Grounding in Clipper Race

Unfortunately for the crew of CV24 Greenings, that entry is out for the remainder of the Clipper 2017-18 Race. On Wednesday, the Clipper Race office confirmed that the vessel was partially underwater on the western side of Cape Peninsula, South Africa, roughly halfway between Cape Town and Cape Point.

The crew were safely evacuated after the Clipper 70 monohull ran aground shortly before midnight on Tuesday, after departing Cape Town earlier in the day on Leg 3 of the eight-leg around-the-world race. Underwriters have appointed a surveyor; on receipt of his report, a decision will be made about salvaging the boat. A full investigation of the incident is underway.

Discussions have taken place with interim skipper Andy Woodruff, original skipper David Hartshorn (who is recovering from an earlier injury), and the crew regarding their future participation in the race. All are doing well with no injuries reported from the grounding.

But it was just one week into the yearlong race, which started from Liverpool on August 20, that Greenings diverted to Porto, Portugal, following an injury to the British skipper. The race director, Mark Light, explained: “The incident occurred around 450 miles off the Portuguese coast whilst David was leading a spinnaker drop in breezy conditions. Unfortunately, his left thumb became caught in one of the lines which has resulted in some serious damage.” Hartshorn was given morphine and antibiotics aboard. “In this rare situation that the skipper is incapacitated, Coxswain-qualified crew members on board each team have received intensive training on how to take control of the yacht alongside the skipper and lead it safely to the nearest port, where further assistance will be provided, which is the case in this situation,” added Light. Hartshorn was medevaced by helicopter.