ARC fleet rally to help dismasted yacht

Participants in the 2022 ARC transatlantic rally formed a ‘pipeline’ to refuel the Grand Soleil 54 Take Off after it was dismasted some 1,400 miles east of St Lucia.

The Take Off crew reported they were checking the mast footing as it was making a noise, when they heard a cracking sound and the gooseneck sheared through the mast. “The mast fell on the starboard side with [crewmember] Johan under,” Take Off's Louise Wennberg posted on the boat Facebook page. “As the mainsail was sheeted, the wind raised the mast immediately relieving Johan and just like a huge hand, pulled the mast up so it fell over on the port side.”

The crew quickly cut away all the rigging using tools varying from a battery operated angle grinder, metal saw and even a bread knife, freeing the mast from the boat. They also issued a Pan Pan, which was received by Lagoon 450F Aphrodite 1, just two miles behind.

EVACUATION

 Aphrodite 1 was fortunately able to put a doctor on board to examine the crew who'd been trapped under the rigging and injured their hip. They were subsequently evacuated with two others to the US Navy Research Ship Ronald H Brown.

Aphrodite 1 was also the first rally yacht to transfer spare diesel fuel to Take Off. Take Off’s skipper Jorgen Wennberg had assessed their needs as close to 900lt of fuel required to reach St Lucia under engine. ARC Rally Control put out a fleet-wide call for assistance, which resulted in 21 yachts volunteering jerry cans or spare fuel from their tanks. The US Navy also gave the crew six full jerry cans, and filled five more of Take Off’s own – a total exchange of over 200lt.