Please select your home edition
Edition
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350

Gale force winds play havoc with sun-seeking rallies

by Bernews/Sail-World Cruising on 8 Nov 2011
NOAA view of the storm which has disrupted the rally to the Caribbean SW
Gale force winds have played havoc with the annual rally to the Caribbean from Newport to Bermuda, the event which delivers yachts from the cold climes of the north to warm waters of the Caribbean just in time for the season, and also delayed the start of another rally, the Caribbean 1500.

The North American Rally To The Caribbean’s [NARC] has been severely disrupted by last weekend’s savage storms, with the cargo ship Oleander picking up four survivors from one abandoned yacht.


Most of the fleet of 22 boats left Newport on November 1st, under fair skies, and were expected to arrive in Bermuda sometime last weekend. The gale force winds have thrown these plans aside, however, as many yachts chose to hove to until the severe weather passes. This year's NARC is the 12th edition of this event, which is organized by Hank Schmidt and Offshore Passage Opportunities, and includes boats ranging in size from a 36-foot Columbia to an Oyster 56 and eight Swans from a 44 to a 56. After Bermuda, the fleet then heads to St. Maarten.

In addition, the Caribbean 1500, a rally that was due to depart from Hampton Virginia on Monday has delayed its noon departure from Fort Monroe due to weather concerns. The race will now depart on Wednesday at noon

'Unfortunately, we are watching a tropical depression over Turks and Caicos,' said Julie Palm, Caribbean 1500 spokesperson. 'We have delayed the race departure for 48 hours and plan to leave Fort Monroe at 12 noon on Wednesday.'

In the NARC another participating vessel was helped into the island of Bermuda by pilot boats. Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre reported this morning that continuing high winds and occasional gale-force conditions at sea had played havoc with the cruising rally participants who set out from Rhode Island for Bermuda on October 30.

'At approximately 3:30 pm yesterday, the crew of MV Oleander was involved in the successful recovery of four survivors from the 46 foot sailing vessel Elle a NARC rally participant, located approximately 200 miles northwest of Bermuda,' said a Maritime Operations spokesman.

The captain of Elle decided to abandon their vessel having encountered steering failure & subsequent injury to a crew member — bruised ribs — in 30-35 knot winds with seas ranging from 20 – 30 feet.

'The 'Oleander’, en route from New Jersey to Bermuda, was diverted to the distress position and has since arrived in Hamilton Harbour this morning where the crew members were landed ashore. One of the survivors wished to express his gratitude for the professionalism shown by the captain and crew of the Oleander during the rescue operation.'
The 'Oleander' is operated by Bermuda Container Lines.

Early this morning another NARC rally participant, the 49-foot Riot suffered steering failure on final approach to St. George’s Harbour and issued a distress call. 'Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre tasked the Pilot boat ‘St. George’ and tug ‘Powerful’ to assist the vessel with winds averaging 30-35 knots during the rescue operation and attempts being made to keep the sailing vessel clear of the reef structure.' said the Marine Operations spokesman. 'The yacht ‘Riot’, with six persons onboard, was safely guided into St. George’s Harbour a short while later.

The annual NARC rally attracts veteran offshore sailors and professionally crewed boats and is described as 'a grass-roots' affair for seasoned mariners.

In Bermuda the St. Georges Dinghy and Sports Club is hosting NARC participants who, after filling up on fuel, were then scheduled to head to the final rally destination, St. Maarten in the Caribbean.

Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre said it is also in contact with a number of other sailing vessels presently offshore which have suffered rigging failure or are hove to due to present weather conditions.

Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca 2025MySail 2025Maritimo 2023 S600 FOOTER

Related Articles

21st Sandberg PalmaVela Day 1
Magic Carpet E wins two from two on her debut The Maxi class officially opened racing today at the 21st Sandberg PalmaVela, completing two W/L races in which the newest elite 100-footer, Magic Carpet E, dominated with two clear victories in what was its first-ever races.
Posted on 1 May
52 SUPER SERIES Saint-Tropez Cup Day 2
Gladiator back on winning form Disappointed to miss out on winning the 2024 circuit title after coming into the last event of the season with a solid points lead, Tony Langley's world champions Gladiator crew started their assault on the 2025 title on the best possible footing.
Posted on 1 May
Life-Changing Experience in Melbourne Osaka Cup
The crew of White Spirit talk about their journey A resounding yes, they'd do it again for such an amazing life-changing experience, is how Cyrus Allen, skipper of the Beneteau 50, White Spirit, summed up the 2025 Melbourne to Osaka race, which he completed with co-skipper Lillian Stewart.
Posted on 1 May
Transat Paprec Day 12
Charlotte Yven & Hugo Dhallenne: "Now, it's all in the mind too!" He checked in mid-morning, and you could hear the joy in his voice — Hugo Dhallenne is doing what he loves most: racing at sea. He's at the front of the fleet in the Transat Paprec and fully enjoying this adventure alongside Charlotte Yven.
Posted on 1 May
Entry open for trio of Brisbane Finn events
For three weeks in February 2026 the Finn world will descend on the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Entry has opened for the main Finn events in 2026. For three weeks in February 2026 the Finn world will descend on the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, in Brisbane, Australia, for three back-to-back major regattas.
Posted on 1 May
XR 41 ready for racing debut at MaiOR
All eyes on Kiel-Schilksee as the offshore racing season starts in northern Europe Every spring, the sailing world turns its eyes to Kiel-Schilksee, where the Mai Offshore Regatta (MaiOR) launches the offshore racing season in northern Europe.
Posted on 1 May
60th Anniversary Congressional Day 1
Strong start for defending champion USA's Chris Poole, defending champion of the Long Beach Yacht Club Congressional Cup leads the first day of the 60th Anniversary event with six straight wins in the opening round-robin stage.
Posted on 1 May
Joker X2's Long Game in the Melbourne Osaka Cup
A quiet sense of achievement after thirty-six days and 5,500 nautical miles After thirty-six days and 5,500 nautical miles, the double-handed crew of Joker X2 crossed the Osaka finish line with a quiet sense of achievement.
Posted on 1 May
New footage of the Nautitech 44 Open & Bavaria C46
Have a look at the latest from Ensign Yachts, plus the J/40 wins under ORC at Pasquavela in Italy In this edition, we highlight a new Yacht Charter service in the Mediterranean, showcase new footage of our award-winning Bavaria C46, and highlight a walkthrough of the Nautitech 44 Open. Plus the J/40 wins under ORC at the Pasquavela in Italy!
Posted on 30 Apr
McIntyre Mini Globe Race fleet battles Pacific
In historic 4,300-mile test of endurance Solo Sailors Face Doldrums, Equipment Failures and Avian Invaders in Unprecedented Small Boat Challenge - week five of leg 2
Posted on 30 Apr