Yacht Drifting Off Bermuda After Injured Owner Rescued

Created by doina. Last modified on 2008-01-13 22:17:28
Topic: YACHT SEARCH
Countries: Bermuda

Alan Thompson from Chichester, aged 61, was single handedly sailing his yacht "Padolu" from the US to the UK when he suffered a serious injury following a fall onboard.

He contacted a UK friend of his who then called the Falmouth Coastguard on the evening of Saturday 13th. The yacht was at that point 600 nautical miles north east of Bermuda. Communications were established and it became apparent that Mr Thompson was in severe pain with a suspected pelvic fracture and would need to receive medical treatment ashore.

The US Coastguard was alerted and an oil tanker diverted its course to take the injured sailor off his yacht. The 37 ft "Padolu", which he had just purchased in Florida and was sailing back to the UK, was abandoned and left to drift. It is not insured. Alan Thompson had previously crossed the Atlantic twice with crew and used to run a sailing school in Chichester. It was his second attempt to make the Atlantic crossing on "Padolu", having previously turned back due to bad weather.