17/08/2024
CELEBRATING LIFESAVERS AT SEA
On July 24-26, the US Lightship Museum, a nonprofit organization that owns NANTUCKET LIGHTSHIP/LV-112, commemorated the 68th anniversary of the sinking of the ANDREA DORIA with 'Celebrating Lifesavers at Sea'. The event was held at two Boston locations over three days.
Opening night at the Battery Wharf Hotel, Bob Mannino, President of the Lightship Museum welcomed everyone to the event, I gave a presentation about diving on the wreck, and Mark Koch, Diving Manager at Oceaneering International spoke about restoring AD Lifeboat No. 1. Next we all watched the PBS film 'Secrets of the Dead: The Sinking of the Andrea Doria'. After the film the nine AD survivors in attendance spoke about the night of their rescue.
The NANTUCKET LIGHTSHIP is docked at the Boston Harbor Shipyard and Marina. On Thursday there was an artifact exhibit, a USCG display, an AD bell ringing ceremony in memory of those who died in the collision, tours of the lightship, rides in the AD Lifeboat, and a USCG Search and Rescue helicopter demonstration. That night we viewed the film 'ANDREA DORIA: Are the Passengers Saved' and listened to more stories from the survivors.
On Friday, in addition to the artifact exhibit, the USCG display, lightship tours, and lifeboat rides, there was a rescue demonstration by the USCG Fast Response Cutter MELVIN BELL.
Each day there were wonderful performances by mezzo soprano Elissa Scarlett.
I was given a tour of the lightship by USCG Electronics Technician [ET-2] Paul Sabo who was stationed on the ship in 1972 & 1973. He told me lots of interesting stories about his time onboard including riding out a hurricane in 60-70 ft. seas.
Bob Mannino did an outstanding job planning and organizing this amazing event. Museum volunteers John Rogers, Tim McCarthy, Ron Janard, and Rob Nickologianis did all the heavy work unloading the truck and setting up the AD bell and exhibit each day. They all put in many long hours to make this event a huge success.
