News

Jamaica prepares to transfer injured crew member

17 September 2007

A 40-year-old male crew member on Jamaica in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race has sustained injuries during an accidental gybe on the second day of Race 1 from Liverpool to La Rochelle. The crew member’s next of kin has been informed and Falmouth Coastguard is coordinating a medical evacuation.
Jamaica’s skipper Simon Bradley contacted the Race Team at 1920 UTC on Monday 17 September after the crew member was injured on deck. No other crew members suffered injuries in the incident.
A qualified doctor, who is one of the 12 crew members onboard, has been liaising with staff at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and preparations are being made to evacuate the injured crew member from the yacht. A Royal Navy helicopter from RNAS Culdrose was tasked to assist with the evacuation. The helicopter was on the scene at 2010 UTC but was unable to transfer the casualty due to the conditions.
When the helicopter reached the yacht, she was located approximately 40 nautical miles north northwest of Land’s End where they reported force 6 northerly winds with large seas.
Falmouth Coastguard has advised Skipper Simon Bradley to head towards Mounts Bay off the south coast of Cornwall where a transfer to a lifeboat can be carried out in calmer seas. This is expected to take place early on Tuesday morning.
Race Director Jonathan Bailey said: “We are in regular contact with Skipper Simon Bradley onboard Jamaica and he and his crew are heading to calmer waters to evacuate the crew member so that he can receive medical attention ashore. We cover such scenarios in the comprehensive training that we provide for all our crews.’
When the transfer is complete, Simon and his crew will continue to La Rochelle.
The fleet of ten Clipper 68s competing in Clipper 07-08 left Liverpool on Sunday 16 September at the start of their ten-month race around the world. The fleet is expected to arrive in La Rochelle on Wednesday 19 September. After a four-day visit that coincides with the Grand Pavois boat show they will start Race 2 from La Rochelle on Sunday 23 September.
A 40-year-old male crew member on Jamaica in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race has sustained injuries during an accidental gybe on the second day of Race 1 from Liverpool to La Rochelle. The crew member’s next of kin has been informed and Falmouth Coastguard is coordinating a medical evacuation.
Jamaica’s skipper Simon Bradley contacted the Race Team at 1920 UTC on Monday 17 September after the crew member was injured on deck. No other crew members suffered injuries in the incident.
A qualified doctor, who is one of the 12 crew members onboard, has been liaising with staff at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and preparations are being made to evacuate the injured crew member from the yacht. A Royal Navy helicopter from RNAS Culdrose was tasked to assist with the evacuation. The helicopter was on the scene at 2010 UTC but was unable to transfer the casualty due to the conditions.
When the helicopter reached the yacht, she was located approximately 40 nautical miles north northwest of Land’s End where they reported force 6 northerly winds with large seas.
Falmouth Coastguard has advised Skipper Simon Bradley to head towards Mounts Bay off the south coast of Cornwall where a transfer to a lifeboat can be carried out in calmer seas. This is expected to take place early on Tuesday morning.
Race Director Jonathan Bailey said: “We are in regular contact with Skipper Simon Bradley onboard Jamaica and he and his crew are heading to calmer waters to evacuate the crew member so that he can receive medical attention ashore. We cover such scenarios in the comprehensive training that we provide for all our crews.’
When the transfer is complete, Simon and his crew will continue to La Rochelle.
The fleet of ten Clipper 68s competing in Clipper 07-08 left Liverpool on Sunday 16 September at the start of their ten-month race around the world. The fleet is expected to arrive in La Rochelle on Wednesday 19 September. After a four-day visit that coincides with the Grand Pavois boat show they will start Race 2 from La Rochelle on Sunday 23 September.
Further updates will be posted as soon as they are available.

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