Piranema to the Rescue... In True Teekay Spirit Fashion - Teekay

October 13, 2016

Six fishermen are alive thanks to the rescue efforts and quick actions of the Piranema Spirit crew

By: Jostein Ferkingstad, Offshore Installation Manager, Piranema Spirit

It is with great satisfaction and as a proud OIM that I can report that the crew onboard Piranema Spirit, with support from the stand-by vessel has completed a successful rescue of six fishermen. Early morning on October 7, just after 5am local time (Aracaju, Brazil), one of the crew members observed a person in the sea hanging on to one of the mooring lines. The ‘man overboard’ alarm was sounded and shortly after, the person was picked up by the Fast Rescue Boat. The rescued fisherman was one of six persons onboard a fishing boat that capsized around 10 pm the night before. He swam for approximately five hours before reaching the Piranema Spirit to get help. He quickly informed the rescue crew that there were five more people in the boat that sank and they were holding tight to a lifebuoy while waiting for help. The stand-by vessel was informed and started a search. At approximately 05:45 am local time, the five remaining fishermen were picked up and brought onboard the stand-by vessel. And not a moment too soon… the five fishermen expressed they were close to giving up at times… after all, they had been in the water for nearly eight hours! Thankfully, all six fishermen are alive thanks to the rescue efforts and quick actions of the Piranema Spirit crew and were well cared for onboard. The rescue team was very focused on the salvage operation and didn’t hesitate at any time… even when the weather conditions were unfavorable (likely one of the contributing factors that lead to the fishing vessel capsizing the night before.) The first medical examination indicated that they were in physically good condition, but obviously tired and very happy to have been rescued. The fishermen were transported to shore by helicopter in order to be sent home to their beloved families. The Piranema crew even started a money collection for them prior to disembarking to ensure that they have some money for food and other essentials. I’m extremely proud about the way the team on board has handled this situation and it is a great pleasure to see that we have contributed to saving the lives of these six fishermen.