Naval frigate HMS Northumberland has lent its support to the rescue of Dee Caffari following the dismasting of Aviva yesterday morning.
Naval frigate HMS Northumberland has lent its support to the rescue of Dee Caffari following the dismasting of Aviva yesterday morning.
The naval frigate learnt of Caffari's difficulties from Falmouth coast guard whilst en-route back from the Mediterranean for Christmas leave. The commanding officer, Martin Simpson, sent a message directly to Caffari onboard Aviva that they were 85 nautical miles away and able to make a small alteration course to offer assistance until a tug arrives today.
HMS Northumberland reached Aviva at 23.25 UTC last night and spent the rest of the night circling Caffari to ensure that all nearby shipping kept clear of the racing yacht. Caffari's ‘guardian angel' enabled the solo sailor to get five hours of much needed sleep, which was essential so she could prepare for the long tow back to Northern Spain. The sea state has now eased enabling the navy to launch one of their support vessels to deliver a bacon sandwich and medical supplies for Caffari's minor injuries. Having provided morale boosting and practical assistance the crew of HMS Northumberland will now assist with attaching the tow later today.
A tug has been arranged from La Coruna and is due to meet up with Caffari at around 14.30 UTC today. Attaching the tow will be a difficult manoeuvre in the very large swell even though the high winds are easing. Caffari will be tested even further as she will have to hand steer, due to rudder damage caused by the broken mast, for the entire 20 to 24 hours back to port.
Andrew Roberts, campaign director based at the shore team's office in Fareham, said: "We have arranged a large tug for the tow back to land, but the situation is still extremely precarious bearing in mind the sea state and the distances involved. The wind is still over 40 knots and the sea state is very rough, however we are hopeful that this will ease by the time the tug meets up with Aviva.
"We are extremely grateful to HMS Northumberland for their support as it was critical to protect Dee from passing ships and enable her to get some sleep. Without HMS Northumberland's protection, Dee would have had a very stressful night worrying about potential collisions in a very busy shipping lanes, which would have left Dee too exhausted to hand steer for 24 hours back to Spain."
Further information on Dee Caffari and her Aviva Ocean Racing campaign can be found at www.avivaoceanracing.com
For further information contact:
Roberto Coladangelo, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7202 2852, mbl: +44 (0) 7860 761273 e-mail: robertoc@karen-earl.co.uk
Caroline Ayling, Tel: +44 (0)20 7202 2840, mbl: +44 (0)7801 351950, e-mail: carolinea@karen-earl.co.uk Notes to editors:
Aviva is the leading provider of life and pensions to Europe with substantial positions in other markets around the world, making it the world's fifth largest insurance group based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2006.
Aviva's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of £41.5 billion and assets under management of £364 billion at 31 December 2006.
- The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com/media includes images, company and product information and a news release archive.
- 2008/9 Vendée Globe qualification requires both the skipper and the boat entering the race to complete a solo qualification sail validated by the Vendée Globe race management of at least 1500 nautical miles, by 1 July 2008. The Transat Ecover B to B will qualify Dee and the current Aviva. However, she will be required to qualify the new Aviva that is currently under construction in Hakes Marine, New Zealand. She will be racing the new Aviva, sister ship to Mike Golding's new Ecover, in the 2008/9 Vendée Globe.