). Immediately, they coordinated a rescue operation, deploying a HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen to search for the stranded sailor. In their operational response, Coast Guard watchstanders conducted Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) and Automatic Identification System (AIS) callouts to vessels nearby. They also collaborated with the Vienna Rescue Control Center in Austria, which confirmed they had received a distress call from Sloma through his satellite phone. The Coast Guard quickly established contact with Sloma to evaluate his condition. Thankfully, he was wearing a life jacket and had essential supplies onboard his life raft, including signaling flares, GPS, food, a VHF marine radio, and a satellite phone. Upon arrival at the scene, both the Coast Guard helicopter and the 'KN Forest', which had diverted to assist after an AMVER callout, began their rescue efforts. The emergency crew deployed a rescue swimmer, who hoisted Sloma from the life raft and transported him to Air Station Borinquen for a medical evaluation. After receiving care, Sloma declined further medical treatment, grateful for the timely rescue. For more details and pictures from this incredible operation, visit: https://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-rescues-austrian-boater-from-life-raft-in-the-atlantic-ocean/2017/02/06/