Foreign volunteers make crucial contribution towards mission

By THE NATION

 

Australian divers helping in the rescue mission congratulate the Thai navy Seal rescuers after the missing boys and their football coach were found on Monday night.

 

INTERNATIONAL volunteers have made a huge contribution in the operation to save the 13 Thai footballers stranded in a Chiang Rai cave.

 

A group of British cave experts located them on Monday night, 10 days after they went missing.

 

 

The rescue mission has drawn great international support with at least eight nations sending teams to help rescue the 12 boys and their football coach trapped in the flooded Tham Luang cave, alongside hundreds of Thais working at the scene since June 23. The international teams sent to assist the operations are all elite cave divers and rescuers. 

 

The UK-based Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation was among the first to lend a helping hand, sending a team of three experts to the scene. 

 

Two of the Britons, John Volanthen and Richard Stanton, were the first to find the trapped footballers in a dry area almost five kilometres from the cave entrance. The BBC reported that they were part of the South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team and had also taken part in the attempted rescue of a trapped diver in France in 2010.

 

 

The third British expert, Robert Harper, has been caving since 1968, the BBC reported. According to reports on the 2010 operation, Stanton is a firefighter from Coventry who was also involved in the rescue of 13 British cavers in Mexico in 2004.

 

In 2012, both men received a Royal Humane Society medal at Buckingham Palace, in recognition of their rescue attempt in France.

 

In addition Chinese, Lao, German and Belgian cave rescuers also joined the Thai Navy SEALs in diving in the flooded cave to search for the boys and their football coach.

 

The six from China have experience in dramatic rescue missions, having saved victims trapped in a cave in Myanmar and Nepal before. 

 

They also brought with them specialist equipment such as aquatic robots, scuba gears, and three-dimension spectrometers to help in the rescue mission. 

 

Thailand’s close neighbour Laos, meanwhile, deployed an award-winning rescue team, “Vientiane 1623”, to help in the operation since June 26. The volunteer group was founded in 2010 and won the prestigious Magsaysay Award in 2016.

 

 

The German team members are independent diving experts and are helping in filling the oxygen tanks.

 

Other international friends have also provided substantial assistance in many other areas of the operation.

 

Two high-pressure water pumps provided by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have been sent to the site.

 

JICA said two experts would advise the Irrigation Department on draining water out of the cave to enable rescue teams to reach the interiors of the cave. Thailand has been seeking assistance from Japan to have muddy water divers join the team on the ground, according to an official at the Foreign Ministry.

 

Other foreign experts working at the cave, including rescue and diving teams from the United States Indo-Pacific Command (PACOM) and United Kingdom, have been at the site since Thursday.

 

 

PACOM brought high-technology equipment, including 3D infrared scanners and satellite linked geological survey monitors, to aid the Thai team.

 

Meanwhile, a security company from Israel sent a team to help search for other entrances to the cave in the past week.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30349242

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-07-04

 

Heroes, all of them. Thank you.

Overall, a fantastic international effort.

Speed was definitely the key here, well done to the local Thai authorities for not wasting time in the decision making, even more so for the whole logistics, leadership and team work involved.

Definitely one of the highlights of 2018 so far.


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Without them, these boys wouldn't have been found. Big hero's in my eyes.

Magnificent effort by such a wide demographic. 

 

Shame this acknowledgement won't come from officialdom, just the press.

These people were given a monumental task and should be given full marks thus far. Best of luck in getting this done. 

High praise to the Thai authorities who were not too proud to ask for help and, of course, many thanks to the local and internationals that pitched in.

While the term "contribution" is probably flattering to the Thai effort, this shows what can be achieved when they allow in outside assistance.

While the term "contribution" is probably flattering to the Thai effort, this shows what can be achieved when they allow in outside assistance.

8 minutes ago, grumbleweed said:

While the term "contribution" is probably flattering to the Thai effort, this shows what can be achieved when they allow in outside assistance.

I never shy away from criticizing Thailand when it’s appropriate and deserved, but to start bashing on this is just a bit nasty. There should be nothing but praise for all concerned

Those British divers in full gear looked like real life Avengers. Certainly at least up there with Hawkeye anyway.

This is an international combined effort with the Thai authorities, which can only enhance the wellbeing of expats here. The TV members that continue to post negative thoughts & remarks on this issue should refrain from doing so. It's not your country & you are a guest ...... going home probably would do you good for a while as there is plenty to moan & complain about there! I rest my case &  I'm off to spend another fantastic fun filled day here .......... cheers.

Build a capsule with air tanks and drag them out with an attached wire one by one.

I am absolutely certain that the real experts are looking at every single option to get the boys and their coach out as safely as is humanely possible, they will be consulting with those that have actually been in to the cave system, crawled and dived to reach the boys.

Unless they do manage to find another opening or an ingenious method, then right now the only feasible (safest) ways appear to be to pump the water out to a level that can be waded through, or wait until the water levels recede to this.

What is the unknown, is once the rains start in earnest, does the whole system fill with water, or do parts remain without water.

 

As there has been reported currents in the water and one assumes that the current flows down towards the entrance, then I do wonder if a possible solution, or even if it is feasible, could be to try to go further in to the cave system, beyond where the boys are now and see if it possible to temporarily stem or significantly slow down the flow of water coming downwards, this would at least give them half a chance to pump out enough water from where the boys are now to the entrance, how on earth they would achieve this I really do not know.

