A yacht competing in the west-to-east Transatlantic Race has been left adrift mid-Atlantic after it was abandoned by its crew amid a collision drama.
On Tuesday (1 July), Gary Nackman’s Baltic 51 High Note contacted the race team reporting damage to the rudder. Below is the official statement from the Transatlantic Race team about High Note and the seven crew on board:
During the early hours of July 1, High Note, one of the yachts competing in the NYYC/RORC Transatlantic Race, hit an unidentified object underwater causing significant damage to the yacht’s rudder and propellor.
Another competing yacht, Avanti, diverted to offer assistance. The crew of Avanti carried out a dive on High Note to assess damage, and during the next few hours the crew of High Note worked to try and free the rudder without causing further damage to the yacht.
Unfortunately, this was unsuccessful and further assistance was offered and accepted by a French Commercial vessel Anemos.
With a worsening forecast, the crew of High Note made the sensible decision to transfer the crew to Anemos and High Note was taken in tow. After a short time the tow line parted and High Note is currently adrift in the Atlantic.
Great credit should be given to the crew of High Note and Avanti for their seamanlike efforts, and grateful thanks to the skipper and crew of Anemos.
The NYYC/RORC team were in constant contact during the incident and both US and UK coast guards are aware of the situation.
The incident occurred just days after Tschüss 2, aided by two Irish sailing stalwarts among its crew, claimed line honours in the west-to-east race, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.
