What Crew Members Say About Pan-Topaz

In a dramatic rescue operation on May 4, 2014, the bulk carrier 'Pan Topaz', which was making its way from Newcastle to Taichung, came to the aid of the beleaguered crew of the catamaran 'One World' off the Sunshine Coast. At approximately 3 a.m., the vessel's skipper, Wesley Garner, a mariner from the United States, and his crew—comprising three males and one female—faced a perilous situation after their catamaran began taking on water. Garner, who owned the catamaran, was en route from New Zealand to Brisbane, intending to sell the vessel for around $700,000. The catamaran was located 16 nautical miles from the shore when, just after 2 a.m., it was heavily impacted by severe 35-knot westerly winds and 3-meter seas. The crew quickly realized their predicament as water poured over the floorboards, complicating their attempts to locate the source of the leak. Despite having three bilge pumps operational, they were unable to stem the flow of water. The situation escalated when the starboard engine failed, prompting them to issue a mayday call. An emergency beacon was activated around 1:30 a.m., leading the 'Pan Topaz' to respond promptly. Following the successful rescue, the crew was transported to safety by a pilot boat from Mooloolaba. Unfortunately, the 50-foot catamaran 'One World' is believed to have sunk beyond recovery. Garner expressed his gratitude to the captain and crew of the 'Pan Topaz' for their hospitality and quick response, noting the emotional weight of their mission as the last mayday they'd experienced had resulted in an untraceable crew.

On February 25, 2013, a crew member aboard the bulk carrier 'STX Topaz' suffered a severe accident, resulting in the loss of a finger while the vessel was navigating near Dumaran Island in Araceli, Palawan. The unfortunate incident took place approximately 33 nautical miles northeast of Dumaran Island. The Coast Guard District Palawan (CGDPAL) received urgent reports from the Coast Guard Action Center in Manila about the injured crew member's critical condition. In response to the emergency, CGDPAL promptly dispatched the search and rescue vessel 'Romblon (SARV 3503)' at 11:45 a.m. The vessel set course from its location near Tubbataha Reef to the designated rendezvous point with the STX Topaz. The rescue team arrived on the scene by 3:10 p.m., and by 4:05 p.m., the injured crew member was successfully transferred onto the rescue vessel. The crew member was swiftly transported to Puerto Princesa City, where he received urgent medical attention at Palawan Adventist Hospital. Meanwhile, the STX Topaz resumed its journey, heading towards its next destination in Tarakan, Indonesia.