 

Congratulations to all. A huge team effort. The Thai authorities and the Navy Seals are to be respected for immediately accepting assistance from foreign experts without worrying about loss of face or other issues. It seems that the foreigners brought very specific skills that were vital to the rescue.

 

This is contrast to the Tsunami when foreign volunteers with much needed language skills were pushed aside in Phuket over work permit issues and Burma’s horrific floods when a US naval vessel carrying supplies for victims was turned away.

1 hour ago, greenchair said:

Like this. 

An inflatable tube would be very flexible. 

The kids will love it. 

It's so simple. 

They could slide through very fast and a camera on a helmet could monitor them the whole way. 

Think out of the box. 

Any idea what the buoyancy of such a tube is when empty? Lets give them a 1m diameter tube.  The ends are sealed. It has 785kg of buoyancy per linear meter.  So no diver will be able to pull a 10m, 20m, any length underwater for any distance down, up no problem aside from it ascending uncontrollably.  If you fill it with water, it essentially collapses, it may stay somewhat open, but it will be very easy to get stuck in it.  If you can pump the water out, it has an enormous amount of buoyancy trying to get to the highest side, it is out of control and you don't want people in such a death trap.  Keep on thinking!   

In my opinion all volunteers, Thai and foreign, should be considered for the award  of "The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant" although I am sure that ALL of them did it not for the kudos but for the feeling that they have helped the Thai people in their time of need

59 minutes ago, JAG said:

 

It is an ingenious idea. Is it feasible? I don't know, nor I suspect do you "Formaleins". It may well be one of the schemes being considered, Ben Robitaille may have had an idea which will light a spark, and is presenting it in the only way he knows.  I don't know, neither do you. What I do know is that to sneer at an idea, in the way that you have done, is really very churlish, and the very antithesis of the spirit of co-operation which has made this rescue possible, and so remarkable.

So easy for the "experts" many who probably couldn't survive in a full bath tub, to come on and criticise any idea - irrespective of how far off field the idea is. Remember long journey / first step. 

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1 hour ago, JAG said:

 

It is an ingenious idea. Is it feasible? I don't know, nor I suspect do you "Formaleins". It may well be one of the schemes being considered, Ben Robitaille may have had an idea which will light a spark, and is presenting it in the only way he knows.  I don't know, neither do you. What I do know is that to sneer at an idea, in the way that you have done, is really very churlish, and the very antithesis of the spirit of co-operation which has made this rescue possible, and so remarkable.

 

53 minutes ago, Xonax said:

Build a capsule with air tanks and drag them out with an attached wire one by one.

Too big and no flexibility through bends.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

INTERNATIONAL volunteers have made a huge contribution

How about the government give them each 10-year visas with no annual renewals and/or a cash contribution to their nonprofit organization? A "Thanks" doesn't pay the bills.

"Foreign volunteers make crucial contribution towards mission"

In the meantime:

- 60+ Thais will die today on the roads.
  Most of them because Thais and wearing helmets doesn't go well together.

 

- 25+ Thais will die today in Thai domestic disputes because Somchai has a little penis syndrome and is constantly fuelled with alcohol and drugs.

Cheers

4 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

How about the government give them each 10-year visas with no annual renewals and/or a cash contribution to their nonprofit organization? A "Thanks" doesn't pay the bills.

Who is to say the volunteers want to stay or live in Thailand, other than the rescue.

Yeah, well-done everyone. Thais rest of world did well. Pity the leaders of the countries could not co-operate as these guys did Then the world would be a better place

How to get the boys out now instead of a long wait ??

As an ex commercial diver, use Surface Demand = no bulky SCUBA Tank in restricted areas.

Use a Dry Hat so no water on face AND be able to speak freely and be spoken to by Thai Navy Seals during the surface ascent.

 

1 hour ago, Xonax said:

Build a capsule with air tanks and drag them out with an attached wire one by one.

I believe on some places not enough space to fit threw with such thing. ?

Firstly, it was incredible teamwork that made it possible to find those kids - everyone played a part.

 

John Volanthen, Richard Stanton, Robert Harper - such calm, focus and unassuming bravery, what makes you guys do what you, I will never know but a nation is truly thankful that you all repeatedly put yourselves in harms way to find those kids. 

41 minutes ago, Confuscious said:

"Foreign volunteers make crucial contribution towards mission"

In the meantime:

- 60+ Thais will die today on the roads.
  Most of them because Thais and wearing helmets doesn't go well together.

 

- 25+ Thais will die today in Thai domestic disputes because Somchai has a little penis syndrome and is constantly fuelled with alcohol and drugs.

Cheers

None of which is a reason why these boys should have been left to die, not is it in any way a valid reflection on the co-operation determination or bravery shown in the rescue operation.

1 hour ago, Arkady said:

Congratulations to all. A huge team effort. The Thai authorities and the Navy Seals are to be respected for immediately accepting assistance from foreign experts without worrying about loss of face or other issues. It seems that the foreigners brought very specific skills that were vital to the rescue.

 

This is contrast to the Tsunami when foreign volunteers with much needed language skills were pushed aside in Phuket over work permit issues and Burma’s horrific floods when a US naval vessel carrying supplies for victims was turned away.

 

Well said. And frankly, I'm rather surprised the Thais called on foreign assistance so quickly. Maybe a corner is being turned. Nevertheless, I'm getting the impression the Thai Navy Seals are doing a terrific job. The spirit of co-operation among Thai rescuers and the many foreigners bringing their expertise seems remarkably strong and effective. Top marks to all. Just need to keep the politicians away to let the professionals do their job.