Youth recognized for life-saving action

The US Sailing Safety at Sea Committee awarded the Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal to Alexandra (Alex) Fisher for saving the life of her skipper during the 2021 Lido 14 Fall Invitational on Mission Bay in San Diego, CA.

She was honored with the Hanson Rescue Medal at the San Diego Association of Yacht Club’s monthly meeting on February 16, 2023.

On the afternoon of October 16, 2021, 12-year-old Fisher was crewing for Stu Robertson, and while leading the fleet towards the leeward mark in light to moderate winds, Robertson began to have double vision and, seeing two marks, tacked the boat up and into irons. Unable to get out of irons, Robertson stood up in the Lido 14 and, losing his balance, fell overboard capsizing the small boat.

Realizing Robertson, not wearing a life jacket, was in trouble, Fisher took Robertson into a lifeguard rescue posture and, keeping his head afloat protecting his airway, swam him sidestroke some 25 to 50 meters to the nearest shore.

Once safely on shore, she then asked bystanders to contact emergency services for Robertson.

A nurse in the gathering bystanders assisted in his first aid while the race committee arrived and brought the capsized Lido 14 to shore. Fire Department paramedics were soon on-scene and took Robertson on his way to the hospital where it was determined he had a heart attack.

Fisher then returned to the boat, re-rigged it, and sailed it back to the Mission Bay Yacht Club unassisted.

“Alex immediately recognized that I was in trouble and took charge of the situation,” said Robertson, who was in attendance for the ceremony.

For her situational awareness, outstanding seamanship, and quick thinking resulting in the rescue of her skipper in peril in the water without a life jacket, US Sailing awarded her the Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal.

The Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal is awarded to any person who rescues or endeavors to rescue any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other perils at sea within the territorial waters of the United States, or as part of a sailboat race or voyage that originated or stopped in the U.S.

The medal was established in 1990 by friends of the late Mr. Hanson, an ocean-racing sailor from the Chesapeake Bay, with the purpose of recognizing significant accomplishments in seamanship and collecting case studies of rescues for analysis by the Safety at Sea Committee of US Sailing for use in educational and training programs. Any individual or organization may submit a nomination for a Hanson Rescue Medal.

For additional details on the Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal, click here.

Source: SDAYC