Thursday 16:47
Falmouth Coastguard have been co-ordinating assistance to three separate incidents off the coast of Spain in the Bay of Biscay this afternoon.
Initially, at 11.45 this morning a signal was received from a 406 MHz beacon which related to a 28 foot white hulled yacht called `Sentito' registered to a resident of Hartlepool. Various calls were made, and it was established that a British couple were on board who had last made contact with their relatives in the town on Monday, when they said they were departing from a French port.
The Spanish Coastguard were contacted and the Spanish Co-ordination Centre at Madrid launched a helicopter and rescue boat to the site of the beacon.
Coastguards in Madrid then confirmed that Finisterre radio had made contact with the crew of the `Sentito' who reported that they were in distress; dismasted and were wishing to abandon their vessel. They were reassured that a helicopter was en route and by 1.00 p.m. this afternoon both individuals had been picked up by the aircraft and were on their way to safety in Spain.
Falmouth Coastguard then relayed that message back to relieved family members in Hartlepool.
Meanwhile at 12.20 this afternoon a VHF radio mayday was heard from the 9.3m steel hulled single-hull yacht `Malidan' which was in difficulty in very heavy weather, also in the Bay of Biscay and required urgent assistance.
Several vessels including a car carrier also heard his alert and reported to the Coastguard they were heading in the yacht's direction. The Coastguard in Madrid were also aware of the ongoing incident and offered a helicopter to the site of the mayday distress signal, however the vessel `MSC Napoli' reported that she was very close to the site of the distressed yacht and said that her crew could recover the two people from the yacht who by this time had abandoned to a liferaft. Minor first aid was required when they were recovered but both were in fine spirits but were more concerned for their yacht they had had to abandon.
At 2.15 p.m. a further distress call was received from yet another yacht who was involved in the `Route Du Rhum' race. The call was patched through to Falmouth Coastguard from the French Coastguard at Cap Griz Nez who in turn had been informed about the incident from the race organisers.
The vessel 'A Fond Contre La Spondylarthrite' with one occupant was about to set off his 406 MHz beacon as the vessel was taking water and in danger of sinking.
The French Coastguard then launched an aircraft - a Falcon 50 - from the French Navy to overfly the scene.
By 2.45 it was established that the nearest vessel to the distressed yacht was the `Siegenna' which was approximately 50 miles north of the yacht, although to reach the 'A Fond Contre La Spondylarthrite' he would have to sail against the wind. It was confirmed by this time that the yacht was sinking and the single male occupant was in a dry suit and preparing to abandon the vessel.
The incident is ongoing.
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Client ref 395/06
