EMERGENCY SERVICES were engaged in a dramatic rescue off the south coast last night after a boat participating in the Fastnet yacht race capsized with 21 on board.
The incident, off the Baltimore coast in west Cork, left 16 people sitting on the hull of the US-registered vessel the Rambler 100, waiting to be rescued. They were subsequently taken ashore by the Baltimore lifeboat. Five others, who were tethered together in the water for over three hours, were rescued by the crew of a private vessel, the Wave Chieftain, which was in the area at the time.
One of these, a woman, was airlifted to Tralee General Hospital, while the other four were taken ashore.
The yacht capsized some time after 8pm last night in foggy but not very rough conditions.
The Baltimore RNLI lifeboat was called first to the scene with the successful rescue operation being co-ordinated by the Irish Coast Guard services. Coast Guard Sikorsky helicopters from Shannon and Waterford were also called in to help with the rescue effort, as was the LE Ciara naval vessel while the Army had transport on standby in Cork.
The LE Ciararemained standing off the capsized yacht last night, as it had been deemed a navigational hazard.
The Baltimore sailing club along with members of the local community provided food, clothes and showers for the people rescued.
An update from the Rambler 100prior to its capsizing, carried on the official race website spoke of the high speeds they were achieving.
“We are about 30 minutes away and ripping in at 22 knots. Lots going on so this will be short – the conditions are expected to get quite a bit rougher for the second half of the race . . . should be fun”, it read.
It is believed that a keel failure may have caused the sudden capsizing of the vessel. The 100-foot US entry, which had been a favourite to win in its monohull class, had no time to issue a Mayday before it turned turtle between the Fastnet rock off the west Cork coast and the Pantaenius buoy on the race course.
It is believed that its “canting” keel may have broken or sheared. This type of keel, fitted on high performance yachts, can pivot to port or starboard, depending on the yacht’s current back. However, rescue services were alerted when the yacht’s emergency position indicating radio beacon issued a satellite signal, giving its position.
The Baltimore community was organising blankets and hot food, according to lifeboat press officer Sheelagh Broderick.
Weather conditions were reasonable for offshore racing, with wind backing southerly and gusting to force six with a 2-3m sea swell.
Some 314 yachts set out in the race from Cowes, southern England on Sunday. The largest trimarans had rounded Fastnet rock early yesterday morning, but the Rambler 100 had experienced an unfortunate start when its headsail shredded.