Many of you have asked about the rescue the Hi'ialakai just did. I am sorry I do not have better photos of the actual action, but I stayed on the ship and the island was too far for my camera to get good photos. However, I have photos of the launch and return, and can share some details of what the crew did.
We sent two small boats in to get 7 people off the island. Their camp was completely wiped out in the middle of the night. Our one small inflatable boat (called the Avon) went in with a rescue swimmer and he got the people from the beach to the boat-it was too rough to beach the boat. That small boat can not hold many people and took them to another small boat, called Safe Boat, which brought all 7 back to the ship. While they came aboard, the Avon went back and retrieved some possessions the 7 people were able to rescue quickly the night of the tsunami-personal things. My roommate and I received one of the girls from the island and she is sleeping on our floor. Most of them came on with no shoes and wet, so we gave them some clothes (until they got their back packs) and got them settled. They seemed very happy to see fresh food and take warm showers...and sleep! Many of them have understandably had trouble sleeping since the tsunami. Above all though, they wanted internet to let their loved ones know they were safe aboard a ship. Their stories are really amazing and a humbling reminder of how short life is and just how lucky we all are.
We are now in transit to Midway Island, to drop them off tomorrow morning. We have hit some pretty good seas and are rocking a lot right now. Then we will head to our original destination before we got this call, Wake Island, to do some work. In port Saipan after that. I will be sure to keep you all posted! Lots of love, Lauren
We sent two small boats in to get 7 people off the island. Their camp was completely wiped out in the middle of the night. Our one small inflatable boat (called the Avon) went in with a rescue swimmer and he got the people from the beach to the boat-it was too rough to beach the boat. That small boat can not hold many people and took them to another small boat, called Safe Boat, which brought all 7 back to the ship. While they came aboard, the Avon went back and retrieved some possessions the 7 people were able to rescue quickly the night of the tsunami-personal things. My roommate and I received one of the girls from the island and she is sleeping on our floor. Most of them came on with no shoes and wet, so we gave them some clothes (until they got their back packs) and got them settled. They seemed very happy to see fresh food and take warm showers...and sleep! Many of them have understandably had trouble sleeping since the tsunami. Above all though, they wanted internet to let their loved ones know they were safe aboard a ship. Their stories are really amazing and a humbling reminder of how short life is and just how lucky we all are.
We are now in transit to Midway Island, to drop them off tomorrow morning. We have hit some pretty good seas and are rocking a lot right now. Then we will head to our original destination before we got this call, Wake Island, to do some work. In port Saipan after that. I will be sure to keep you all posted! Lots of love, Lauren
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