He contacted Coast Guard RCC Norfolk SAR controllers, who diverted an Argentinean merchant vessel to the foundering sailboat’s location. “(The passengers on board the Evangeline C) had the choice of continuing to drift without steerage or battery power, in rough weather conditions, or abandon ship. When the Argentinean freighter approached that night, they chose to abandon,” Hilgenberg said.
“Herb is one of a kind and a tremendous help in solving offshore cases,” said Waddington.
Heather Waddington, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area SAR controller in the command center in Portsmouth, Va.
Photo by: PAC Dave Oney
May 30, 1997, Hilgenberg was recognized in a letter from Lt. Cmdr. Melissa Wall, Seventh Coast Guard District Chief of Search and Rescue in Miami, Fla., for his efforts in rescuing the sailing vessel Osprey off the coast of South Carolina.
He was able to gather information on the distressed Osprey’s location from radio communications relayed through the sailing vessel Ariel. The information assisted RCC Miami to dispatch a Coast Guard C-130 to the location of the Osprey in severe weather conditions.
Hilgenberg also established a radio frequency for Coast Guard Group Charleston, S.C., SAR coordinators to stay in contact with the Ariel. The Osprey was eventually towed to safe harbor in the Cape Fear River May 29, 1997, according to Wall.
“The professionalism (Hilgenberg) demonstrated is commendable and demonstrates the finest traditions of assisting mariners in distress,” said Wall.
And, more recently, Hilgenberg reported to Coast Guard SAR coordinators in Portsmouth, Va., that the 45-foot sailing vessel Victory had sheared its rudder and was experiencing rough sea conditions 258 nautical miles northwest of Bermuda Oct. 29.
Victory was in 18-foot seas with wind gusts up to 45 knots. The three people on board reported they were about to abandon ship and had their life raft on deck, according to Lt. Roland Davis, Coast Guard Atlantic Area SAR controller.
“He gathered all the pertinent information he knew we would need,” said Davis. Hilgenberg relayed the vessel’s identification number for its 406 megahertz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, name and type of vessel, communications capabilities, and what type of survival gear was on board.
All three passengers on board Victory, wearing their life vests, were convinced by Hilgenberg and the Coast Guard SAR controllers not to abandon ship, because it would be easier to find them if they remained on board with their 406 EPIRB engaged, said Davis.
A Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., C-130 crew flew to the scene and maintained radio contact with Victory throughout the night and were relieved by a second C-130 crew Oct. 30, according to Davis.
Hilgenberg outside his home in Burlington, Ontario. Photo by: Brigitte Hilgenberg
The passengers on board the sailing vessel constructed a make shift rudder and completed their journey to Bermuda Oct. 31 under their own power, according to a Coast Guard report.
Hilgenberg provides an invaluable service to sailors and merchant mariners, and is always ready to lend a helping ear to Coast Guard SAR coordinators.
He continues to monitor weather conditions around the globe and has learned from his brush with the elements in November 1982, and from assisting other vessels in distress.
“Don’t leave a safe port without having a reliable five-day forecast,” said Hilgenberg.