Rutgers Glider Rescue Needed ASAP

[bigmahi]

A recreational or commercial vessel longer than 26’ is needed for the rescue/recovery of a Rutgers/Maracoos underwater glider. This glider was last located approx. 40.25N 71.37W, roughly 50 miles from either Shinnecock or Montauk and is drifting with the wind about 3 miles a day. See images below.
A volunteer Captain and boat is needed to head out and rescue this glider and bring it back to any port from Jones to Montauk Point. Technicians from Rutgers will meet the vessel there.
Particulars:
-Requested rescue dates ASAP, Aug 30, Sept 3.
-Glider is 150lbs, 7 ft long by 4 ft wide
-Require Sat phone for communication to Rutgers Lab and current location
-Fuel Reimbursement
-A tuna door might be helpful
-No technical knowledge necessary
-Captains license required

Email Bigmahi@yahoo.com immediately with your name, email, phone, availability,
size, type of vessel and any experience relevant to this mission.

See more glider information at:
http://marine.rutgers.edu/cool/auvs/...2&view=history

See Maracoos organization information at:
http://www.maracoos.org

There are funds available for fuel re-imbursement. Extreme gratitude is extended to this Captain and boat for their contribution to the advances of marine sciences.

Thank You on behalf of Rutgers & Maracoos,
Jeff

[bigmahi]

Mission Accomplished!
Within hours of the rescue post Capt. Todd of Babylon stepped up.
Shortly later he was steaming out of Fire Island Inlet with three other volunteers all excited about the prospect of hunting and finding the disabled glider.
It was found a couple of miles from the reported coordinates doing a lazy circle. One of the wings had been severed and there were black streaks along the belly. Hoping to find out what might have gone wrong after it is analyzed by the engineering team. But the many colored led lights on the side panel were still flickering giving a somewhat eerie look to this unusual find in the middle of the ocean.
Captain Todd reported that there were no signs of life out there following the impact of Hurricane Irene. He did find several nice trigger fish handing around the glider and a couple of locked jaw mahi. Unfortunately no bluefin, as we were hoping he might see and lead us to a year like last where the bf bite was insane.
Here is a link to the Maracoos website. Take a minute or two to read through the rescue story and understand how Maracoos is trying to find ways to provide info and data to help in our fishing efforts.

http://maracoos.org/node/155

Both Rutgers and Maracoos thank all of you who responded to the call and offered their services. Hopefully this type of situation will not arise often but it is good to know that there are guys out there willing to put their time and effort into research
in the pursuit of ocean understanding and applications to the public.