From the yacht Adventure - 27 December 2006

• NEWS
• 27 Dec, 2006 06:45:00 PM

From the yacht Adventure - 27 December 2006

The crew of Adventure were recovering from some strong winds and big seas, which resulted in 5 automatic lifejacket inflations, a bruised back (on Al) and an injured shoulder (on Windy).  Down below was chaotic with large wet sails in the companionway, and exhausted wet crew.  Just as we had cleared away the worst of the carnage, we heard Koomooloo talking to Aurora on the VHF saying that they were taking on water and preparing to abandon ship.

Having recorded her position,  we calculated that we were 8 miles away which was approximatly 40 minutes sailing time for us. This made us one of the closest and most able vessels to Koomooloo so We altered course and made best speed towards her, whilst informing race control of the situation.  Having arrived at her location we found her low in the water and her crew bailing to keep her afloat.

By this time several helicopters had arrived on the scene including some from the press and a rescue helicopter.  We were informed that we were to move in and take the crew off Koomooloo directly.  However, due to the large seas running this would have been difficult to achieve, for a number of reasons.  Koomooloo was making 2 knts and is made of wood while Adventure is difficult to steer in big seas at that speed particularly with both boats rolling; It would have been very risky to the crew of Koomooloo, who were low in the water, with the danger that the 50 tonne, steel hulled Adventure could either ride up over her or become close enough for our rigs to clash, causing further damage to both yachts.

Eventually and in consultation with the rescue authorities Koomooloo elected to abandon ship into a liferaft, from where we would be able to take them onto our boat.  Once on board the raft it was blown down wind to Adventure and the crew were assisted aboard, wet but relieved.

Once on board we did all we could to make them comfortable, whilst they watched Koomooloo gradually get lower in the water.  We were instructed to set a course for Eden and having done so, Koomooloo slipped away behind Adventure.  Her crew were clearly shaken by what must have been a nightmare scenario.

A couple of hours later the crew of Koomooloo were transferred to the police launch 'Alert' and taken ashore.  Adventure was in the right place at the right time, any vessel would do the same for us and we were glad that we could assist.  Having met the crew of Koomooloo, we would like to express our sympathy to them at the loss of their yacht. They took it well given the circumstances and even got in a few jokes about the cricket before they left us.

Charles Roberts / Rachel Clayton
Adventure
www.mercurychallenge.mod.uk