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Displaying items by tag: Whale Boat

#WhaleBoat - A nurse from Northern Ireland was among those who assisted survivors of the tragic whale boat capsize in Canada at the weekend, as BBC News reports.

Five people – all British – died and a sixth, an Australian national, is still missing after the whale-watching boat Leviathan II sank off Vancouver Island on Sunday.

Twenty-one others on the boat were rescued from the water thanks to the quick action of the local Ahousaht First Nation community, who were first to respond, along with fishing boats and other vessels in the area.

Also at a nearby dock to give comfort to the survivors as they came ashore was Sheila Simpson, originally from Strabane, Co Tyrone, who told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster: "I looked them in the eye and I put my hand to their back and I said 'you are alive, you have survived'."

The stability of the Leviathan II at the time of the incident in question as it's believed the passengers – none of whom were wearing lifejackets – were standing on the vessel's port side when an unexpected wave hit from starboard in what were reportedly calm conditions.

BBC News has more on the story HERE.

Published in News Update

About the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is undoubtedly one of the greatest ocean adventures on the planet, also regarded as one of its toughest endurance challenges. Taking almost a year to complete, it consists of eleven teams competing against each other on the world’s largest matched fleet of 70-foot ocean racing yachts.

The Clipper Race was established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1968-69. His aim was to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to embrace the thrill of ocean racing; it is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors. Around 40 per cent of crew are novices and have never sailed before starting a comprehensive training programme ahead of their adventure.

This unique challenge brings together everyone from chief executives to train drivers, nurses and firefighters, farmers, airline pilots and students, from age 18 upwards, to take on Mother Nature’s toughest and most remote conditions. There is no upper age limit, the oldest competitor to date is 76.

Now in its twelfth edition, the Clipper 2019-20 Race started from London, UK, on 02 September 2019.