Clipper 09-10 Round the World Race - Race 7 Day 22
by Clipper Ventures 23 Mar 2010 12:37 GMT
The Yacht California skippered by Pete Rollason limps across the Pacific Ocean after being dismasted by during violent storm, whilst racing from Qingdao to San Francisco © Clipper Ventures PLC
California crew safely transferred to merchant vessel
Following the incident which took place on Sunday afternoon GMT in which the California entry in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race was rolled in a fierce Pacific storm, the Danish registered tanker, Nord Nightingale, is now at the scene.
The 180-metre tanker was on passage from Yokohama to Los Angeles and
diverted by US Coastguard last night. It's a standard rule of the sea
that vessels divert when another is in distress and the intention was to
transfer injured crew member Clive Cockram on board.
Clive was sitting in the saloon when the boat rolled and was thrown
across the cabin, ending up with cuts to his head. He responded well to
treatment but it is prudent to ensure that he swiftly gets the best
medical care.
While the winds have dropped from the 60 knots experienced over the last
few days, the sea state is still confused and to make the transfer
required excellent seamanship from both the crew of California and the
Nord Nightingale. After several attempts, Clive was safely transferred
and the launch was recovered to the merchant vessel.
Once on board, the first thing he asked for was to make a phone call to
his Mum! The 53-year-old company director informed her that he requires
some stitches to his wounds but that he was feeling OK and was being
very well looked after. He promised to call her again when the vessel
docks in LA on 31 March.
Fellow crew member, Dennis Flynn, was also taken on board. Dennis had
signed up to sail Leg five of the Clipper Race and since the start in
Qingdao, he has experienced more than most sailors will ever go through.
As an American citizen, the captain of the Nord Nightingale considered
it helpful to have him on board to assist with immigration and medical
issues as the vessel nears Los Angeles.
On board California, the clean up operation continues as they continue
to motor due east towards their destination in San Francisco. Jamaica
Lightning Bolt remains on station shadowing the yacht and relaying
messages back to the Clipper Race Office.
"We finally caught up with California in the dark some 18 hours after we
were diverted to offer assistance," says Pete Stirling, skipper of
Jamaica Lightning Bolt. "We held position with her throughout the day
until the very welcome sight of the tanker loomed over the horizon at
0430 GMT this morning. As they came to a stop next to us they launched
their MOB boat (a small launch with an outboard engine) to come and take
the casualty off California. There was still a large confused swell
running with 25 knots of wind which made the operation no easy task.
After over an hour of attempting to safely get alongside California, the
medevac was successfully completed whilst in the slightly calmer seas of
the lee of the ship. The ships Captain and crew displayed great courage
and seamanship in seeing this difficult task through to a successful
end."
When asked what the situation was like on board California, Pete
replied, "The crew were buoyant and upbeat given what had happened to
them. It must have been a big shock and they have pulled together
extremely well to sort it out. All credit to Pete (Rollason) in the way
he has led his team, it's a big knock back for them but he has given his
crew a good pep talk and they have got on with the task in hand in a
professional manner.
"With more than 2,000 miles to go to San Francisco there are still some
big challenges ahead but nothing which can't be overcome with good
preparation and, dare I say it, a sense of humour."
California is not the only vessel to have emerged from the storm licking
their war wounds. Uniquely Singapore were also served a sharp reminder
on how fierce Mother Nature can be when their boat was knocked down
during the storm. But the team was fortunate and only suffered
relatively minor damage.
In the last 48 hours Uniquely Singapore has had rather an interesting
ride," says skipper Jim Dobie. "The actions of the crew were
outstanding, there was no panicking, and everyone quickly got involved
with getting her back to normal. I must say that I am so proud to be the
skipper of such a magnificent bunch of guys and girls.
"Our concern at the moment is our helm as we still have a bit of a
wobbly wheel. However, we are back up and sailing again and making our
way to California to offer her assistance if required and then we will
continue racing on to San Francisco. We are proud of how we dealt with
the situation and have kept our sponsor's Keppel can, can, can do
attitude all the way."
Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, Spirit of Australia and Hull & Humber have
also diverted to California to offer assistance and to transfer fuel if
required to ensure the US entry reaches her home port safely.
"The news of Singapore's knock-down and California's dismasting has hit
us all hard here on Hull & Humber," says skipper Brendan Hall. "Whatever
it takes, we will get each other into port safely."
Having heard the news about California, the crew on board Edinburgh
Inspiring Capital are fully aware how fortunate they've been and how
wise their decision was to head south and avoid the worst of the storm.
Skipper Matt Pike, says, "Finally the lull between the gusts gets longer
and we have started to emerge out of the low pressure system. Our plan
to stay south seems to have paid off with the wind rarely topping forty
knots and the sea stayed relatively good. Our sympathy goes out to those
who were not so lucky.
"We have been making the most of the break in the weather to check the
boat for wear and tear and fix any small problems that we find. The next
milestone for us will be passing under two thousand miles to finish,
hopefully tomorrow! Meanwhile it's business as usual on the big purple
beastie as we plot a new course around the next system and position
ourselves where we might be able to offer assistance to California if
required."
Race leaders, Cape Breton Island, have emerged from the storm relatively
unscathed and like Edinburgh Inspiring Capital the crew is taking the
opportunity provided by the lull in conditions to have a tidy up on
board.
"After a few days enduring the extreme weather, today has been a fairly
relaxed day's sailing. We have enjoyed the relative lighter wind which
is still blowing at 30 knots and taken the time to dry out as much of
our soaking wet kit as possible.
"We are all thanking our luck for getting through the heavy weather with
little damage to the boat and only a few minor bumps and bruises
suffered by the crew. The boat is now a much nicer environment below
decks as we have bailed out gallons of water from the waves which
crashed onto the decks and flooded down the companionway. We have wiped
and dried every surface on the boat and even managed to have the hatches
open for a little while to help dry her out.
"All of us now are focused on getting ourselves and the boat safely to
San Francisco."
Positions at 0900 UTC: (Boat, DTF*, DTL*)
1 Cape Breton Island, 1618nm
2 Qingdao, 1979nm, 361nm
3 Jamaica Lightning Bolt, 2012nm, 394nm
4 California, 2013nm, 395nm
5 Spirit of Australia, 2040nm, 422nm
6 Uniquely Singapore, 2050nm, 432nm
7 Hull & Humber, 2057nm, 439nm
8 Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, 2221nm, 603nm
9 Team Finland, 4505nm, 2887nm
10 Cork, Did not start
*DTF = Distance to Finish, *DTL = Distance to Leader)
Full positions are updated every three hours and can be found at www.clipperroundtheworld.com