The facts relating to the rescue of local sailing vessel ‘Ayesha’ recently were inaccurately reported by some local media. The following is a time-line of the incident:

• ‘Ayesha’ departed Bermuda Tuesday, August 11th 2009, reportedly heading for Cape Canaveral, Florida USA with two persons onboard.
• Tuesday, August 18th - ‘Ayesha’ was reported overdue to the U.S. Coast Guard.
• Wednesday, August 19th - ‘Ayesha’ was located by a passing ship approximately 150 miles south of Bermuda attempting to sail back. The passing ship gave the local sailing vessel’s crew fuel so that they would be able to motor back to the island.
• Thursday, August 20th – ‘Ayesha’ makes contact with Bermuda Radio. A local fisherman offers to go out to the ‘Ayesha’ to assist by giving the crew additional fuel or towing the vessel in due to the approach of Hurricane Bill.

At no time was the Marine Unit asked to assist in the rescue of the ‘Ayesha’ as suggested by some local media. In fact, local fishing vessel ‘Paradise One’ was already en-route to provide assistance. However, all Marine Unit vessels were in the water at the time of this incident, prepared to assist if necessary; as we would be for any other marine incident. Had a request been received for assistance the Marine Unit, following a risk assessment, would have responded accordingly.

Bermuda Radio informed the Bermuda Police Service as a matter of course and we dispatched a vessel immediately in case any further assistance was required. As a result the Police vessel ‘Rescue 2’ met both vessels (‘Ayesha’ & ‘Paradise One’) at the sea buoy two miles off the east end of the island at 5:45am on Friday August 21st, escorting them into St. George’s harbour.