According to the organiser Marco Nannini, Simpson was not injured in the accident. However, as a storm was brewing and he saw no chance of reaching the coast under his own power, Simpson activated his Epirb and sent out a distress call. The MRCC Buenos Aires is responsible for coordinating search and rescue operations in this part of the world.
The mast apparently broke when the boat crashed into the trough of a wave. In order not to jeopardise the hull, Simpson detached the rig from the boat and sank it, even though this deprived him of any chance of setting up an emergency rig.
As a precautionary measure, the organiser had also informed another participant in the Global Solo Challenge, Andrea Mura, about the situation. However, he was still sailing 600 nautical miles away from the scene of the accident at the time and would have needed at least 48 hours to reach the position.
Solo sailor rescued from bulk carrier
Finally, the Taiwanese bulk carrier "Sakizaya Youth" was informed by the MRCC. It was on its way to Necochea in Argentina after travelling from Australia to India and Pakistan. The captain then changed course and headed back towards the stricken skipper at a speed of 14 knots in order to reach him before sunset if possible. On the same day, the Global Solo Challenge organiser reported that the rescue operation had been successful and that Simpson had arrived safely on board the "Sakizaya Youth".
"Shipyard Brewing is an Open 50 designed by David Lyons in 1994 and has participated in two BOC Challenges, once as Newcastle Australia under Alan Nebauer and then as Balance Bar under Brad Van Liew.
The damage to the racing yacht was the second mast breakage in this non-stop regatta: at Christmas 2023 the Finn Ari Känsäkoski was caught in the Indian Ocean. However, he made it back to Cape Town in a remarkable odyssey on his own keel under emergency rigging.
About the Global Solo Challenge
Since the end of August 2023, 14 solo sailors, including one female sailor, have started the race around the world on yachts of different sizes in A Coruña, Spain. One boat flying the German flag is not taking part. The Düsseldorfer Philipp Hympendahl originally wanted to compete with a Comfortina 38but had to abandon the project.
