Volvo Ocean Race: "We are devastated"

The Volvo Ocean Race family mourns the loss of John Fisher. The British sailor went overboard in stormy winds in the Southern Ocean on Monday afternoon and could not be found again despite an immediately launched search and rescue operation in stormy winds and high waves. His team, Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag, has since had to call off the search in the increasing storm and set course for the coast of South America, some 1200 nautical miles away. No further details are yet known about the exact course of the tragedy.

Owner Lee Seng Huang and sponsor Sun Hung Kai released the following statement on Tuesday morning:

"We are devastated by the news about our crew member John Fisher following a man-overboard accident on Monday afternoon. Witty (skipper David Witt, ed.) and the Scallywag crew have been battling extremely treacherous conditions in the Southern Ocean and his tragedy is heartbreaking. The crew did everything in their power to recover John and carried out an intensive search and rescue operation in stormy conditions. With the weather forecast to deteriorate further and night falling, the team made the difficult decision to set course for the coast of South America, some 1200 nautical miles away. During our long passages together, I got to know Fish well. Despite the dangers of the sport, he loved sailing. He is one of us, a team member for a long time. He is a great and experienced sailor, the nicest person and a true Scallywag. Our thoughts and prayers go out to John's family and crew at this difficult time. We are working with the Volvo Ocean Race, giving all the support we can. Now we are concentrating on getting the boat and crew to a safe harbour."

The facts known so far and the statement by VOR President Richard Brisius

Richard Brisius, President of the Volvo Ocean Race, also released a statement on Tuesday morning:

This morning I am very sad to have to inform you that we must now assume that one of our sailors, John Fisher of Team Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag, is lost at sea.

This is heartbreaking for all of us. For us as sailors and race organisers, losing a crew member at sea is an unbelievable tragedy. We are devastated and our thoughts go out to John's family, friends and team mates.

The race organisers were informed of the man-overboard incident by the Sun Hung Kai Scallywag team shortly after 13:00 UTC (15:00 German time) yesterday. We immediately coordinated (our actions, ed.) with the team and also with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, who identified a vessel and diverted it to the scene of the accident. However, given the speed at which it was travelling, it was still a day away.

With the rest of the Volvo Ocean Race fleet some 200 miles downwind, sending them back to help against the gale force winds was not a realistic option.

The Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag team conducted an extensive search operation over several hours in extremely challenging conditions, but failed to recover their crew mate. In view of the cold water temperatures, the extreme swell and the time that has passed since the accident, we must now assume that John is lost at sea.

Everyone here on the Volvo Ocean Race organising team sends our heartfelt condolences to John's family, friends and teammates. We will do everything in our power to support them at this very difficult time.

The Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag team is now heading north-east. In fact, the team is still in very challenging conditions. The weather is deteriorating and, according to the forecasts, will become quite severe throughout the day. The crew is naturally emotionally and physically battered after what they have just experienced. We are now focussing on providing the team with all the support and help we can.

We are sure that there will be many questions about how one of our sailors was able to go overboard yesterday. We will be able to answer these after a full debriefing with the crew. Today, however, our thoughts are with John's family and the entire Scallywag team."