SAN DIEGO – MAYDAY…MAYDAY…MAYDAY…when those words come over the radio, at sea, and over one hundred miles offshore, things happen fast, if they don’t, there’s a good chance that people will die.
The Pride arrived on the bank shortly after 8 a.m., by 10 we were in a solid bluefin bite, and those who had suffered the pounding night ride offshore had finally emerged to a gloomy, windy and equally bumpy morning. The front that was expected much later in the day appeared to have arrived early. The winds had freshened and there was a solid three-foot chop on the 4- to 5-foot running sea. Not an entirely bad morning, but one that was rough enough to demand your attention when moving about the boat or fighting a fish.
At approximately 10:43 a.m. on the Pride, it was announced, “get your gear in everybody…now! We have a mayday! Jig Strike has lost her bow and is sinking fast! Five minutes later, the anchor was up, all lines were in and the crew was methodically preparing the boat for what would come next: throwing lines were coiled at the cleats, fender buoys were tied bow, stern and amidships, and the captain was smoke holing towards the unfolding potential disaster.
The Islander and Legend were the first vessels to arrive on scene and Legend assumed the responsibility of rescuing the crew and passengers. She held within 50 yards of the sinking vessel, and the captain was directing other boats as they arrived. The crew of Legend passed a line to a 65-person life raft, and the rescued crew and passengers were quickly offloaded.
