Thirteen crew members had to be rescued from one of the vessels taking part in The Tall Ships' Race after the yacht started taking on water. The 18m cutter Clyde Challenger was competing in the final leg of the race series, from Bergen (Norway) to Den Helder (Netherlands). She reported taking on water last night and issued a Mayday call at around 2150 hours.

Clyde Challenger is an ex-Clipper round the world race yacht. Two search and rescue (SAR) helicopters were dispatched by Humber Coastguard who coordinated the rescue with the race organisers, Sail Training International. The crew of Clyde Challenger were taken on board another competitor in the Racer series, the TS Loyal, in less than an hour after the May Day. They were later transferred to the KV Andenes, a Norwegian Coast Guard vessel.

Divers from the KV Andenes were put on board the Clyde Challenger to inspect the damage and stop the leak which is believed to been caused by a fractured pipe in the engine compartment.

The yacht is still afloat and now being towed to Den Helder. The Clyde Challenger is a regular competitor in The Tall Ships' Races and other regattas and has completed four round the world races. Jim Smith (Director of Clyde Sail Training Trust), who has been in direct contact with Humber Coastguard, has contacted the families of the crew members to reassure them that the crew are safe.

Image: Clyde Challenger (Clyde Sail Training Trust)
Yachting Monthly, 18 August 2008