text and photo by "Canaveral Pilots Association"
The Canaveral Pilots Association commends Pilot Boat Captain Mike Meyers for his heroic actions on April 5, 2020 in helping to save the life of a fisherman while on duty at the port.
The incident began as the tanker California Voyager departed the Middle Basin with an escort tug on each bow and Capt. Meyers running off the starboard side of the ship on Pilot Boat 2. A commercial fishing boat was heading westbound on the south side when Capt. Meyers and the tug captain on the Elizabeth S., Capt. JB Buthker, noticed the individual at the helm appear to collapse in the seat.
Capt. Meyers quickly maneuvered the pilot boat alongside the fishing vessel. A second individual on the fishing boat came topside and by this time the victim had fallen out of the helm seat to the deck and was unresponsive. Capt. Meyers boarded the fishing boat and gave chest compressions to the victim until further assistance arrived from the Sheriff’s boat and Coast Guard boat.
The victim survived and was transported to the hospital. Capt. Meyers’ selfless action in assisting in the rescue of this individual exemplifies his professionalism, dedication to safety, and commitment to help others in need of assistance on the water. His response in this situation reflects great credit upon himself and the Canaveral Pilots Association.
The Canaveral Pilots Association commends Pilot Boat Captain Mike Meyers for his heroic actions on April 5, 2020 in helping to save the life of a fisherman while on duty at the port.
The incident began as the tanker California Voyager departed the Middle Basin with an escort tug on each bow and Capt. Meyers running off the starboard side of the ship on Pilot Boat 2. A commercial fishing boat was heading westbound on the south side when Capt. Meyers and the tug captain on the Elizabeth S., Capt. JB Buthker, noticed the individual at the helm appear to collapse in the seat.
Capt. Meyers quickly maneuvered the pilot boat alongside the fishing vessel. A second individual on the fishing boat came topside and by this time the victim had fallen out of the helm seat to the deck and was unresponsive. Capt. Meyers boarded the fishing boat and gave chest compressions to the victim until further assistance arrived from the Sheriff’s boat and Coast Guard boat.
The victim survived and was transported to the hospital. Capt. Meyers’ selfless action in assisting in the rescue of this individual exemplifies his professionalism, dedication to safety, and commitment to help others in need of assistance on the water. His response in this situation reflects great credit upon himself and the Canaveral Pilots Association.
