MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands’ HMS Clyde Rescues Family from Sinking Iceberg Hit Yacht
HMS Clyde, is permanently deployed to the South Atlantic A British family has been rescued by the Falkland Islands Protection Vessel in the south Atlantic after their yacht hit an iceberg and began to sink. Carl Lomas and Tracey Worth, who are also known as Lord and Lady Hollinsclough, and their two daughters were sailing 300 miles north-east of South Georgia when their 18-metre boat hit the low-lying iceberg.
Falmouth Coastguard helped the Falkland Islands authorities locate the vessel Yacht Hollinsclough which had taken on water and suffered engine failure. In turn, the HMS Clyde, 200 miles away, was alerted and reached the family five hours later. The family is now safely in the Falklands, although they were forced to abandon their yacht. The vessel is expected to sink.
The couple is understood to have left Britain over five years ago, with their teenage daughters Caitland and Morgause joining them during school holidays. Steven Gill, a fellow sailor who met the couple on their travels described them as “extremely competent sailors” with an “extremely well equipped” yacht. “No expense had been spared in the upkeep,” he said.
The coastguard was alerted to the family’s predicament on Friday evening after their emergency radio beacon was activated. Their position was pinpointed as 285 miles north-east of South Georgia and the Falmouth team contacted the Falkland Islands, where authorities coordinated the incident in liaison with teams at Falmouth and Kinloss.
The South Georgia newsletter reports the visit to the Island of the family Yacht Hollingsclough. According to the March edition South Georgia postal Officer Ruth Fraser and Doctor Susan Woodward were both Brownies and Girl Guides when they were younger and were glad to show sisters Caitland & Morgause Lomas around.
The sisters were also hosted aboard both the visiting RFA Waver Ruler and HMS York.
Caitland wrote a piece on a football match played in the Island between HMS York and Grytviken International FC, with Lady Hollinsclough acting as referee. You can read all the details of the match and “tea and biscuits” at half time in www.sgisland.org.
The family is now en route to the Falklands aboard the Clyde, which is expected to arrive Stanley by Wednesday or Thursday.
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Read all commentsOne has to question what a mother and Father were doing taking their two young daughter on a yacht in the south Atlantic during the approaching winter.
May 10th, 2010 - 09:56 am 0You would have thought the silly buggers had their radar switched on?
I have to agree with Rhaurie, if it weren't for the intercedence of HMS Clyde then they would have collectively qualified for a Darwin Award
May 10th, 2010 - 02:42 pm 0@ Rhaurie. On this occasion, I have to disagree with you. The article clearly indicates the daughters joining their parents for the summer. And the parents are described as “extremely competent sailors” with an “extremely well equipped” vessel on which no expense had been spared.
May 17th, 2010 - 10:11 pm 0I understand from news “elsewhere” that the iceberg in question was a “growler”, less than 5 metres long and less than 1 metre high. Can't comment on the radar, but no-one has said it was off.
Full marks to the officers and men of HMS Clyde. If her position is stated accurately and with available information on her capabilities, that meant steaming at MORE than her rated speed for 5 hours. And finding a speck. This is what the Royal Navy, and the other British armed forces, are all about. They refer to this as their “duty”, achieving the well-nigh impossible.
And what did the Argentines do during this life-threatening situation? Nothing!!
Would the Royal Navy have gone to the assistance of Argentine civilians? Of course, it would. It is much more mature.
We should all be proud of the crew of HMS Clyde, I know I am. Medals all round.
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