Greg McGuckin’s Selfless Heroism Wins September Sailor of the Month Special Award

1st October 2018

Afloat.ie Team

Ocean hero – Greg McGuckin arrives into Perth today, having been brought from the mid-ocean Amsterdam Island aboard HMAS Ballarat

Being dismasted during a shattering 360 degree roll in the tumultuous Southern Indian Ocean in the roughest part of the Golden Jubilee Golden Globe Race would have created an extreme survival situation for most sailors. But after it happened to Gregor McGuckin with his vintage Biscay 36 ketch Hanley Energy Endurance, he soon heard that, 90 miles away, rival skipper Abilash Tomy was in an even worse situation, dismasted and incapacitated by injury.

McGuckin immediately set about clearing his vessel and erecting a jury rig, as at that time he appeared to be the only vessel near enough to bring help in time to Tomy. He had got to within 30 miles of the crippled boat when help arrived earlier than expected through an Arctic Fisheries Patrol vessel, but Gregor McGuckin’s selfless heroism is deserving of the highest praise.

Published in Sailor of the Month

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Gregor McGuckin

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