A Cosco Shipping multi-purpose vessel has rescued a British sailor two days after her yacht capsized 2,000 miles west of Cape Horn.
Yachtswoman Susie Goodall was competing in the non-stop solo round-the-world Golden Globe Race when she lost her mast after her boat "pitch poled".
The 38,146-dwt Tian Fu (built 2015) rescued Goodall from her yacht DHL Starlight just before 15:30 GMT on Friday.
But the incident unfolded just after 10.30 GMT on 5 December when the HM Coastguard’s Mission Control Centre (MCC) in Hampshire UK picked up an EPIRB distress alert from Goodall’s vessel.
MRCC Chile led the search and rescue operation and immediately called upon two nearby vessels to divert their course and go to Goodall’s aid.
The Tian Fu is continuing its journey to Punta Arenas in Chile, where Goodall will disembark.
“This was a very demanding long range rescue which was made even more complex because it was taking place 2,000 nm off Cape Horn,” said Ian Guy, Duty Controller for HM Coastguard
“During this period, Susie was at the mercy of seven metre seas and severe weather and it’s a credit to her that she remained in good spirits during this tense wait.”
Guy said only two vessels responded to the Mayday Relay broadcast that was issued - the other being Delta Shipping's 81,000-dwt bulker Talimen (built 2016) - largely as a result of the remote area the incident was in.
“This is a superb example of international co-operation and we would like to thank Golden Globe Race HQ, MRCC Chile, Tian Fu, Talimen, and all those who have played their part in bringing this rescue to a textbook and safe conclusion,” he concluded.
