Hi,
I finally uploaded the In Harm’s Way episode… in many ways it’s difficult to watch. This reality TV series glamorized occupational risk - and it sensationalized the tragedy that occurred to my family which is one reason it took me so long to upload. It also emphasizes, however, the phenomenal job done by the U.S. Coast Guard in searching for my dad and brother. I like the incredible editing of the footage as well. Parts of the show, along with comments from the Coasties, may actually help me to find closure someday.
It’s funny there’s so much footage the producer barely allowed the host, Hunter Ellis, to speak. It was also showcased on TV very quickly – when we were still searching almost every day. I can only hope (sincerely) that some money was made. At the same time, my family would have liked to have been notified that the filming took place and that the show was going on TV before it aired. It shocked me at first that we were not notified. We were, however appreciative to get a master copy after the show was already on the CW, but what we really would have liked and still would like are all of the original reels so that we can go through the footage frame by frame for evidence of N9350X. I’ve asked for it before, but if anyone has any ideas of how to go about asking for this one more time feel free to comment.
Once you’ve watched the episode, my following comments will make more sense:
My understanding of the second accident aircraft featured in this show is that the pilots decided to forgo refueling which lead to the crash. In Brian and Brandon’s disappearance it’s much more difficult to pinpoint a cause or even a likely combination of factors. Remember that this show sold to people’s natural tendency for risk aversion, it thus makes flying small planes in S.E. look dangerous; however, I know many pilots who would disagree (recall the following link for more). It also highlights the failures of the old ELT systems, not only that they broke, but for instance, the reason why it took the Coast Guard three hours to find the second plane was that two satellite passes were needed before the exact GPS position could be determined. The new 406 MHz systems shouldn’t have this problem. While the timing of this second aircraft accident still confuses me in that it diverted (satellite? and other) resources from the search for N9350X, I don’t think it made much of a difference in finding them and actually this segment highlights the difficulty of seeing a downed aircraft in the Tongass. As time goes by I might investigate this second crash more fully. In the meantime, does anybody know the names of the two pilots on-board or know this planes tail number? Thanks…
Well… without further ado, click here to view Episode 104 of In Harm’s Way, “Coast Guard Swimmers,” which aired on the CW September 30th, 2008 and was produced by Pilgrim Films & Television, or right-click and “Save as” one of the following links:
http://www.bassower.com/share/harmsway.mp4 (High@Level 3.1) [550 MB] {42:30} From the master copy.
http://www.bassower.com/share/harmsway.wmv (VC-1, Pro-9) [640 MB] {42:30} Also, from the master copy.
http://www.bassower.com/share/harmsway.avi (xVid) [370 MB] A high definition copy found on the internet from someone who is better at encoding video than I am.
– BJ
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Thank you so much to Mr. Rob Eadie, http://www.MapMart.com, Intrasearch Inc., and the folks at GeoEye – their satellite the GeoEye-1 is an amazing achievement of human technological ingeniuty. More soon — BJ
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JUNEAU ROTARY PREMIERS ALASKA OUTDOOR SAFETY EXPO
(Juneau, May 13, 2009) – Juneau has it all – natural beauty, scenic wonders, the great outdoors; and no matter what the season, many a Juneauite and visitor alike wants to take advantage of it all. Equipment gets purchased, permits and licenses secured, and we’re ready to head out to boat or kayak, fish or hike — actively participate in whatever their outdoor pleasure. But are we truly as prepared as we think we are? Do we take care of all the basics before heading out? How do you make sure we can handle the whims of weather…or wildlife?
The need to be prepared is the driving force behind the first-ever Southeast Alaska Outdoor Safety Expo (SOS) planned by the Rotary Club of Juneau for Saturday, May 23rd at Centennial Hall. More than 35 organizations, mostly non-profits and community groups, will be on hand from 10am to 5pm for this free, day-long event of seminars, demonstrations, a trade-show and more. Not only does the Rotary club want to expose attendees to the many outdoor recreational groups and resources available here – but to enable those who venture into Juneau’s great outdoors do so with an eye toward safety and survival.
