BT distress beacon activated – Rescue process under way |
Gran rogne alla Transat Jacques Vabre, stanno prendendo un po’ tutti delle sberle da paura e su BT hanno attivato il
loro EPIRB distress beacon
.
At approximately 10:20hrs GMT today, BT crew Sébastien Josse and Jean-François Cuzon activated their EPIRB distress beacon after having suffered major damage following a night b
attling it out in fierce seas and winds reaching 60 knots at times. The skippers are in regular contact with TJV Race Director Jean Maurel, and have reported significant damage to the coachroof, and water entering the boat. The MRCC are coordinating operations with the Transat Jacques Vabre Race Direction and the BT shore team, to ensure the safe recovery of the skippers. MRCC Falmouth confirmed that the RCC Azores have sent a helicopter and a Navy vessel towards BT, whilst emitting a satellite broadcast alert to shipping in the area. BT was positioned 210 miles North of the Azores, 42 10º N – 27 50º W.
BT co-skipper Jeff Cuzon spoke to Race Director Jean Maurel at 13:25 GMT approximately, saying that the situation has been stabilised on board BT and both men are secure, calmly waiting for the rescue operation to unfold. A helicopter is currently refuelling and will depart to locate BT as soon as possible. Due to the conditions it might not be possible to recover the skippers by air. A rescue boat was reported to be 30 miles away from BT and making best speed towards BT. The crew still have their handheld Iridium satellite phone, and the EPIRB beacon is functioning properly, reporting BT’s position.
