Fierce Ike Thwarts Stranded Ship Rescue

Heavy Winds Prevent Rescue Aircraft From Reaching Freighter Stalled In The Gulf

(AP)  Hurricane Ike's strong winds forced the grounding of aircraft sent to the Gulf of Mexico to try to rescue crewmen on a stalled freighter in the path of the storm.

Petty Officer Tom Atkeson said Friday afternoon that the five Coast Guard and Air Force aircraft, hauling rescue swimmers, were forced to land in Lake Charles, La.

Atkeson told The Associated Press that the planes encountered winds of 80 knots, about 92 mph, at the site of the drifting freighter, about 120 miles southeast of Galveston. Such strong winds are above the safety parameters for a rescue attempt.

Twenty-two men are aboard the 584-foot freighter Antalina, which sent out a radio call for help just after 4 a.m. Friday.

Atkeson says the Coast Guard is in contact with the crewmen and using weather instruments on the ship, built in 1984, and might be able to relaunch a rescue attempt later.

The aircraft, including some with hoist operations, are based at Hurlburt Air Force Base near Pensacola, Fla., and Coast Guard units in Mobile, Ala.

[nluv62]

trishab58

These comments were posted for the freighter ship and the men who were stuck in the gulf during the hurricane.

This is not the place to spew your deluded hatred about politics and religion, but since your comment is so offensive, I''d like to respond.....

Do you really think that your ignorant insults are going to influence others to see things your way? They''re not.

Do you think that God appointed you to be his spokesperson? He didn''t.

Do you even know what the word "decent" means? You don''t.

Wake up!!!



I''m happy to say that all 22 men aboard that ship made it through the storm.

[airboatboy1]

Yeah, yeah, yeah trishab58, God''s doin'' it all, isn''t he? Such %#@*&%@#. Go preach somewhere else.

[nluv62]

To the 22 men and thier families. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless you and bring you home safe.

[smurfcrusher]

Good luck. Don''t eat a big lunch, but have bottles of fresh water tied together so they aren''t lost if you have to leave the ship. :(

[questionnews]

Have the life rafts & survival equipment at the ready boys!
I hope to hear your stories when you get back!!

[generey]

Not good. Best of luck people, hope you make it.

[barbaraf4]

My husband, former Navy, says all they can do now is tie themselves down and ride it out.

Good luck and God bless!

[lovesamerica]

Good luck guys