The rescue operation is being coordinated by MRCC Norfolk. It has sent out a distress call to all shipping in the affected sea area. Another ARC participant yacht sailing nearby and the mega motor yacht "Project X" are currently involved in the search. This was announced by the British company World Cruising Club, which organises the ARC every year.
Accident site too far from land for a helicopter mission
An aerial search is not possible due to the distance of the accident site from land. The World Cruising Club assumes that the casualty was wearing an automatically inflatable lifejacket to which a personal AIS signal was attached. However, the exact circumstances of the accident are not yet known. World Cruising writes:
Our thoughts and prayers are with the accident victim, his family and friends and all the crew members of the Ocean Breeze at this incredibly difficult time.
"Ocean Breeze" is an Austrian-flagged Volvo 70 yacht that takes part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, the annual cruising flotilla from Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia. The yacht is one of eleven other boats sailing in the IRC class of the rally. Yachts in this division must fulfil the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations for Category 1 and the safety equipment requirements of the World Cruising Club.
A total of 820 sailors on board 140 yachts are taking part in the ARC 2024 this year. The event started on Sunday 24 November in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and will cover 2,700 nautical miles across the Atlantic to Saint Lucia. The ARC is being held for the 39th time this year.
Update from 3 December:
In view of the fading daylight and deteriorating sea state, MRCC Norfolk terminated the active search on Monday 2 December at 20:45 UTC. MRCC has asked all vessels capable of doing so to alter course to pass the search area at 20° 24.838 N and 043° 11.623 W to look for signs of a person in the water. In particular, all ARC yachts have been asked to comply with the MRCC's request.
The area will be changed over time to reflect drift rates and weather conditions. MRCC Norfolk will continue to provide updated coordinates.
