NEWS
A solo sailor onboard a critically damaged yacht over 600 miles west of Cornwall in the midst of Storm Ciarán was saved as part of a two-day rescue operation led by HM Coastguard.
The 14m (46ft) yacht had lost its mast in the midst of the storm and was taking on water in the high seas of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Coastguard received an initial beacon alert from the yacht in the mid-Atlantic around 1130 on 2 November and Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft, along with French aircraft and a merchant ship, began the rescue operation.
The first responding vessel, merchant ship Green Azure, estimated its arrival to be around 20 hours later due to the weather and the yacht’s position, but despite this, changed course and proceeded to the area.
‘Initially, a French Navy FA50 Falcon was launched to locate the vessel and confirm its captain was alive,’ the RAF said in a statement.
At first light on 3 November, an RAF Atlas A400M from RAF Brize Norton flew out to maintain a constant orbit over the vessel, with relief provided by a Poseidon maritime patrol plane from 201 Squadron RAF Lossiemouth, until 1500 the following day when the Green Azure arrived.
The sailor was able to communicate with HM Coastguard throughout. He was recovered aboard the Green Azure safe and well and taken to a place of safety.
The Coastguard praised the sailor for knowing what to do in an emergency and for having the right equip
