The Derry entry in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is diverting to Port Elizabeth after a crew member sustained a suspected broken arm.
Injured Michelle Porter.
The yacht is 250 miles from Port Elizabeth and is estimated to arrive there tomorrow evening.
Michelle was one of two crew members injured in the incident.
Skipper Sean McCarter explained what happened: “I got on deck to see two crew obviously in pain.
“Unfortunately, one was our medic, round the world crew member Susie Redhouse (42), thus making me the new medic.
“We quickly got Susie down below with what we feared may be a broken arm. Next was our chief of staff, another round the world crew, Michelle Porter, who swore she was ok but couldn’t move her arm.
“We eventually got them both down below and out of their lifejackets and dry suits to begin the examination. Susie’s arm turned out to be a bad bang but Michelle is still in her bunk and we suspect it could be broken.”
Earlier, Australian Griffin (40) was also transferred to hospital in Port Elizabeth after the box of Mission Performance was also hit by a large wave.
Other yachts experienced lucky escapes during a particularly ferocious storm which hit the fleet heading through the Indian Ocean from South Africa into the notorious ‘Roaring Forties’ in the Southern Ocean. Many skippers have paid tribute to their crews for digging deep and applying their training and growing experience to react accordingly in order to keep their yachts sailing safe as well as fast.
