On 18th July 2017, the Höegh-Wallem managed vessel, the Höegh Singapore was involved in a rescue operation in the mid North Atlantic Ocean.
The Höegh Singapore, a Pure Car & Truck Carrier (PCTC), manned through Höegh Fleet Services in China, was on her way from Halifax, Canada to Antwerp, Belgium when the team onboard heard a distress call about a sailing boat in trouble. The call came in at 8:27 UTC on 17th July from the Joint Rescue Centre in Halifax. The Master, Captain Wang Shao Ping immediately ordered for the vessel to change course to begin search and rescue measures.
After a whole day of searching the area, the sailing boat in distress was finally spotted late in the night. At 1:05 UTC on 18th July, the person (a Canadian citizen) onboard was successfully rescued and brought onboard the Höegh Singapore. The sailing boat had experienced a catastrophic failure of the rig; rendering it unable to continue its voyage and very likely unseaworthy, a fate only made worse by the very rough sea conditions at the time.
Major Mark Norris, who is the Commanding Officer of the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Halifax and a Royal Canadian Air Force Pilot told Captain Wang Shao Ping, “I want to personally thank you for your quick and efficient response to our tasking. You were instrumental in saving the life of the sailor. You and your crew should be very proud of the service you provided.”
After being brought safely onboard the Höegh Singapore, the Canadian citizen was then transferred back to Halifax and has recovered well from his ordeal at sea.
Source: Wallem