Cop’s dad died in boat rescue
(CNS): Police have now confirmed that the man who was killed at the weekend after the boat he was in capsized in the South Sound was Oscar Shaw who was the father of a serving RCIPS officer. Shaw was aboard a vessel on Saturday afternoon which was spotted in difficulty by the police helicopter at around 3:53pm. The air support unit was flying over the South Sound area off Dart Park as a result of a another marine report involving a kite-surfer and marine officers were also nearby on land when the crew saw the 16ft boat some 600 metres off shore in heavy seas and taking on water. As the helicopter relayed information on the boat’s condition the crew saw the vessel capsized by a wave and all four of the people on the boat were thrown overboard. (Photo courtesy of Cayman27)
All of the boaters were then seen to be in difficulty and a Sunset Dive boat with three crew on board was in the water nearby and contacted to render immediate assistance, which they did. In difficult sea conditions, the Sunset Divers boat crew threw out buoyancy vests and life rings to the boaters and commenced a rescue of all four who were drifting apart.
The Sunset Divers crew entered the water on several occasions to assist two of the stricken boaters, and rendered initial first aid to the recovered victims. This included continuous CPR, which continued until the boat docked at Sunset House to transfer to EMS personnel that had been requested on standby by the police helicopter who continued to co-ordinate further resources.
Marine Unit officers attended the location on jet skis to assist in a further search with the helicopter for a fifth person believed missing from the previous kite surfing incident, but this person was traced safe and well having swum safely shore.
The position of the capsized boat was marked and the boat was later recovered by a Port Authority vessel.
“The response and the efforts of the Sunset Divers staff, who were close to the scene, prevented this tragic accident being even worse, and indeed they should be commended for their continued efforts to give all four victims their best possible chance of survival,” said Chief Inspector Martin Bodden Jr.
The Commissioner and all staff wish to express their condolences on this tragic accident.
Category: Local News
I have had the wonderful blessing of meeting Mrs. Shaw during my trips to Cayman, and just want to send my condolences to her, the family, and all of Oscar's friends during this time of bereavement. May God give you the peace to make it each day during this trying time. His PERFECT – SHALOM PEACE, nothing broken nothing missing. My prayers are with you. God bless!!!
No matter how he died, life jacket or not, we give thanks for his life and express gratitude to the rescue team
RIP uncle shaw…gone too soon
At times we give Police officers hell, but we fail to realise at times that they are human with familes, and are not suppper humans. My sympathies go out to the family and thanks to all who were apart of this rescue. We dont know the facts here and accidents can an do happen no matter how careful we are that is why they are called "ACCIDENTS" . Also I agree that the heading is dissrespectful but in todays world respect is hard to find in most people. I am a resident here for several years and can say that the level of service here form Police. Fire and ambulance is second to none comparing to most countries . Caymanian have alot to be proud of and thankful for but we do take a lot for granted trust me.
why did they not have on life jackets, if you are in a boat it should be a law, if not common sense to wear a life jacket, do you not wear a seatbelt in a car? why not protect yourself on a boat. how many people have to die before something is done. make the law, educate the people and enforce the law, and maybe just maybe people will learn
For the third year in a row, I find myself writing and asking why it is, that there are no laws governing the use of private craft in Cayman waters.
This tragedy might well have been averted if the boat had been equipped with a VHF radio, life vests and signalling flares, but as none of these essential items were on board and the CI Govt. refuse to make them compulsory, these tragic lapses in judgement will continue to destroy families.
I hope that this can be the last marine tragedy and that something positive in terms of registration and regulation of small boats, can be instigated, in the memory of Mr Shaw…..These accidents are easily preventable, I just do not understand why nobody in Government wants to do anything about stopping them.
Good job Sunset Crew. Sounds like there could have been even more tradgedy if you were not close by to offer assistance. You are obliged to offer assistance but sounds like you went beyond the call on this one. Actually jumping into the same seas that flipped the boat. Glad the RCIP recognised our bravery
After the tragedy about 18 months ago in which 4 or 5 people lost their lives while boating in rough seas outside the North Sound, it amazes me that people still venture out to sea in small boats during rough weather. My condolences go out to the family of the man who perished.
One would have thought that after spending over $2 million CI on a police helicopter which took forever to arrive in Grand Cayman, that it would have came equipped with an "emergency hoist basket" to rescue persons in distress such as this most recent and unfortunate incident. Ahhhhhhhhh boy……….the CI Government never seems to get value for their money. So much for the so called "outside experts" who claims to know everything that is best and appropriate for the Cayman Islands. This is possibly two human lives that could have been saved recently (Young American man lost in East End a few weeks ago) had this "grandious purchased UK helicopter" been equipped with this piece of necessary life saving equipment.
Everyone is an expert, especially on this Island. Come back when you know what you are talking about
CNS, sometimes a little respect is due in your headlines, perhaps this one should have read "police officers father" as apposed to "cops' dad".
my condolences to the family
Thank God for the Sunset crew. Is it true the police helicopter is ineffective for rescue operations?