25 Jan 2002
From: ARRL Letter via  Steve, N4JQQ

The 2001 ARRL International Humanitarian Award winner is Dr Jim Hirschman,
K4TCV, of Miami, Florida, "in recognition of a lifetime of medicine and
public service communications that has touched so many lives and put our
Service in such a positive light," the Board said in making the award.

The Board's resolution naming Hirschman said he "combines his Amateur Radio
and medical skills to give on-air advice on a moment's notice." 

Hirschman's skills were put to the test on two occasions when individuals
were injured as a result of pirate attacks on sailing vessels in the
Caribbean Sea. In March 2000, marauders fired upon Jacco van Tuijl, KH2TD,
and his son, Willem, and attempted to commandeer the family's sailboat while
it was moored off the coast of Honduras. Willem was severely injured.
Following van Tuijl's radio calls for help, Hirschman provided live
on-the-air medical assistance for approximately nine hours until the
youngster could be evacuated to medical facilities.

Hirschman also provided critical medical advice in the wake of a subsequent
and similar incident a year later, when Bo Altheden, SM7XBH, of Sweden, was
shot by pirates who boarded his vessel. Altheden's wife put out a call for
help on 20 meters that attracted the attention of the Maritime Mobile
Service Net. The Board said the incidents were "but two examples of a
lifetime of dedication to public service that has made him well-known
internationally."

Hirschman will get an engraved plaque, and his accomplishments will be the
subject of an article in a future edition of QST.