Rolex Fastnet Race- Capsized supermaxi Rambler righted plus Video

by Sail-World on 18 Aug 2011 The Irish Times is reporting that the capsized supermaxi, Rambler 100, owned by US businessman George David, has finally been righted in Barley Cove bay, Ireland.

'The hull was being pumped out yesterday evening before the yacht was towed into port without its mast and rigging,' says the Times.

'Seán Harrington of Atlantic Towage and Marine Ltd of Castletownbere, Co Cork, said the location of the mast on the seabed had been identified and marked.

'Divers examined the condition of the hull of the Rambler 100 off Barley Cove near Mizen Head in good weather conditions yesterday morning, also retrieving bags and personal items.

'It took several efforts to upturn the hull, which is believed to be sound. The canting keel mechanism which allows the keel to pivot was fitted to the hull in a watertight box.



'It had originally been planned to use the deep-sea tug Ocean Bank, owned and run by Mr Harrington, to tow the hull from its location several miles south of Fastnet Rock into Bantry Bay on Tuesday night, where it could be lifted out at Castletownbere fishing harbour. However, in talks with the owner, it was decided that the stricken vessel should be anchored off Barley Cove for diver inspection, the Irish Times reports.

'Meanwhile the Royal Ocean Racing Club, organisers of the Rolex Fastnet is co-operating with an inquiry being held and holding is also holding its own review.

'The yacht’s own satellite beacons did not activate until some 10 hours after the capsize, but a personal emergency position indicating radio beacon worn by one of the 21 crew alerted Scottish and Irish rescue agencies.

The Irish Times says that a US SAR Map program driven by wind, wave and current data supplied by Clare-based meteorological firm Nowcasting helped Valentia Coast Guard in Co Kerry to locate the missing crew.

According to another newspaper, the Irish Examiner, righting of the supermaxi took several attempts after being pumped out

'The USD14 million yacht, which capsized on Monday during the Fastnet race, was finally rolled back onto its hull on the fifth attempt, just before 8pm', says the Examiner.

'The deck was a mass of tangled ropes and sailing bags. Its giant mast and rigging had earlier been cut away after divers retrieved some of the crew’s personal belongings and passports from the upturned boat.

'Water pumps were placed on board to clear the hull as plans were made to tow the 100ft yacht, back to Baltimore overnight for further assessment.

'Some of the sailors at the centre of the dramatic rescue on Monday left Ireland yesterday.

Diplomats arranged emergency passports for four of the 21-strong multinational crew to allow them board flights at Cork Airport for Britain, and on to the US.

'They left as US millionaire George David, who owns the yacht, was reunited in Baltimore with his partner Wendy Touton who has made a full recovery from hypothermia.'

Shortly after rounding the Fastnet Rock the keel on George David's super maxi Rambler100 snapped off and the boat quickly capsized.



The yacht Rambler which capsized in the Rolex Fastnet Race is towed into Barleycove Bay in West Cork, Ireland.