Canadians’ key roles in Thai rescue

As the Thai boys saved from deep within a flooded cave gave victory signs Wednesday, and as divers described it as a once-in-a-lifetime rescue, details about Canada’s involvement also emerged.

A company founded in Canada had a vital part in the successful drama and a Canadian-born diver played a role in rescuing the boys.

Intermap — which has all Canadian-led teams around the world — is a world leader in 3D and geospatial mapping.

Patrick Blott, Intermap’s CEO, said the company was able to give the first 3D maps of the cave area within three hours of getting called by Thai agencies seeking help.

“When we got the initial call, which was on the 27th — four days after the boys went missing — at that time, the rain was building and the water levels were rising by a foot every hour,” says Blott, who was born in Ottawa and grew up in Toronto. “The authorities had no idea where the kids were, all they had were soccer cleats and bicycles left at the entrance to the cave. It was very, very grim and it was hard to have any hope, but we threw everything that we had at it,” Blott said from the company’s corporate headquarters in Denver, Colo.

Using sensors — such as microwave, radar wave, infrared and gravitational field technology — that collect information the human eye can’t see, Intermap was able to provide rescue teams with precise information of an area that had never been properly mapped before, including how deep and wide the cave was, where the water entry and exit points were, and what happens if there is a storm surge.

The company was even able to predict where the boys might have been sheltering themselves — a muddy slope rising many metres above the water, where they were able to stay dry.

“Information like that is really, really hard to get but really critical if you are the Navy SEALS on the ground who have to go into that cave,” added Blott.

Meanwhile, a British Columbia-raised man who braved perilous conditions to help save the boys is the kind of man who always helps others, said his older brother.

Erik Brown grew up in Langley and owns a diving company in Thailand. His brother said when the 35-year-old saw that the boys were trapped, he didn’t hesitate to join the rescue team.

“That’s just who he is. He didn’t have to tell me why. I know the man pretty well,” said Kirk Brown, 39. “I’m not at all surprised he was involved to the degree he was and was able to help.”

Erik posted a photo of himself earlier this week with other divers on Facebook with the caption, “9 days. 7 missions and 63 hours inside Tham Laung Cave. Success.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thanked Erik Brown for his participation in the rescue in a post on Twitter.

“The Thai cave rescue was a team effort, and I’d like to congratulate and thank Langley’s Erik Brown for stepping up to help get the job done — you’ve made Canadians proud,” Trudeau wrote.

Kirk travelled from Calgary to be with his mother Dorothy in Langley during the rescue. He said they were glued to their televisions and phones, waiting for word that Erik had returned safely from a mission inside the cave.

His brother would go into the cave for hours at a time, sometimes for up to six hours, said Kirk, adding that whenever Erik had a free moment he would let his family know he was OK.

Although Kirk and his mom were naturally nervous, they had faith in Erik’s abilities.

“He’s very proud of what he does,” he said.

“… He speaks very highly of everybody who was there in the planning process and execution.”

When news broke on Friday that an experienced diver had died during the rescue, that brought a “level of realism” to the situation and reminded the family of the risks of the operation, said Kirk.

“They pushed through and continued to do the work and in the end it saved 12 boys. Now they can honour that man’s passing by doing that,” said Kirk.