On Tue, 9 Oct 2001 09:09:41 -0700, David Hale <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

>Here's the story on MSNBC.
>
>There are at least 8 survivors.
>
>http://www.msnbc.com/news/638825.asp
>
>David H.

I returned from Hong Kong only about an hour ago.  Below was in my
email, from the Peter Hughes' Fleet Newsletter (unedited) of
Date: 09 Oct 01 22:34:10 -0400:


The M/V Wave Dancer, in Belize, became a victim to Hurricane Iris on Monday
evening, October 8.  The vessel carried her full complement of 28
passengers and crew.  To date, we have eight survivors.  The bodies of 18
victims have been recovered.  Two more members of the passengers/crew are
still missing.  This tragedy took place late in the evening on Monday.
Rescue efforts commenced during the "eye" of the Hurricane (around 11:00
pm) from neighboring boats and did not cease until the Hurricane regained
full force.  The efforts immediately resumed this morning as the worst of
the storm passed.  They continue as this message is being sent.


To the families and friends of the passengers and crew who were lost, we
offer our profound condolences and sympathy.


More complete details follow in the form of the press release prepared
today.  We will continue to keep you informed of all developments.  After
further discussion with the families involved, we will keep you advised as
to memorial funds and ongoing efforts to help those directly touched by
this unprecedented event.


To those who have called and written to express their sympathy, our deepest
thanks.  Please use email whenever possible, as we need our phone lines
open to deal with the immediate problems over the next few days.


PRESS RELEASE: M/V WAVE DANCER CAPSIZED BY HURRICANE IRIS


Hurricane Iris, packing 140 mph winds, made landfall in the southern
(Placencia) region of the Central American Country of Belize during the
evening of October 8, 2001, capsizing the liveaboard dive vessel M/V Wave
Dancer with all twenty-eight passengers and crew onboard.  As of Tuesday
afternoon, the bodies of eighteen victims had been recovered.  Eight
survivors have been accounted for, and search and recovery operations are
ongoing.  Two members of the passengers/crew are still missing.


The liveaboard dive vessel M/V Wave Dancer of the Peter Hughes Diving
DANCER FLEET was capsized by a combination of strong wind and surging water
while moored in Big Creek, an area of Southern Belize well known to boaters
for its protection from storms.  Big Creek is approximately 80 miles south
of Belize City, the site of Belize's international airport and the point of
embarkation for Wave Dancer cruises.  No hotel rooms were available in
Belize City to offload the passengers because this area of Belize was
evacuated.  Large portions of Belize City were destroyed by Hurricane
Hattie in 1961.


The Wave Dancer was moored to a pier with other commercial vessels that
routinely use this area as a refuge from storms and hurricanes.  This area
and a similar procedure was used in 1998 to avoid Hurricane Mitch. Despite
following all procedures for securing the vessel during a hurricane, an
unusually strong surge of water apparently lifted the vessel dramatically
right at the pier, snapping all of the stern lines and allowing the wind to
rip the vessel from the pier and capsize it in the middle of the creek.
This occurred during the evening hours, and rescue efforts from neighboring
boats began immediately during the "eye" of the hurricane in late evening.
As the storm resumed rescue efforts were halted for a few hours and
commenced early Tuesday morning when conditions permitted.


According to PHD spokesperson and Executive Vice President Tom
Conlin:  "Our first responsibility in this tragedy is to continue all
search and recovery efforts.  Peter Hughes, President of the company, left
for Belize as soon as we received word of the accident, and will personally
participate in all ongoing efforts.  Helicopters and search boats have been
deployed to the area and are searching all areas of the mangrove system.
All of the families have been contacted to keep them informed about all
details of both victims and survivors. We will provide further information
and a list of passengers and crew once all these facts are confirmed and
the families are notified."


The l20 foot Wave Dancer is part of the Peter Hughes Diving Dancer Fleet of
liveaboard dive vessels. The M/V Wave Dancer had been in operation in
Belize for nine years without incident prior to Hurricane Iris.  The vessel
had been chartered by the Richmond Dive Club of Richmond, VA.


According to British military sources on station in Belize, the most
concentrated force of Hurricane Iris hit an area of the Belize coast 15
miles wide.  This path, featuring the most intense wind and water movement,
was centered directly on the Placencia/Big Creek area.


-----------------

-- Bob.