Under the guidance of MRCC, a rescue operation was launched from Cape Town when the yacht, Delta Dore, was dismasted in heavy seas in the deep Southern Ocean while participating in the Barcelona World Race. The option for the yacht to head for Marion Island was explored but fears of further damage led her crew and race coordinators to opt that she remain in open water and head in the direction of South Africa.

Her crew, skipper Jeremie Beyou and Sidney Gavignet, have their vessel currently under motor heading North towards South Africa with fuel reserves at her current speed of 3 knots to take her approximately 180 nautical miles. The vessel is otherwise structurally sound.

Two NSRI members joined the crew of The Adventurer Ocean 7, which sailed from the Port of Table Bay yesterday afternoon en-route to assist Delta Dore. Skipper Dave de Villiers and nine crew (including the two NSRI members) are on board the 115 metre power tri-maran.

Once the rescue vessel rendezvous with the yacht a more accurate estimated arrival time in South Africa and at which port they will head to will be available. The yacht’s crew sustained no injuries in the incident and are reported to be in good spirits.