home > Press - Press Releases - Gipsy Moth IV Off the Rocks
Gipsy Moth IV Off the Rocks
6th May 2006 10.00 hrs [updating on the previous press statement of 16.00 hrs Friday 5th May 2006].
At 13.00 hrs (Pacific time) Gipsy Moth IV was successfully rescued from the reef where she ran aground 6 days ago. The salvage team led by Captain Kleijwegt of Smit and Richard Baggett of the UKSA reported that the operation went without a hitch and within 30 minutes of the tug reaching the scene, Gipsy Moth was gently guided to deep water, checked for water ingress by a team onboard before being led to safety in Tahiti.
Captain Kleijwegt said, “The teamwork between Bruno Viedo, the local villagers, the UKSA team and the tug drivers had been exceptional. All the patching and the preparations had worked very well and the rescue had gone without a hitch.”
The 200 mile journey to Tahiti is not without its risks but every precaution has been taken to prevent further damage to the yacht. The journey is expected to take between 24 and 30 hours, once the yacht arrives, she will lifted out of the water so more thorough inspections of the yacht can take place.
En-route to Tahiti is a respected Marine Surveyor from New Zealand, John McDonald, who will assess the damage before the yacht is taken to Auckland by ship (currently planned for 13th May). Auckland boasts some of the most skilled craftsmen and boatbuilding facilities in the world and the Gipsy Moth IV Project Team are finalising details with a boat yard with 24 hour facilities which will enable repairs to the boat to be completed in the quickest time possible.
David Green, CEO of the UKSA and Gipsy Moth IV Global Project Manager commenting on the incident said, “We are elated. The Gipsy Moth team has been working night and day to manage this crisis and it is a real relief that Gipsy Moth is afloat again and on her way to Tahiti. The rescue mission was a text book example of international expertise in the form of SMIT Salvage, coupled with Bruno Videau and his local team. Second to getting the crew safely home to the UK the rescue of Gipsy Moth was our next main objective. With that achieved we are free to focus on getting the boat repaired in New Zealand and getting back on track with our Global Voyage.”
When asked about the comparisons with Chichester’s voyage Mr. Green said, “Sir Francis had his challenges, he was knocked down in the Tasman Sea three days out from Sydney and the boat was rolled through 139 degrees. The boat was in chaos and any lesser man would have turned back but in spite of being alone and still having to face some of the most difficult passages of the voyage, including the Horn, he carried on undeterred. There can be no denying that this has been a major setback for our project and we will now have to redouble our fundraising efforts if we are to continue with the voyage. Like Sir Francis we will pick ourselves up, dust ourselves of and start all over again. To do anything less would be to fail the ‘Chichester Challenge’.”
Ends
Further information
David Green - CEO UKSA
07970 628439
dgreen@uksa.org
Anna Symcox - PR Manager
07709 485674
anna.symcox@uksa.org
Notes to Editors
The most up to date information about the rescue operation and plans visit www.gipsymoth.org where news is posted as it happens. Press releases and quotes from the young people involved and their parents can also be found in the press section.
United Kingdom Sailing Academy
UKSA is recognised as the world’s leading Sailing Academy. It is a registered charity and non – profit making organisation supported by the Lister Trust. Based in West Cowes on the Isle of Wight it has superb, modern facilities with residential accommodation and operates a fleet of over 300 craft. UKSA provide a wide range of courses aimed at adults, young people and the disabled. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is Patron to the Academy and Dame Ellen MacArthur, Nick Moloney and Shirley Robertson OBE are their Ambassadors.
Comments from previous Gipsy Moth IV voyage participants
Elaine (Plymouth - Gibraltar)
"I think it is important that everyone remains up beat about Gipsy Moth & her current condition. Also spare a thought for those on board. Of course anyone involved in salvaging her from the reef will do, in true Chichester spirit! Really this is the first trial since she left Plymouth in September. It could have been worse! Chichester never gave up & I'm sure he wouldn't want those involved to either. For the young folk on board, your adventure may have been cut slightly short but you have something that adds to your adventure that no one has the pleasure of experiencing with you. I believe she can be fixed. She lay in a dry dock for long enough & getting her back on the water was a dream turned in to reality. If it can happen once, it can happen again. Keep the spirit of the voyage alive."
Rahim (Gibraltar to Tenerife)
"Hey to all involved in rescue operation.
Just here to say good luck!!!
The project has done so much amazing stuff already!!
Sure this will be another achievement.
Hope it all goes well over the next few days and weeks!!
Rahim - leg 3 - Gib to tenerife"
return to main press release page
NOTE TO MEDIA
For further press information, please contact:
Anna Symcox
PR Manager & PA to the CEO
United Kingdom Sailing Academy
Tel: +44 (0) 1983 203016
Fax: +44 (0) 1983 295938
Mob: +44 (0) 7709 485674
Email: anna.symcox@uksa.org
Web: www.uksa.org |
|
For photography, please visit our gallery.
United Kingdom Sailing Academy
UKSA is recognized as the world's leading Sailing Academy. It is a registered charity and non - profit making organization supported by the Lister Trust. Based in West Cowes on the Isle of Wight it has superb, modern facilities with residential accommodation and operates a fleet of over 300 craft. UKSA provide a wide range of courses aimed at adults, young people and the disabled. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is Patron to the Academy and Ellen MacArthur is their Ambassador.
Yachting Monthly
Gipsy Moth IV's second world voyage celebrates the 100th birthday of leading marine publication Yachting Monthly magazine and the 40th anniversary of Sir Francis' celebrated single-handed voyage.
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership is the economic development agency for the Isle of Wight. Their unique position allows them to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors and ensure a coordinated approach in improving the Island's economy.
Corum Swiss Timepieces official time keeper for the Gipsy Moth IV Project
return to main press release page
