Grounding in Volvo Ocean Race: Video

The Volvo Ocean race has been dealt a savage blow with the grounding of the yacht Team Vestas Wind on Saturday (Nov 29).

The VO65 hit the Cargados Carajos Shoals, Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean. Fortunately, no one has been injured.

Team Alvimedica diverted from its course and stood by during the night, and in the morning, a boat from the small coast guard station on the nearby Isle de Sud evacuated the crew.

When the boat hit the reef, both rudders were torn off and the crew reported water ingress in the aft of the boat.

Team Vestas Wind reported that they had deployed two life rafts as the stern of the boat was being beaten on rocks of the reef. The bow is pointing out to sea.

The team added that they were keeping the life rafts some 15 metres from the boat, which the crew could reach if necessary.

Team Alvimedica Navigator Will Oxley shares this update from on board: "We are in contact with Vestas every 30 minutes on VHF radio whilst we wait for dawn at which time the local coast guard should be able to help effect a rescue. Meanwhile I am sure it is great for them to know we are standing by and ready to intersect their life rafts when they reach deep enough water for us to safely navigate in should they abandon at night.

"Our sails are down and we are motoring back and forth on the lagoon side of the reef remaining as close as possible to the crew of Vestas Wind while they require assistance. We cannot get closer than about 1.8 miles to them because they are hard on the reef but in the event they abandon to the rafts we may be able to help with recovery. We may also be required to help after rescue but we await advice on this," Oxley said.

"For all practical purposes we are no longer racing towards Abu Dhabi for now, but we have not suspended racing. However, in accordance with the laws of the sea, and Racing Rules of Sailing Fundamental Rule 1.1 we are standing by Vestas 'to give all possible help to any person or vessel in danger'."

As is obvious from the accompanying photos taken from Team Alvimedica, the rig of the stricken yacht is still intact. At the time of writing, no decision had been made as to how the boat would be salvaged.

Questions have been raised as to how a new multi-million dollar racing yacht with some of the best professional sailors in the world could come to such an inauspicious end.

We will have to wait until the crew give their accounts of events before passing any judgement. We’ll keep you informed.

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