Adel Ait-Ghezala Rescue Effort
(Send info updates/ changes to lilianjting@gmail.com)
Summary:
At around 4pm Dubai time on January 1, 2014, Adel disappeared while diving with 3 friends and his wife Rana about 20 miles off the coast of Dubai. There have been meager search efforts by the UAE Coast Guard, but the volunteer search effort is ramping up. It is possible that Adel may have been quickly distanced from the boat by a current or that he found his way to one of the many tiny islands in the area.
Last known coordinates:
Maps:
Gear he had:
- grey camouflage wetsuit
- fins
- snorkel
- diving watch with a compass
- weight belt
- spear gun
Currents in Persian Gulf:
- Tidal prediction on January 1, 2014 (going to low tide)
Articles:
What we need:
- Planes, helicopters, boats, and divers to scan a large distance
- Funds to charter planes and boats
- US navy assistance for helicopter and boat surveillance
Other needs:
- Media attention and social media presence in Dubai, UAE and US
- People to contact UAE officials to ask if they will make a formal request to the US for Naval assistance
- People with connections to US State department officials or diplomatic contacts in the US or UAE, or Algeria, who can help facilitate additional search & rescue efforts or get US naval assistance.
- People with police/military, search & rescue, naval, marine contacts in the Gulf region, especially in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
What you can do:
- Volunteer, divers, boaters, friends with boats who can help with the search.
- Email: aademha@gmail.com and alarian@gmail.com
- Write in subject line: “BOAT/VOLUNTEER HELP”
- Include your phone number in Dubai and other contact info
- Call the Algerian Embassy Head of Consular Affairs - Azzedine Soudi. Please ask, “Can you make an official request to the US State Department asking for US navy support assistance to the UAE Coast guard in their search for Adel.” - Azzedine Soudi’s direct line: 202-706-3856
Currents:
- The current could carry Adel as far as the sea of Iran or Qatar. When left in open water, the best survival tactic is to go limp and let the currents take you where it will and wait for help. Adel knows this and may have floated with the current. We really need US navy assistance and planes to help with the search.
Possible survival scenarios:
- Adel may have floated with the tide. He can get some sleep where he constantly gets one or two second naps while floating.
- Adel may have found one of many tiny islands or rock formations in the area. (These islands do not show up on google earth map. If anyone knows an ocean cartographer that has maps of the regional waters and islands, that would help the search.) The islands and rock formations often have pools of fresh water. Another diver, who went missing from the same area as Adel, was found alive on a tiny deserted island 4 days after he went missing.
Food and hydration:
- Adel has a spear gun with him, so he can catch fish and drink its blood which could hydrate him.
- Rain is forecasted on Tuesday
Water Conditions:
- The water around Dubai is 71 degrees. With the additional warmth provided by the wetsuit Adel is wearing, the water temperature would unlikely be a threat to survival.
- Weather and rainfall: http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Dubai+United+Arab+Emirates+AEXX0004
On Ground Search and Rescue summary
- Jan 1, 2014: 4pm Dubai time Adel went missing 20 miles off the coast of Dubai (~ 3 hour boat ride to shore).
- Jan 2, 2014: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) coast guard send one or two ships and a helicopter for 1-2 hours to search. They circle the same small area and do not follow the current. All private search boats are prohibited to enter the water.
- Jan 3, 2014: Teams have paused during the evening, and will continue in the AM. The focus is now on any private, commercial, trade, research, university, NGO, association or local community contacts with boats, helicopters, or volunteers that can be immediately deployed for the search effort. Diplomatic connections are very helpful and we continue to pursue all options, though time is of the essence and any quick moving assets and resources will be much appreciated.
- Jan 4, 2014: http://www.thenational.ae/uae/search-continues-for-missing-free-diver
Contact information of primary coordinators:
In United States:
Laila Al-Arian
- Sajid Anwar - (202) 527-0333: Has cold called all private boating companies to see if they can send out boats. Also cold called all helicopter and plane companies for chartered planes, but all companies have declined to help because the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have not give air rights for search and rescue flights. The UAE is a big hinderance. Sajid know logistics in Dubai.
- Hiba Arshad Anwar - (202) 527-8880: Called all private boating and flight companies in UAE
- Farhan Mustafa - (919) 699-7150: Knows logistics in Dubai
- Christian Doolin - (202) 503-0319: Has dived with Adel before, knows the diving conditions in the area.
- Lilian Ting 931-261-0136: lilianjting@gmail.com
- Uzma Sabir - (703) 400-7638 (please fill in)
- Ayesha Mian - (202) 309-2276 (please fill in)
- Nadia Firozvi: a primary point of contact for any diplomatic and political coordination. Has talked with all UAE, US, and Algerian embassy.
In Dubai:
Abdullah Al-Arian - +974 3393 7801
- Nadim Majzoub - +971 56216 6515, who was on the boat with Adel and has been coordinating
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