Thank you for celebrating Tom’s Life!
WAKE on April 11, 2015
The gathering was warm, uplifting, and full of love. Thank you all for making Tom’s WAKE so memorable! Tom is a lucky man to have received love from so many for his shining life finale.
You are all truly amazing that you gave us family a huge positive energy to move on forward!
Tom's Life Adventure
Captain Tom, Wind & Sea
Would you like to take a boat ride with Tom?
Tom's Boat Ceremony & Bench Memorial
See the Kardos family send off Tom.
Berkeley Kite-Man Lost at Sea?
Continued Rescue Efforts by Family
Missing Thomas Joseph Kardos, 57 years old, duel citizen of the United States and Hungary, graduated from UC Berkeley with Master’s Degree in Engineering, known as “The Kite-Man of Berkeley” (from his stunt at the 1979 CAL-USC football game), Inventor, Engineer, Commercial Pilot, Sailor, Family Man of a wife and three children, current resident of Southern California, USA.
On November 23, 2014, Captain Tom’s 39-foot multihull sailboat “Seven Sisters” was found capsized 360 miles offshore of Acapulco in Mexican waters by the Polish ship, Tatry. (photo at right)
There was a man-made shelter on the wreckage, but Thomas was not present on or near the vessel. Seven Sisters was overdue to Acapulco by 2 weeks at that time.
On October 26, 2014, Seven Sisters took off for the voyage from El Salvador heading towards San Diego as it’s final destination with pit stops scheduled in Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas. Captain Tom had planned to return home by Christmas.
Last contacted on November 2, 2014, Tom was located in Mexican waters offshore of the Gulf of Tehuantepec, near the formation of a cyclone. He was able to use radio communication to contact a nearby commercial vessel Hyundai Grace (photo right), who relayed this message to his family: “I am OK. But will delay because of the weather.” This was the last his family heard from him.
The following day, on November 3, 2014, Hurricane Vance ramped up and moved north between November 3rd and 5th. The US Coast Guard speculated that the boat was capsized on either November 3th or 4th, at which time Tom made shelter on the wreckage where he spent a number of days. Currents in this particular area off the coast of Mexico are well known as a rough sea with uncertain patterns.
Currents and Winds pattern on Nov. 3
The water current that Tom was in shows to carry great force out to sea. Aligned with the Coast Guard’s speculation, we believe that Tom may have realized that the boat was drifting offshore at an alarming rate. With no sign of help and rapid offshore drift, Capt. Tom may have decided to take a chance to make it to shore by use of his kayak or dinghy (which were known to be aboard during his voyage).
There were several signs that he survived the capsize: ropes strung across the underbody of the vessel, a mattress affixed to the bottom, a tent made of the boat’s sail, a device to catch rainwater, and strategically positioned, orange life vests visible to passersby on water or in the air (refer to photo on first page). The US Coast Guard launched a Search and Rescue mission right away but couldn’t spot Seven Sisters. With the position of the capsized boat known, they calculated the area with the best possible chance to find Capt. Tom if he had jumped onto his kayak or dinghy and started paddling to shore. A number of factors were included in the calculation: the speed of the ocean current, wind direction, and the possible time Tom took off and left Seven Sisters (see the Fact Note written below). The rescue efforts were made by 3 aircrafts and 4 Navy ships, and continued for 16 hours per day for 5 consecutive days. The US Coast Guard concluded their search on November 28, 2014, with a total area of 31,000 square miles covered, and, unfortunately with no luck in finding Tom, his kayak, or his dinghy.
Seven Sisters location on day of last communication on Nov. 2, 2014 and on day boat was found capsized on Nov. 24, 2014. Distance equates to 438 nautical miles.
Fact Note: The picture of the capsized Seven Sisters provided important information about the timeline of events. The US Coast Guard explained that birds do not inhabit objects that are also inhabited by humans. By noting the amount of bird droppings on the underside of the vessel, they calculated that no one was on board for 7 to 14 days prior to when the Polish ship snapped the photo on Nov. 23, 2014.
The US Coast Guard Search Effort
covered 31,000 square miles.
We, Tom’s family, although expressing great gratitude to the best effort of the US Coast Guard, are still speculating some possibilities that Captain Tom is still alive. As long as there is no evidence of Captain Tom’s passing, we won’t give up hope. We must search for him on our own.
His strong will to live is unlike anything many have ever encountered. There are many hopeful stories where the skipper comes out alive. Please help us continue the search efforts for the beloved father, brother, and husband, Thomas Kardos. We are reaching out for help because we cannot do this alone. Anything is incredibly appreciated, whether it is spreading the link to this page, praying for Tom, or aiding our personal search efforts. We are experiencing so much support during this time and we are extremely thankful for those who have shown their love.
If you would like to help in the search efforts, please contact us. This may include physically going down to the Pacific coastal side of Mexico near the Gulf Tehuantepec to continue searching.
Special THANKS to all those involved in the search efforts, including the US COAST GUARD and crew of the TATRY.
The following are videos, courtesy of the Tatry crew.
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Continued Rescue Efforts by Family
Continued Rescue Efforts by Family
Continued Rescue Efforts by Family
Continued Rescue Efforts by Family
Continued Rescue Efforts by Family