Please select your home edition
Edition
A+T Instruments 2024 Leaderboard

Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50 - Forced to abandon his boat

by Veronique Largeau amended Sail-World.com on 25 Oct 2011
Mathieu Claveau - La Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50 2011 Pierrick Garenne / GPO
La Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50 skipper Mathieu Claveau (405 – Okoume Les chevaux du Beal) is on board the escort boat Edulis, forced to abandon his boat at sea after a collision with an unidentified floating object last night.

The unidentified floating object severely damaged his hull and also caused substantial leaks on board. The water level rose rapidly and forced Mathieu to start the standard procedure for external help request by pressing the red button on his beacon and releasing his sarsat beacon. He has been evacuated off his boat.

A cargo ship was diverted by 45 miles toward the area and the escort boat Edulis was diverted by the Race Organizers. In agreement with the MRCC, which oversaw the operation, the cargo was asked to be on the weather-beam and athwart the sea to protect Mathieu during his evacuation. Mathieu had boarded his life raft and two Edulis's crew members caught him and his first aid bag - which he had carefully prepared. Mathieu will remain on board of Edulis until Bahia.

Mathieu' statement - by Iridium: 'I had 10 knots of wind when it happened. I was asleep and I was awakened by a great shock. I had made more sails and then, while I was looking inside the boat, I saw the water gushing under my kitchen board. I went down, I plunged in my hand and I felt the wood of the hull that had exploded. I think that I hit a metal object which destroyed my hull. The boat was filled with water in an hour. I tried to bail out but I quickly realized that this was not possible and that it was completely useless. I had battery up until half an hour before the arrival of the cargo ship and Edulis in the area. I was surprised that everyone was there so quickly. I had everything prepared to stay one or two days without help. All is fine... '

Also Australian skipper Scott Cavanough (797 - brainchild.org.au) at low speeds at 6 a.m (UTC), confirmed - via his beacon - that he has a technical problem on board his proto at 10:00 a.m. Rudder problem? Mast problem? The race director asked an escort boat to divert to the area to know more and get in touch with him by VHF.

On October 22nd Brendan Archin ( 757 - Association La Touline) informed the race director - via his beacon - that he had a technical problem aboard and was diverting to Mindelo once again.

Bert Bossyns (585 - Felicity II) told the race director that he had been forced to withdraw from the La Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat website
Exposure MarineAllen Dynamic 40 FooterZhik 2024 December

Related Articles

Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Preview
Getting ready to race at Monte Real Club de Yates in Baiona Today (Friday) Galicia's prestigious Monte Real Club de Yates in Baiona (Galicia, Spain) hosted the official presentation of the GALICIA 52 SUPER SERIES ROYAL CUP, the second scoring event for the 2025 season of the 52 SUPER SERIES.
Posted on 30 May
Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta day 3
No racing due to light wind in Porto Cervo The forecast of very light winds proved to be accurate today as the starting procedure for the third day of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta and the Southern Wind RendezVous got under way.
Posted on 30 May
1D35 "Relentless" to Race 2025 LBRW with new owner
First-time owner Derek Williamson eager to join the fleet for premier event As Derek Williamson prepares to race in his first regatta - Long Beach Race Week (LBRW) - where he'll be helming his own boat, Williamson acknowledges that he's new to the game and has a lot to learn.
Posted on 30 May
Armstrong Foils: On tour - Home of Armstrong II
Join America's Cup champion, Blair Tuke and Armstrong team riders on the tour of NZ's Far North Join three times America's Cup champion, Blair Tuke and Armstrong team riders Olivia Jenkins, Naumi Eychenne, Bowien van der Linden, Cash Berzolla, and Reo Stevens, on the Home of Armstrong Tour II, as they explore NZ's Far North.
Posted on 30 May
Tom Gruitt passes away
Sailing photographer, writer, video editor, but most of all, a friend to many Tom Gruitt, photographer, writer, video editor, but most of all, a friend to many, has passed away at the far too young age of 37.
Posted on 30 May
Rooster - Supporting Women in Sailing
Here to amplify women's voices, create better gear, and help shape a more inclusive future At Rooster, we're proud to be part of a movement that's putting women at the forefront of sailing - not just on race day, but every day.
Posted on 30 May
5.5 Metre German Open in Warnemunde day 1
Race wins go Beta Crucis and New Moon III New Moon III (BAH 25, Christoph Burger, Kim Chabani, Peter Vlasov) is the early leader after two races in great conditions at the 2025 5.5 Metre German Open in Warnemunde.
Posted on 30 May
Casa Vela Cup 2025 at St Francis Yacht Club Day 2
Another flawless day for top-ranked French skipper Pauline Courtois and her team Another thrilling day of racing with top-ranked French skipper Pauline Courtois and her Match in Pink Normandy Elite Team continuing their unbeaten streak with fifteen straight wins in the qualifying round robin stage, asserting a dominant lead.
Posted on 30 May
XR41 shines at Fyn Rundt with 1st and 2nd in class
Formula X and Xbox dominate prestigious Danish regatta under new conditions In a weekend of challenging conditions and fierce competition,the high-performance racer secured 1st and 2nd in its class, and 4th and 5th overall out of 220 boats at the prestigious Fyn Cup, a 145-nautical-mile regatta around Denmark's island of Funen.
Posted on 30 May
Team Racing Worlds at Newport, RI, Day 1
Tricky conditions & challenging 2v2 format tests Team Racing fleet Gray skies, intermittent rain and shifty light winds were not enough to dampen the energy and enthusiasm on Narragansett Bay for Day 1 of the Team Racing World Championship under way at Harbour Court.
Posted on 30 May