This snagged from the Amigos Board -
I had posted the following under the Flying Samaritan topic of conversation. After reading the posts about the overturned boat and the deaths at San Felipe it seems appropriate to give the subject of Search & Rescue a topic site of its own, so here it is. One reader and person of many years of S & R experience has responded and wants to be a part of the program. I think that brings our number to 23, and growing. I would be interested in the identity of the aircraft who assisted in the recent search at San Felipe and how they were contacted.

"Wanting to also do some good, a few of us formed a non profit corporation named BAJA AVIATION SEARCH AND RESCUE. We're incorporated but are still working on getting the IRS 501(c)(3) charitable status. The impetus was the death of a member of a panga group in L.A. Bay in October 2001, who died on the third day of being stranded.
Had an air search been available he could have been rescued early enough to save his life, we think. We have about 22 members who are willing to assist in a search when necessary. We have been called upon twice. On one occasion one of our members flew to Mulege to search, but fortunately the missing person was located prior to an actual search by him. For the time being, until we get our own web site, if we are needed you can contact the San Diego Sheriff's ASTREA unit, who will contact me, or contact the Hotel Serenidad, or me directly at KUCAL57@aol.com. We are hoping that after we receive the 501c3 we will be funded to provide fuel for searches. At this time, we're on our own for all expenses, except that Don Johnson at the Hotel Serenidad has offered to(and did)provide lodging when on an actual search that far south. Also, if you want to join (no cost) please send your personal contact information, including your flying (and search,if any)experience."

My name is Cal Bender. My contact information is:

Address: 9001 Grossmont Blvd., Suite 601
La Mesa, CA 91941
Telephone: 619-463-5500 (Office)
619-447-2893 (Res)
619-995-9595 (Cell)
619-463-0701 (FAX)
e-mail address: KUCAL57@AOL.COM

Cecelia Diaz of the Mexican/American Binational Medical Assistance Association has our name listed and will contact us if she hears of the need for a search.


FLY BAJA
------------------------------------------------
Glad to see that you are getting this endeavor off the ground (no pun intended). I replied to somebody in your group 6-8 months ago regarding the logistcs, mapping-gps capabilities and communications experience we have. Heard back from them once then nothing further. Send me an e-mail to wildbw at hotmail.com to bring me up to date.

Best Regards,
WILD BILD
--------------------------
This sounds like a nuked up version of the old S.D. Sheriff's Aero Squadron which was ran by Snakey Morse and Pappy Ken Smith. I will say this, when on a search bring Art Willis and Ralph Schoonermacher with you. Those two guys can spot a discarded Tecate can from 10,000 feet.
I don't keep an A/C anymore, therefore my days of flying search and rescue are over. However, should it come to pass that you need a volenteer down on the cape--my hat's in the ring.
God Bless
JIMMY SMITH

Wednesday, January 8, 2003

Local woman drowns off Baja

By DANIELLE HERUBIN and CHRIS KNAP
The Orange County Register

A Huntington Beach woman is dead, another woman is missing and a man has been fished out of the waters off Baja after large waves swamped their boat on Dec. 29, an official in San Felipe said.

Eileen Kelkowski, 52, was found in the waters near San Felipe, about 100 miles south of San Diego. Her boyfriend, Brian Stuart of Penrose, Colo., was rescued the same day, clinging to his life vest after nearly two days in the water.

Stuart's sister, Bonnie Carter, from Ohio, is missing.

Kelkowski, who has two daughters, including one in Huntington Beach, was a thrill seeker who loved the water. Shannon Kelkowski, 24, said her mother loved to swim with her boyfriend. "They hung out, swam, rode dune buggies," Kelkowski said. "Her boyfriend was in the Baja 1000... She would drive the chase truck."

Kelkowski also gathered up Christmas presents all year for an orphanage in San Felipe.

Stuart could not be reached.

Kelkowski said that the three, plus some others in Stuart's family, had set out in two boats to an island called Punta Baseo to see sea lions. About a quarter of the way there, waves began picking up. The larger boat was able to turn around and reach shore, but was unable to go back out because of waves and wind, she said.

Stuart told Kelkowski's family he was separated from the two women by large waves as he tried to get the engine off the 12-foot boat. The boat sank despite being released from the engine.

Local official Gerardo Andrade said Stuart was found in the early hours Dec. 31, by fishermen.

Shannon Kelkowski is still talking to her family about where they will scatter her mother's remains.

"I didn't believe it. I still don't believe it to tell you the truth. I don't know whose story I'm telling you. Because my mom is my whole world. I don't know what you are supposed to do without your mom," Kelkowski said.