A real world heroic Captain

Enigma · 05-19-06, 07:03 PM

GEORGETOWN, South Carolina (AP) -- The 75-year-old captain of a capsized charter boat stayed in the water with a struggling passenger for hours before suffering an apparent heart attack and disappearing underwater, authorities said.

That passenger and all five others who had been aboard the 26-foot catamaran were rescued Thursday by a Coast Guard helicopter 15 miles off the South Carolina coast, Coast Guard Capt. John Cameron said.

The search for the captain, Robert Clarke, was suspended hours later.

"We saturated the area with our search. If he was alive, we would have found him," Coast Guard Petty Officer Donnie Brzuska said Friday.

Clark and his mate were taking their five passengers on a fishing expedition when the 26-foot catamaran Super Suds II capsized Wednesday about 15 miles off Murrells Inlet, authorities said.

The men clamored up on the hull, Cameron said. Then, "some half-hour later, another wave washed them off," he said.

Five men got back to the craft, but passenger Mike Robinson was having trouble swimming, Cameron said.

Clarke "yelled back to his mate to take care of the (others) on the boat and that he would stay with Mr. Robinson," Cameron said.

The two got separated from the others. Robinson told officials that at some point in the night, Clarke had "some sort of cardiac event," Cameron said.

Robinson tried to administer CPR and hold onto Clarke but lost his grip as hypothermia set in, and he saw Clarke go underwater, Cameron said.

The others were rescued after spending 17 1/2 hours in the 70 degree water. Robinson was found holding onto a life jacket. The other five were clinging to the overturned boat.

Some were being treated for hypothermia, Cameron said.

Clarke, of Murrells Inlet, had saved lives before, including jumping into the water to rescue a man years ago, son Vaughn Clarke said.

"He was a captain," he said. "A captain takes care of his people. Just like in the military, you take care of the people you are responsible for."

Kpt. Lehmann · 05-20-06, 10:01 AM

Rest in peace Robert Clarke.

[tosses wreath on the waves]

Frankenstein · 05-20-06, 11:22 AM

I lost my father back in 74 when he fell overboard and drowned.

Any man who risks this type of death to save another deserves to be called a hero.

Rest in Peace Cpt. Clarke....

05-20-06, 11:24 AM

Amen.

U-104 · 05-20-06, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

Any man who risks this type of death to save another deserves to be called a hero.

Rose · 05-20-06, 01:43 PM

amen.

SeaStorm · 05-20-06, 05:43 PM

Amen.

Kaleun · 05-21-06, 04:38 AM

Amen - Rest in Peace

05-19-06, 07:03 PM	#1
Enigma The Old Man Join Date: May 2005 Location: At comms depth, obviously. Posts: 1,476 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	A real world heroic Captain GEORGETOWN, South Carolina (AP) -- The 75-year-old captain of a capsized charter boat stayed in the water with a struggling passenger for hours before suffering an apparent heart attack and disappearing underwater, authorities said. That passenger and all five others who had been aboard the 26-foot catamaran were rescued Thursday by a Coast Guard helicopter 15 miles off the South Carolina coast, Coast Guard Capt. John Cameron said. The search for the captain, Robert Clarke, was suspended hours later. "We saturated the area with our search. If he was alive, we would have found him," Coast Guard Petty Officer Donnie Brzuska said Friday. Clark and his mate were taking their five passengers on a fishing expedition when the 26-foot catamaran Super Suds II capsized Wednesday about 15 miles off Murrells Inlet, authorities said. The men clamored up on the hull, Cameron said. Then, "some half-hour later, another wave washed them off," he said. Five men got back to the craft, but passenger Mike Robinson was having trouble swimming, Cameron said. Clarke "yelled back to his mate to take care of the (others) on the boat and that he would stay with Mr. Robinson," Cameron said. The two got separated from the others. Robinson told officials that at some point in the night, Clarke had "some sort of cardiac event," Cameron said. Robinson tried to administer CPR and hold onto Clarke but lost his grip as hypothermia set in, and he saw Clarke go underwater, Cameron said. The others were rescued after spending 17 1/2 hours in the 70 degree water. Robinson was found holding onto a life jacket. The other five were clinging to the overturned boat. Some were being treated for hypothermia, Cameron said. Clarke, of Murrells Inlet, had saved lives before, including jumping into the water to rescue a man years ago, son Vaughn Clarke said. "He was a captain," he said. "A captain takes care of his people. Just like in the military, you take care of the people you are responsible for." __________________ "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." -Mark Twain

05-20-06, 10:01 AM	#2
Kpt. Lehmann GWX Project Director Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The Republic of Texas Posts: 6,992 Downloads: 124 Uploads: 0	Rest in peace Robert Clarke. [tosses wreath on the waves] __________________ www.thegreywolves.com All you need is good men. - Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock

05-20-06, 11:22 AM	#3
Frankenstein Watch Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 22 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I lost my father back in 74 when he fell overboard and drowned. Any man who risks this type of death to save another deserves to be called a hero. Rest in Peace Cpt. Clarke....

05-20-06, 11:24 AM	#4
Sailor Steve Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Amen.

05-20-06, 01:43 PM	#6
Rose Grey Wolf Join Date: May 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 966 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	amen.

05-20-06, 05:43 PM	#7
SeaStorm Bosun Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 310 meters above sea level, (Qc) Posts: 63 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Amen.

05-21-06, 04:38 AM	#8
Kaleun Chief Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 329 Downloads: 266 Uploads: 0	Amen - Rest in Peace