The concept for the Expo began when the Rotary’s Club Service committee met last July to develop the year’s calendar. Bob Rehfeld, a past president of the Club, proposed that something be done to replace “Heavy Equipment Day,” a major service project of the past that provided young children with the opportunity to safely ride on construction equipment. (In recent years, equipment commitments and liability concerns have precluded the possibility of the Club continuing with the project.) At that same meeting, Craig Duncan, now co-chair of the event, wanted to do something to showcase the Capital City’s plethora of outdoor activities.
When Club member Brian Andrews and his son Brandon disappeared on a short flight between Admiralty Island and Juneau last fall, the focus became clear – teaching those of us who live here how to be cognizant of the numerous challenges the outdoors might present. Concurrently, the Association of State Accountants, under the leadership of Ruth Danner, began work on a related program that was held in October of 2008 and focused on survival skills. Joining Rotary for this inaugural SOS Expo will be a first responder effort coordinated by Danner and inclusive of many of the original participants from last Fall’s exercise.
Among the diverse groups participating at the SOS Expo are the Seadogs, Trail Mix, and the Department of Transportation’s Bicycle Rodeo (for those who may have missed it earlier in the month) and many, many more. (NOTE TO MEDIA: A complete list of participating organizations is attached for your information and contact.) Two helicopters, one from both the Alaska National Guard and the US Coast Guard will land in the former sub-port area and be available for tours. Commercial vendors will also be on hand to showcase product, as well.
Millie and Craig Duncan, co-chairs of the inaugural event, point out that most important to organizers is for it to be free-of-charge and open to anyone who wants to learn more about outdoor safety. During this first year, the Rotary club will be covering all fees associated with the event (not already donated by Club members and participating organizations), with the hope of being able to obtain more corporate participation in the future.
For more information about SOS, visit the web at www.juneaurotary.org/SOS
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229 sq. km of satellite photos over S.E. at .5 m resolution in 4-band color (r,g,b, and near infrared) will soon be sent to me… Now the monumental task of going through all that terrain! I’ll need to figure out how to divide up the images, but let me know if you want to help.
Filed under: Posts From The Family
As we approach the weekend marking a year since the disappearance of Brian and Brandon, it is important for the family to express our continued and deep gratitude for the people surrounding us. Thank you for your unceasing appreciation of the lives of Brian and Brandon and the love they shared with all of you, with us and with this amazing place called Alaska.
B. J., Nikki and I plan to honor Brian and Brandon this weekend privately and simply, but know that we appreciate your warm and loving thoughts and the connectedness with the fullness of life that brings us; something Brian and Brandon would definitely endorse. We continue to be blessed by Brian and Brandon and the ways they enriched our lives. Their spirit truly does live on and although we miss them terribly we will honor them by living as fully as we can.
Part of our plan this weekend is to decide on a location for a memorial to them, the specifics of which are not yet solidified, but which we will post to the blog when official. Stay tuned and thank you again for holding us up during this past very difficult year.
With love,
Joyce
Have been super slow to roll out any blog posts lately and apologize deeply. I’m a little disabled emotionally, and bogged down with work, etc. I’m also in Anchorage when I feel like I need to be in Juneau…
Below is a picture from a hike that I did when I was in Juneau over Father’s day weekend. I’ve been around this corner on Mount Meek twice now (arrows) and have meant to get on the steep face in the box (may be even steeper looking at it from the water side). Airplanes usually pass above this box, but we all know weather was shitty that day and holding things down. Also, while a radio transmission should have been received from here, I still consider this location a possibility. As the one year anniversery of my Dad’s and brother’s disappearance approaches I still cherish and every moment I had with them, think about them every day, and want to find them eventually. –
Mount Meek Corner
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I was in S.E. 5-27 through 5-31 and accomplished two additional flight searches while on my way back and forth to Lemesusier Island for another purpose. While this was a different, unlikely direction I realized two things. First there is a lot of snow left in S.E., and thus a lot of things I was looking for last fall, i.e. freshly broken tree tops are no longer relavent due to the winter. Also, new growth will make searching this summer harder.
