Two yacht crews rescued by passing ships

WEDNESDAY, MAY 23: Two very grateful yacht crews were plucked to safety by passing ships at the end of last week.

On Saturday afternoon two Danish sailors were forced to abandon their 40ft sloop, Petra, after sustaining damage to their keel.

The crew was picked up from their life raft by the Finnish Naval vessel Pohjanmaa and brought into New York.

The rescue operation took place around 570 miles East North-East of Bermuda but it was co-ordinated by Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre as well as the Danish and American Coast Guard.

On Friday the German-flagged container ship, ER Melbourne, came to the aid of the Outer Limits crew.

The 38ft yacht was part of the ARC Europe fleet that called into Bermuda and left St George’s last Wednesday.

The sloop hit a whale just over 300 miles east of the island and sustained significant damage to her hull.

Her four crew members were forced to abandon their vessel and join the ER Melbourne on its voyage to Italy.

Italy

A report on Friday from the ARC Europe website stated: “The German flagged E R Melbourne has now resumed course for Cagliari, Italy.

Outer Limits skipper Joost Gehrels, speaking via satellite phone, said that he and all his crew, Marta Cappiello, Diane Ferrero and Andrew Siess, are safe and well although understandably shaken.

“They have been able to contact their friends and family ashore and inform them that they are okay.”

Meanwhile this week there are cruise ships, container vessels and car carriers heading into Bermuda.

Today the Norwegian Star and Summit arrive in Dockyard for two days.

While tomorrow the Bermuda Islander sails into Hamilton.

On Friday the car carrier Azalea Ace is due to come along side in the capital to deliver the latest batch of Japanese vehicles.

This Saturday the Explorer of the Seas gets into Dockyard from Cape Liberty, while the Norwegian Dawn and Enchantment of the Seas arrive on Sunday.

Finally the Oleander is schedule to come into Hamilton on Sunday afternoon.