Canada starts rescue mission as weather system hits Transatlantic Race

by Thomson Reuters on 17 Jun 2017 The Canadian military launched a rescue mission to reach several sailing vessels in distress in the mid-Atlantic after high seas and hurricane-strength winds disrupted the OSTAR and TWOSTAR race fleet from Britain to the United States. The defense ministry said it was “responding to distress calls from multiple sailing vessels,” coordinating efforts with marine rescue centers from the United States, Portugal and Britain

In the early hours of Friday 9th June, 60 knot winds and 15 metre seas were experienced by competitors, caused by a very low depression (967 mb). These extreme conditions caused damage to many boats with three emergency beacons (EPIRB) triggered. The Canadian coastguard in Halifax immediately reacted to the situation sending ships and air support to all the boats in distress.

The boats affected over the past 36 hours are:

TAMARIND – Suffered severe damage. Skipper well with no injuries. Rescued by Queen Mary en route to Halifax.

HAPPY – Dismasted. Both crew rescued by ocean going tug APL FORWARD. No injuries reported.

FURIA – Boat sunk. Crew resuced by survey vessel THOR MAGNA. No injuries reported.

HARMONII – Mainsail and track damage. Retired. Heading under engine for the Azores. Skipper ok, no injuries.

SUOMI KUDU – Mainsail problems. Retired. Heading back to UK. Skipper ok, no injuries.

All other competitors safe but still experiencing a 10 – 15 metre swell, no injuries reported.

The RWYC would like to thank all personnel at the Halifax Coastguard for their immediate and magnificent response to this emergency situation. All seafarers owe them a debt of gratitude.

Update (June 10) – An update from Canadian authorities said a fourth sailing vessel, with two crew members, has issued a distress call approximately 250nm from St. Johns, NL and is taking on water.

One of the three vessels reported in distress earlier has made its way out of the storm and is no longer in need of assistance. Meanwhile a merchant ship, one of two sent to assist the sailors, has successfully rescued two people from a second sailing vessel.

The cruise liner RMS Queen Mary II has been sent to attempt a rescue of the third yacht, and is expected to arrive later Saturday morning.

The three sailing vessels were located about 900nm from St. Johns when the distress calls were issued Friday. The vessels were reported to be spread out over an area of 150nm, requiring the assistance of multiple vessels.

The Canadian Coast Guard vessels Pearkes and Cygnus continue to make there way to the area along with the HMCS Charlottetown. Multiple aircraft with the Royal Canadian Air Force have been dispatched to the area. Canadian authorities have also requested the assistance of a P3 Orion aircraft from Portugal.

The four sailing vessels are among about 21 boats participating in a trans-atlantic OSTAR / TWOSTAR race organized by the Royal Western Yacht Club. The boats are all under 50-feet and crewed by one or two people.

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