jamesjermain
Well-Known Member
Latest news,
Thank you for all your best wishes and concern. Despite what early
sensationalized newspaper reports said, Eclipse kept us not just alive but
warm and dry for 28 hours whilst lying to a sea anchor and then lying
ahull. There was no damage except for a torn forward trampoline and a
broken tiller extension. We had to cut loose our dinghy. There were no
structual failures and Eclipse did not capsize.
This was a storm severe enough to turn back the Mexican navy who where
coming to our rescue. Not only that, but the Captain of USS Ford, the
450ft frigate that rescued us said he was not prepared to risk his ship in
those conditions. His words "take my ship into 20ft waves and 50 knot
winds - no way" He also confirmed that his US Navy weather reports made no
mention of a predicted gale in the area, instead talking of 20 knot winds.
Thus he stayed hove to 100 miles away until the gale abated. Even then we
passed the area 200 miles to the south.
USS Ford took us to their next port of call, a port in Guatemala. There we
were met by a British Consul who took us to Guatemala City. We are there
now hoping for news of Eclipse from the various fishing boats in the
search area.
Next priority. Buy some clothes! I am still wearing the T shirt and shorts
I was wearing when I jumped into the sea. If I am back in the UK next week
a)they will be smelly
b) I will be cold!
Best wishes
Richard Woods
Foss Quay Millbrook
Torpoint Cornwall PL10 1EN UK
www.sailingcatamarans.com
Richard was very converned that a report in the Daily Express, which said Eclipse had capsizaed, should be corrected.
Thank you for all your best wishes and concern. Despite what early
sensationalized newspaper reports said, Eclipse kept us not just alive but
warm and dry for 28 hours whilst lying to a sea anchor and then lying
ahull. There was no damage except for a torn forward trampoline and a
broken tiller extension. We had to cut loose our dinghy. There were no
structual failures and Eclipse did not capsize.
This was a storm severe enough to turn back the Mexican navy who where
coming to our rescue. Not only that, but the Captain of USS Ford, the
450ft frigate that rescued us said he was not prepared to risk his ship in
those conditions. His words "take my ship into 20ft waves and 50 knot
winds - no way" He also confirmed that his US Navy weather reports made no
mention of a predicted gale in the area, instead talking of 20 knot winds.
Thus he stayed hove to 100 miles away until the gale abated. Even then we
passed the area 200 miles to the south.
USS Ford took us to their next port of call, a port in Guatemala. There we
were met by a British Consul who took us to Guatemala City. We are there
now hoping for news of Eclipse from the various fishing boats in the
search area.
Next priority. Buy some clothes! I am still wearing the T shirt and shorts
I was wearing when I jumped into the sea. If I am back in the UK next week
a)they will be smelly
b) I will be cold!
Best wishes
Richard Woods
Foss Quay Millbrook
Torpoint Cornwall PL10 1EN UK
www.sailingcatamarans.com
Richard was very converned that a report in the Daily Express, which said Eclipse had capsizaed, should be corrected.