CaboRon - 4-11-2009 at 05:36 AM
Search and Rescue Station in Ensenada Gets New Vessels
By: Capt. Pat Rains | Thursday, April 09, 2009 11:57:00 AM
Last updated: Thursday, April 09, 2009 11:57:00 AM
ENSENADA, Mexico -- Starting this month, the Mexican navy will begin using two new vessels dedicated to maritime search and rescue ("busqueda y
rescate").
According to Capt. Pedro Mata Cervantes, commander of the search and rescue station located at the Second Naval Region base at Ensenada, two new
33-foot Defender class vessels will be operating off the Baja California Peninsula, to ensure maritime security in coastal waters, even during stormy
weather. They have at least a 60-mile range and are specially equipped for search and rescue operations and maritime security.
The new Defender class vessels will amplify the Ensenada station's existing fleet. Among those are several oceanic-range navy ships, at least two
47-foot Textron Marine self-righting boats designed for rescue in adverse weather conditions, several self-righting motor life boats (MLBs) and
rigid-hull rapid-launch high-speed inflatables, plus long-range helicopters.
Marines patrolling the Baja California coast in the new search and rescue fleet have received special training -- not only in handling maritime
security, emergencies and evacuations, but also in radio and other communications technologies, according to the navy's Web site. The operations use
SARSAT message signals and COSPAS regulations employed around the globe.
Ensenada's search and rescue station opened last year, as part of a chain of maritime security bases operated by the Mexican navy (Armada de Mexico).
Similar stations opened in 2007 at Los Cabos in Baja California Sur; Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco; Huatulco in Oaxaca; and on the Caribbean side at Isla
Mujeres in Quintana Roo.
Commander Mata said his search and rescue station was created in 2008 as part of Mexico's promise to guarantee maritime security. Many yachts and
pleasureboaters have already been rescued from Baja California's coastal waters in operations ranging from survivor searches after man-overboard
situations to evacuating people experiencing medical emergencies from vessels in distress.
Ensenada's search and rescue station monitors VHF Channel 16 on a 24-hour, seven-day basis, as well as HF frequency 2182 MHz on single sideband radio.
These are the same emergency frequencies and channels used by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Commander Mata said the Ensenada station has equipment dedicated to digital selective calling (DSC), and the direct phone number for search and rescue
operations is 01152 (646) 177-3812. The official e-mail address for search and rescue is ensarensenada@semar.gob.mx.
Search and rescue operations are performed in cooperation with neighboring states and countries by mutual regional agreements, according to the
Mexican navy's statements. Boaters calling for rescue in a mayday situation should state their citizenship and exact location, in order to avoid
confusion and speed rescue.
"This is a great emergency service to boaters," said Fito Espinosa, dockmaster at Hotel Coral Marina in Ensenada. "It's a military operation for
emergencies, available to U.S. boaters."
However, the Mexican navy's search and rescue operation is not designed to any offer towing services for boaters with common mechanical problems, such
as boats running out of fuel or having dead batteries.
desertcpl - 4-11-2009 at 07:47 PM
60 mile range, that not alot?
what do they think that an emergency is,, if a boater is dead in the water and diftering farther out to sea,, or coming into the shore and maybe
rocks? I would think that to be of concern.
not to bash this ,, its all good, alot better to have some thing