Request to join search party - Lynyard Cay, Abacos

[RichH]

Im reposting this here from another forum


By:Tom Young
Date: 11/21/2010, 5:04 am
There is a thread I've been following of people concerned for the woman lost onboard that is not yet found. Apparently a group of friends and or family are attempting a local search and asking for help if anyone concerned is in the area.

SEARCH PARTY FORMING FOR LAURA ZEEKOL IN THE ABACOS (near March Harbour, etc -ed)
Can anyone on this site please post to other applicable forums, as a new user I am blocked out from posting and this is time sensitive. Your help is much appreciated!!
A search party is forming to find Laura Zekoll who was lost at Lynyard Cay last week-end during the grounding of Rule 62.
If you know of anyone who is willing to help, please find Meredith Jordan at The Conch Inn (Marsh Harbour, Abacos - ed).
Anyone willing to help this family and the sailing friends Laura Zeekol would be much appreciated.
You can also reach me at lynmidas@aol.com to relay any information.
Thank you so much to so many of you who have helped. Pierre, of sv Echappee, your info is invaluable - we hope to get on Pattie Toler's Cruisers Net 8:15am broadcast this morning.

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/general-discussion-sailing-related/69910-sinking-rule-62-a.html

 

[JVB]

Is the search still active a week after the woman went overboard ? Could anyone survive 8 days with only a PFD ?

 

[RichH]

Supposedly now this is only a 'recovery'.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Grounding, recovery, survival

Well if it was a grounding it was in shallow water, perhaps she made it ashore and ..... time will tell.

 

[Scott B]

Supposedly now this is only a 'recovery'.

I have followed this over the past week on the other forums. I have yet to see any confirmation of that. This is a very trying time for her family and friends. Please don't add any information that is not based on fact. There is enough misinformation and opinions already on this tradegy.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I've seen this thread on the abaco fourm (coconut telegraph). and some others.

I also know that area, and still wonder what the captain was thinking trying to enter abaco at little harbor (or sandy key).

the ALL WEATHER entrance is North Man-of-War channel.... get the dodge guide for abaco! that cut often has breaking waves, and is not recommended in any kind of seas....

so sad....

 

[RichH]

The area at Lynyard Cay is heavily studded with reefs, there is essentially no 'beach' just undercut, eroded and rotted sharp limestone and 'coquina'. Every 'nook and cranny' is going to have to be searched if a successful recovery is to be affected. Its going to take a LOT of searchers on top of and under the water to get this very sad job accomplished. So if you are currently in the Marsh Harbour area and can help out ... .

These (unmarked) shallow 'cuts' are usually impossible to pass through during anything over very moderate/slack conditions - definitely not at night and not in 20+ ft. swells/waves, or when the cuts are 'raging', etc. BTW - The 'Whale cut' north of Man-o-war can be impassible for days or more at a time.

 

[Salty]

My heart goes out to the family. I read about this last week and was hoping that she made it to one of the islands. Apparently she was crewing on a boat that was part of the Annual Caribbean 1500 race/cruise that left from Hampton VA to the BVI. Somehow they changed plans and diverted to the Bahamas instead. I am so sorry to hear that they haven’t found her.

 

[Scott B]

From the Facebook page set up to aid in the search

Zorrest Pennell Millman
I just got off the phone with Mike. (Mike is Angie's husband. Angie is Laura's sister & only sibling.) With great sadness, a heavy heart, & tear-filled eyes, I want to share with you that Laura is gone, but, only her physical body is gone. Her bright spirit will live on in the lives of those she touched so specially!

Zorrest Pennell Millman Angie, her parents, & Laura's friends found no sign of Laura in their search for her in the Bahamas. They've been there searching since Sun. Even though it was appearing that this would be the outcome, the finality of the news is heartbreak...ing! My family & I are lifting up my dear, sweet friend, Angie, her family, & Laura's friends in prayer! They're all scheduled to arrive back in Atlanta at 5:40 pm. A memorial service will be held, but, there are no details yet. Prayers for all of you who are touched by this loss!



Zorrest Pennell Millman
Angie just called me from the Bahamas. She is getting ready to board her plane to come back home to Atlanta. She asked me to post this message from her - Laura's sister, Angie, their parents, & Laura's best friends, along with Volunteer/Warden Brent Bass did an extensive, exhaustive, & massive search for Laura by both boat and on land by foot. We, the family & friends of Laura will be forever grateful to Brent Bass! He helped our family do everything humanly possible to help us locate Laura. He is a wonderful man! As a volunteer, he gave freely of his time & we love him dearly! Abaco Police Authorities have also been beyond caring and compassionate! We thank them dearly from the bottom of our hearts as well! The family sadly reports that we're returning home without Laura!