BOLO for Missing Rower South Pacific

Jun 16, 2023 | Resolved

united states coast guard

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 14th District Hawaii and the Pacific
Contact: 14th District Public Affairs
Office: (808) 535-3230
After Hours: HawaiiPacific@uscg.mil
14th District online newsroom

Coast Guard, partners rescue ocean rower off Tahiti

06/17/2023 02:17 AM EDT

HONOLULU — Coast Guard, Rescue Coordination Center Tahiti, and merchant vessel Baker Spirit crews rescued a mariner in distress 1,210 nautical miles north of Tahiti, Friday
NA

BAKER SPIRIT is a Crude oil tanker built in 2009 by NANTONG RONGSHENG SHIPBUILDING – SHANGHAI, CHINA. Currently sailing under the flag of Bahamas. Formerly also known as TOSKA, TOSCA. It’s gross tonnage is 83545 tons. Her length overall is 274.5 meters and she is enroute to Honolulu.

Many thanks to all on the ship, the USCG and all mariners who helped with this remote rescue.

Broadcast Version For Maritime Mobile Service Network and Other Networks 

BOLO NE of Marquesas, French Polynesia:
Vessel: “SMILES ROWBOAT”, MMSI 338399051, U.S. flag

UPDATE: June 16, 2023

New coordinates: Coordinates from his PLB:

07 59.93 S

130 53.93 W

Detected at 15Jun23 1952 UTC

Aaron Carotta on “Smiles”, a 22 foot ocean rowing vessel, has lost all power and charging capability. He has no comms nor functional navigation equipment. He is also low on food. He therefore set off his PLB on May 28 at 05°15S 119°00W. It pinged only briefly. There was a second ping received on May 31. The new coordinates are as follows:

The coordinates of the two beacons showed movement of 180 miles @ 266°.

Please be on the lookout when approaching that area and report any sightings. Anybody who can help search or BOLO for Aaron should FIRST be in touch with JRCC Tahiti AND ALSO with our FB group to ensure good communication/coordination.

Contact info for Tahiti JRCC:
Email: contact@jrcc.pf
Phone: 0068 940 541 616

FB Group to contact: In Search of Adventure Aaron Carotta
https://www.facebook.com/groups/186285441048310/

If you have means to contact other vessels which may be in the area, please send them the above info, or post on the Facebook page above so one of Aaron’s team can try to reach them.

130901Z JUN 23
HYDROPAC 1968/23(83).
EASTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.
DNC 06.
SEVEN METER VESSEL SMILES ROWBOAT, DISABLED
AND UNREPORTED. LAST KNOWN POSITION IN
05-15.00S 123-50.00W ON 31 MAY. VESSELS IN
VICINITY REQUESTED TO KEEP A SHARP LOOKOUT,
ASSIST IF POSSIBLE.
REPORTS TO JRCC TAHITI,
PHONE: 689 4054 1616,
E-MAIL: CONTACT@JRCC.PF.//