Laby B and Overseas Altamar

Sunday, August 5, 2007: At 1000 the crew of the 600 foot tanker ship, “Overseas Altamar” reported to USCG Station Sandy Hook that a crewman fell overboard about 20 miles off Long Branch, NJ.  

The Auxiliary vessel, an 82’ point cutter named the “Lady B,” under the command of Auxiliary Coxswain Stu Sunderland, with a 10 person Auxiliary crew had just begun patrol of local waters when a radio alert was heard on the radio.  The crew was, at that time, gathered on the vessel’s bridge for their mission briefing.  Following their mission orders they picked up water and supplies from station CG Sandy Hook to deliver too a 47’ CG boat in the search area.

A successful transfer of supplies was made to the CG boat on station.  After receiving instructions, Coxswain, Sunderland radioed the USCG 210’ Cutter “Seneca” and volunteered their assistance in the search effort.

Auxilliary supplying USCG 47'

The CG cutter “Seneca” provided coordinates and the Auxiliary crew begin the search.  The cutter vectored us several times to targets they were acquiring from the area.  

After several hours of searching no survivor was located.  The 47' CG boat did find the victim’s helmet, which indicated the search was being conducted in the correct area.  The search was to continue the next morning with additional USCG assets.  Each of the Auxiliary vessel’s 10 person crew rotated on watch stations throughout the search.  

The Auxiliary vessel and crew were part of a team effort comprised of the USCG 210’ Cutter, a 47' CG boat, a CG HH-65 Dauphin helicopter, a C-130 Hercules, an Army Reserve Black Hawk helicopter, in addition to the “Overseas Altamar” which remained after the incident.