Just 17 minutes after the yachts had crossed the starting line of the fourth leg of the race, a radio message from "Maiden" reached the Ocean Globe Race organisers. A man-overboard incident was reported on the "Pen Duick VI", which was built for the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race.
At the time of the accident, the fleet had travelled about 1.25 nautical miles from the starting line and was sailing 0.4 nautical miles from the coast. However, they were sailing in south-westerly winds with gusts of up to 25 knots and swells of three to four metres.
Rescue succeeds within five minutes
Nevertheless, immediate rescue measures were initiated just a few moments after the distress signal. Under the direction of skipper Marie Tabarly, the "Pen Duick VI" stopped. Within five minutes, the lost crew member was taken back on board with the help of the MOB rescue system.
The fourth leg of the Ocean Globe Race will take the fleet from Punta ed Este, Uruguay, to Cowes in the UK. According to current calculations, the yachts in the retro race around the world are expected to arrive there on 9 and 10 April. Two days after the start, the French "Neptune" leads the field, while "Pen Duick VI" is in fifth place in its class.
The fourth leg of the Ocean Globe Race will take the fleet from Punta del Este, Uruguay, to Cowes in the UK. According to current calculations, the yachts in the retro race around the world are expected to arrive there on 9 and 10 April. Two days after the start, the French "Neptune" leads the field, while "Pen Duick VI" is in fifth place in its class.
About the Ocean Globe Race
The Retro race around the world is being held to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race. On 10 September 2023, 14 crews set off from Southampton on the 27,000-mile voyage, which is divided into four stages and leads through the Southern Ocean and around the three large capes.
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Max Gasser
Editor Test & Technology
