Glasgow Clipper safely recovers crew member swept overboard
by Heather Ewing 28 Nov 2007 13:53 GMT
Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper Skipper, Hannah Jenner, has informed the Race Office that a 42-year-old male crew member has been recovered safely and uninjured after being swept overboard from the bow during a headsail change in the early hours of Wednesday morning. She reported the incident happened in force 6-7 winds more than 600 nautical miles off the coast of South Africa.
The crew member was following safety procedures and was wearing a life jacket with an integral harness and was clipped onto the boat with a safety line at the time of the incident. The precise circumstances in which he went overboard are being investigated at present and further details will be issued in due course.
Clipper Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, said, “Thanks to our comprehensive Clipper Training, the crew member was recovered from the water in just nine minutes in very difficult conditions. Hannah and her crew demonstrated excellent seamanship throughout the incident and I would like to congratulate them on the professional and swift manner in which they dealt with the situation.”
Hannah, 26, reported to the Race Office that her crew reacted quickly and immediately pressed the Man Overboard button on the GPS system to mark on the chart the position at which he was swept into the sea. The yacht’s engine was started in order to recover the crew member and he was brought onboard after just nine minutes in the water. As soon as he was back onboard, he received immediate medical attention from the boat medic, a general surgeon when not racing with Clipper 07-08, who is a member of the crew of Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper. The crew member was treated for signs of hypothermia and for shock but no other injuries. Hannah received medical advice via Falmouth Coastguard and is continuing to monitor the crew member’s condition. All the other crew onboard are safe and well.
As a precautionary measure, Hull & Humber and Nova Scotia diverted to Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper in order to transfer additional medical supplies. The two boats were racing in close proximity to Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper at the head of the fleet.
Race Director, Joff Bailey, says, “Both the man overboard and personnel and equipment transfer manoeuvres are practiced in training to cover just this situation. That Hannah and her crew reacted so quickly and efficiently is a testament to the high level of training they have undergone and skills they have developed as ocean racing yachtsmen and women.”
Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper was leading Race 4 from Durban, South Africa, to Fremantle, Western Australia, when the incident occurred. All three yachts have now resumed racing in this 4,220 nautical mile race to Australia, and at the 1200 GMT schedule Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper had retaken the lead. The first boats are expected to arrive in Fremantle around 17 December.