MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY
COI
MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY
Press Notice No :97/98 14th August, 1998
MILFORD HAVEN COASTGUARD RESCUE SURVIVOR OF SUNKEN YACHT
Milford Haven Coastguard received a Mayday distress call at
approximately 0350 hours this morning relating to a single handed
Yacht race taking place between Ireland and France.
Milford Haven received the mayday from the Yacht ANTIPODE, reporting
that a fellow competitor, the Yacht NINTENDO had run aground on North
Bishop Rock west of St David's. The coastguard received no call
from the yacht NINTENDO itself.
Coastguard immediately tasked RAF Rescue Helicopter 169 from Chivenor
to the scene and two RNLI lifeboats and received assistance from a
French naval vessel escorting the race and seven other yachts. The
Rescue Helicopter 169 was relieved by the Irish Marine Emergency
Services (IMES) rescue helicopter R116.
After an extensive search of the area, the man was located ashore at
Gesail Bay by a St Davids Coastguard Team. The man was airlifted by
rescue helicopter R116 and transferred to Swansea hospital, he was
cold on recovery but is thought to be fine. He reported that the
Yacht NINTENDO had sunk.
Peter Morris, District Controller at Milford Haven Coastguard said:
" We don't as yet know how this accident had occurred and any single
handed operation is particularly risky, it's fortunate the ANTIPODE
spotted the stricken yacht and immediately contacted us. We
understand the survivor has the use of only one arm and somehow
managed to make his way 4 and a half miles across very inhospitable
waters and up 150ft of cliff. Coastguard are still ascertaining the
exact details. He is very lucky to have been found by one of our
teams.
Our Coastguard went to St David's Head because it is a good vantage
point. The mist cleared slightly and he saw the survivor in a red
and white suit on the cliff face. We helped him on the remainder of
the cliff and arranged for his evacuation."
Ends.
COI
MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY
Press Notice No :97/98 14th August, 1998
MILFORD HAVEN COASTGUARD RESCUE SURVIVOR OF SUNKEN YACHT
Milford Haven Coastguard received a Mayday distress call at
approximately 0350 hours this morning relating to a single handed
Yacht race taking place between Ireland and France.
Milford Haven received the mayday from the Yacht ANTIPODE, reporting
that a fellow competitor, the Yacht NINTENDO had run aground on North
Bishop Rock west of St David's. The yacht was later discovered to be
called LORD JEMINY. The coastguard received no call from the yacht
LORD JEMINY itself.
Coastguard immediately tasked RAF Rescue Helicopter 169 from Chivenor
to the scene and two RNLI lifeboats and received assistance from a
French naval vessel escorting the race and seven other yachts. The
Rescue Helicopter 169 was relieved by the Irish Marine Emergency
Services (IMES) rescue helicopter R116.
After an extensive search of the area, a French man, Bruno Joudren
was located ashore at Llechenhiden by the St Davids Coastguard
station officer, Tony Pearce. The man was airlifted by rescue
helicopter R116 and transferred to Swansea hospital, he was cold on
recovery but is thought to be fine. He had been resting on his vessel
when he had realised he was heading towards rocks. He unsuccessfully
tried to avoid collision and could not radio for help as his portable
radio had a flat battery. Fortunately he was able to contact the
ANTIPODE using his mobile phone. He waited with his vessel for
approximately 5 hours before hearing a helicopter at which point he
began to climb up the cliffs and was spotted by the coastguard. He
last saw his vessel as it was sinking below him.
Peter Morris, District Controller at Milford Haven Coastguard said:
"Despite being given an incorrect position initially, we are pleased
that our search area encompassed the position of distress and that
the man was found by our search teams. It is a pity his VHF radio had
a flat battery as he could have indicated his exact position sooner.
We understand the survivor had the use of only one arm and he is very
lucky to have been found by one of our teams. We would advise that
people at sea don't rely on mobile phones as a form of communication
as they often result in lack of information.