Rescue bid continues for sailors

A rescue operation was continuing tonight to recover four sailors who were injured when a large wave crashed on to their yacht during a round-the-world race.

Rough weather has delayed the mission, and the US Coast Guard is now assessing conditions to see if it can still go ahead.

Three British crew members and one Australian were hurt on board the vessel which is currently 400 miles off the California coast in the Pacific Ocean.

They suffered a range of injuries – including suspected broken ribs – when a wave hit the boat in storm conditions yesterday, sweeping away its steering wheel and mount and some of its communications equipment.

The boat, the Geraldton Western Australia, is one of 10 UK-registered 68ft yachts competing in the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race, which takes place once every two years.

Race organisers Clipper Ventures said the injured crew include Jane Hitchens, a 50-year-old doctor from Kent, who has four suspected broken ribs, and Mark Burkes, 37, from Worcestershire, who has suffered a back injury.

The others were named as Nik Brbora, a 28-year-old software engineer living in London, who has possible pelvic sprain, and 62-year-old Max Wilson, from Queensland, Australia, who has two suspected cracked or broken ribs.

The rest of the 18-strong crew are said to be uninjured but shaken by the incident and those who are medically-trained have treated the four injured crew members.

The planned rescue mission involves launching a helicopter from a Coast Guard ship to transfer an on board paramedic to the yacht. Subject to their medical condition, the injured crew will be taken off the yacht and airlifted to the Coast Guard vessel and then to shore for medical treatment. Earlier a C-130 aircraft dropped additional medical supplies to the yacht, including oxygen for one of the crew.

An initial attempt was made at around 2am (6pm local time) to parachute medical help to the sailors but it was abandoned after poor weather conditions meant paramedics were unable to jump out of the aircraft.

Waves near the yacht are reported to be between 9ft (2.7m) and 15ft (4.6m), and wind speeds are between 20mph (32km/h) and 30mph (48km/h)

US coast guard spokesman Levi Read said: “It’s certainly dangerous out there. But that kind of weather is normal for this time of year especially for the storms we’ve been having here in California.”

The yacht is heading towards Oakland, San Francisco Bay, under secondary steering and is expected to reach land within two or three days.

Race director Jonathan Bailey said: “We are naturally concerned at the recent incident on Geraldton Western Australia and are in close contact with the skipper, UK Maritime and Coastguard at Falmouth and the US Coast Guard.

“The safety of all Clipper Race crew is extremely important to us. Our skippers are highly experienced and several crew members on board have medical training.”