Rambler was competing in the Royal Ocean Racing Club's biennial Fastnet Race after setting a course record earlier this summer in the Transatlantic Race from Newport, R.I., to Lizard Point in the United Kingdom.
The Irish coast guard and navy, Baltimore Lifeboat Station and other yachts responded to Rambler’s call. The search was hampered by misty, rainy conditions in visibility of less than a mile. Winds were gusting to Force 6, and a 15-foot swell was running.
According to rescuers, Rambler’s keel broke shortly after it passed Fastnet Rock and capsized within 15 seconds, throwing everyone overboard. “We were beating into big seas, launching Rambler off the top of full-size waves," says Rambler project manager Mick Harvey. “I was down below with navigator Peter Isler when we heard the sickening sound of the keel breaking off. It was instantaneous; there was no time to react. The boat turned turtle, just like a dinghy capsizing. Isler issued a mayday and we got out of there as quickly as we could.”
All 21 crewmembers on Rambler reportedly were wearing life jackets. Those who were on deck were able to clamber over the lifelines and onto the overturned hull, helping the sailors who wound up in the water. However, the swell made it difficult for everyone to get out, and five, including skipper George David and partner Wendy Touton, were swept away from the boat.
They linked arms to form a circle, but ended up in the water for two-and-a-half hours. The coast guard diverted a local fishing boat to rescue them. Touton was suffering from hypothermia and was airlifted to a hospital. The four others were taken to Baltimore Harbour, where they were reunited with the rest of the Rambler crew, who had been rescued by the Baltimore Lifeboat Station.
The Irish coast guard and navy, Baltimore Lifeboat Station and other yachts responded to Rambler’s call. The search was hampered by misty, rainy conditions in visibility of less than a mile. Winds were gusting to Force 6, and a 15-foot swell was running.
According to rescuers, Rambler’s keel broke shortly after it passed Fastnet Rock and capsized within 15 seconds, throwing everyone overboard. “We were beating into big seas, launching Rambler off the top of full-size waves," says Rambler project manager Mick Harvey. “I was down below with navigator Peter Isler when we heard the sickening sound of the keel breaking off. It was instantaneous; there was no time to react. The boat turned turtle, just like a dinghy capsizing. Isler issued a mayday and we got out of there as quickly as we could.”
All 21 crewmembers on Rambler reportedly were wearing life jackets. Those who were on deck were able to clamber over the lifelines and onto the overturned hull, helping the sailors who wound up in the water. However, the swell made it difficult for everyone to get out, and five, including skipper George David and partner Wendy Touton, were swept away from the boat.
They linked arms to form a circle, but ended up in the water for two-and-a-half hours. The coast guard diverted a local fishing boat to rescue them. Touton was suffering from hypothermia and was airlifted to a hospital. The four others were taken to Baltimore Harbour, where they were reunited with the rest of the Rambler crew, who had been rescued by the Baltimore Lifeboat Station.
