British sailor rescued from South Atlantic after his boat is damaged

British round-the-world sailor is rescued from the South Atlantic by a fishing vessel after his boat was damaged in 100mph winds off the coast of Argentina

• Ian Herbert-Jones, 52, was competing in the single-handed Golden Globe Race
• His boat, named Puffin, came into trouble as he approached east of Argentina
• Sailor first called GGR Crisis Management Team on Monday regarding situation

A British yachtsman has been rescued from the South Atlantic after his boat was damaged in a 100mph storm. 

Ian Herbert-Jones, 52, from Shropshire, was competing in the single-handed Golden Globe Race and set off in March. 

But just less than a month into his journey, a rescue effort was under way on Tuesday 11 April after he called for help when his boat was hit by strong winds as he approached the east of Argentina, South America.

His boat, named Puffin, was damaged and water entered the hull, while Mr Herbert-Jones reported injuring his back, which left him stiff, and gashing his head. 

In an attempt to control the boat during the stormy conditions, he was forced to cut the mast free.

Ian Herbert-Jones, 52, from Shropshire, was competing in the single-handed Golden Globe Race and set off in March. But just less than a month into his journey, he was rescued

There was eight inches of water over the cabin sole and Mr Herbert-Jones said it was probably leakage through the cockpit, but he confirmed that Puffin was not sinking

On Monday 10 April, Mr Herbert-Jones called the Crisis Management Team to inform them that conditions on the sea were extreme and he had been washed out of the cockpit twice

On Monday 10 April, the sailor called the GGR Crisis Management Team that he was he was in extreme weather and confused sea of 7.7 metres, running under bare poles and trying to hand steer downwind. 

The team then informed the UK Coast guards Agency and MRCC Argentina, who directed the rescue operation.

Then, around 15.50 GMT that day, Mr Herbert-Jones called again to inform that he was not launching his drogue to keep Puffin stern to the waves, as conditions were extreme and he had been washed out of the cockpit twice.

There was eight inches of water over the cabin sole, Mr Herbert-Jones said, adding that this was probably due to a leakage through the cockpit. 

But he confirmed that Puffin was not sinking. 

At 18.42, Puffin sent the following message which read: ‘Rolled Dismasted , injured Back, hard to move, 2ft water in boat,’ followed by another two minutes later which said: ‘Situation getting worse..need weather break to cut rig from PUFFIN.’

But because he was unable to make contact with his Satphone, a device that sends signal to the nearest satellite, Mr Herbert-Jones decided to activate his emergency position-indicating radiobeaco (EPIRB) so that the Search And Rescue chain would be aware of his position and situation. 

Contact was lost with Mr Herbert-Jones on a number of occasions and waves of nearly 8m (26ft) were reported. 

However, around 20.15, he rang the crisis team to and explained that had gashed his head and his back was painful and getting stiff after he began cutting the rig of the boat away. 

The rescue ordeal lasted over 24 hours for the solo sailor, and over the course of the next few hours, the weather conditions got worse. 

ON Monday 10 April, the sailor rang the crisis team to and explained that had gashed his head and his back was painful and getting stiff after he began cutting the rig of the boat away

The location of Puffin during the time of the incident. On Monday 10 April, the sailor called the GGR Crisis Management Team that he was he was in extreme weather and confused sea of 7.7 metres, running under bare poles and trying to hand steer downwind

Luckily for the solo sailor however, at 06.47 on Tuesday 11 April, a fishing boat from Taiwan, the Zi Da Wang, which was 90 miles away from his position had been diverted to rescue him by 19.00. 

Hours later, at 08.42, Mr Herbert-Jones sent a message through his YB3 positioning and texting device to the GGR Crisis Management Team.

The message read: ‘ALL RECD THKU! OK HERE TOUGHNIGHT TRYING2STAYWARM.’

This was then shortly followed by another message at 08.52, that said: ‘GRTNEWS REF FISHIMGBOAT WAITING4 FIRSTLIGHT 2CLEAR RIG.’

Following this communication, the GGR team knew that the yachtsman was active in his own rescue and aware of the effort taking place to rescue him.

Then, at around 10.10, Mr Herbert-Jones called the GGR from his satellite phone, and confirmed that he he had received messages had taken an Ibuprofen last night for his injuries.

He also confirmed to them that he was able to work on deck due to Puffin’s mast still being on the side of the boat.

And the sailor confirmed that there was no more water coming into the boat and he had power for continuing communication with the team on land.

According to the GGR Crisis Management Team, they kept Mr Herbert-Jones in the developments of his rescue throughout.

The race control team also advised him that the storm would ease very slowly and the rescue attempt would be affected by weather conditions. 

At 18.45 on Tuesday, Golden Globe Race organisers posted an update confirming Mr Herbert-Jones’ safe rescue. He was rescued by a fishing boat from Taiwan, the Zi Da Wang

However, although reportedly were not receiving any responses or updates physically,  the sailor was manually activating an ‘acknowledgement’ button on his YB3 tracking device.

This meant that he remained conscious throughout, and informed of all the latest developments. 

During the rescue mission earlier this week, Don McIntyre, GGR Founder and Chairman spoke out about how ‘greateful’ he is of the ‘international efforts’ to aid with Mr Herbert-Jones’ rescue.

Mr McIntyre said: ‘We’re all hands on deck obviously thinking of Ian and grateful for the international efforts to assist him. 

‘Fortunately the situation has improved dramatically for several reasons: first Ian is able and active in his rescue, secondly, the weather conditions at PUFFIN have improved a lot facilitating the possibility of a transfer operation, which will still be challenging and the final decision is with the master of the fishing vessels.’

At 18.45 on Tuesday, Golden Globe Race organisers posted an update confirming his safe rescue, writing: ‘IAN HERBERT JONES !! IS ON THE FISHING VESSEL ZI DA WANG.’ 

Between 18.15 and 18.30, the Zi Da Wang arrived at Herbert-Jones’s position, and was manoeuvred to the west of Puffin, where a solo skipper manoeuvred at close quarters to the boat.

The organisers’ post continued: ‘He was recovered at 1845 UTC today . He is battered and bruised with scrapes and scratches, some back pain, but he is very happy to be with the crew. The master of the rescue ship moved straight into a recovery operation in the 25k wind and 4 mtr sea as soon as they were on scene.

‘Congratulations to all the personnel, ships, government agencies involved over the past 30 hours who have displayed complete professionalism, dedication and passion in continuing one of the strong traditions of the sea.’

Race organisers continued: ‘The GGR wish to thank the SAR Puerto Belgrano in Argentina and the MRCC Taiwan for an exemplary international coordination of Ian’s rescue, as well as the shipowner, masters and crew of the F/V Zi Da Wang and the F/V Fa Da Cai and Yuh Sheng N°1. and the MV Lilibet, MRCC UK and GRIZ NEZ France were also on standby.’

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