Atlantic Rally for Cruisers race yacht evacuated

The four crew of the ARC yacht Magritte have been evacuated after their cruiser began taking on water.

At 1940 (UTC) last Thursday, 3 December, World Cruising Club was contacted by Steve Arnold, skipper of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers yacht Magritte to advise them that his vessel was taking on water off the coast of the Cape Verde islands in the Atlantic.

The source of the ingress could not be identified or stemmed and the four crew on board indicated that assistance was required as the situation worsened.

On the advice of MRCC Falmouth, a Mayday was issued and the yacht’s EPIRB activated. The liferaft was readied in anticipation of a possible need to abandon the yacht.

Magritte is a Moody Grenadier 134, British flagged, owned by Steve and Teresa Arnold.

MRCC Cape Verde co-ordinated the evacuation of the four British crew. Cargo vessel SCL Basilea diverted to provide assistance, reaching Magritte at approximately 0500 (UTC).

The crew were safely evacuated and are all well on board SCL Basilea which is now en route to Spain. Magritte was abandoned at approximate position 16 44.36N 027 27.82W.

The cargo ship with its rescued yacht crew are expected to arrive in Spain this Saturday, 12 December.

Story by Laura Hodgetts at PBO.co.uk

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