MS Prinsendam (1972)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
MS Prisendam sinking off Alaska with USCG HH-3F 1980.jpeg
MS Prinsendam on fire off Alaska, 1980
History
Netherlands
NamePrinsendam
OperatorHolland America Line
BuilderDe Merwede in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Netherlands
CostUS$27 million
Launched7 July 1972
In service1973
Out of serviceOctober 4, 1980
IdentificationIMO number: 7224734
FateSank on October 11, 1980, in the Gulf of Alaska
General characteristics
Length427 ft (130 m)
Capacity350 passengers
Crew200

MS Prinsendam, a Holland-America Line cruise ship built at Shipyard de Merwede in the Netherlands in 1973, was 427 feet long and typically carried about 350 passengers and 200 crew members. The ship was sailing through the Gulf of Alaska, approximately 120 miles south of Yakutat, Alaska, at midnight on October 4, 1980, when a fire broke out in the engine room. The vessel's master, Cornelis Dirk Wabeke (April 13, 1928 – August 16, 2011), declared the fire out of control one hour later and the Prinsendam sent a radio call requesting immediate assistance. The United States Coast Guard at Communications Station Kodiak, Alaska requested that the Prinsendam send out an SOS, but the captain declined. Chief Radio Officer Jack van der Zee sent one out anyway about a half-hour later, which alerted nearby vessels.[1]

United States Coast Guard, USAF Air Rescue Service, and Royal Canadian Air Force CH-113 helicopters which had greater range, rescued the passengers and crew. Two USAF pararescuemen were inserted into one of the lifeboats. This boat was the last rescued with a flare spotted by lookout SN Louis Roderick aboard the USCGC Woodrush which was then relayed to the onscene commander, USCGC Boutwell. The cutters USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719), USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717), and USCGC Woodrush (WLB-407) responded in concert with other vessels in the area. The Sohio Intrepid and the Williamsburgh assisted on scene. The Williamsburgh served a vital role as a communications platform and was the first vessel to arrive on scene and take passengers on board. The Sohio Intrepid served as a platform for one of the USAF helicopters that was unable to refuel in flight. The rescue took place during a period of steadily deteriorating weather. The passenger vessel capsized and sank on October 8. The rescue is particularly noteworthy because of the distance traveled by the rescuers, the coordination of independent organizations, and the fact that all 520 passengers and crew were rescued without loss of life or serious injury.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ "Manuscript log of supertanker Williamsburgh". 4 October 1980. Archived from the original on 1 December 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Top Ten Coast Guard Rescues". Coast Guard News. Jul 31, 2007. Retrieved 19 December 2019.

External links[]

Coordinates: 55°52′59″N 136°27′00″W / 55.883°N 136.450°W / 55.883; -136.450

Retrieved from ""