This yacht is possibly a shipping hazard as when it was abandoned it was in a watertight condition.

Published 11 years ago, updated 5 years ago

The yacht, S/V Freewind, is a 55-foot ketch-rigged sailing vessel. She suffered a total steering system failure during her trans-Atlantic passage and after consultation with the Coast Guard, it was decided to abandon her.

She was abandoned late on 26th Dec 2012. The last known position was N 22 18.2 W 026 45.4 some 700 miles WSW of the Canary Islands.

The crew of S/V Freewind, Frank and Jan Balmer, were taken on board a cargo ship bound for the port of Trombetas, Brazil. The crew is expected to arrive in Brazil on 4th Jan 2013.

Before abandoning her, Freewind had been sealed against water ingress but reportedly suffered some damage during the crew transfer to the freighter. If anyone sights this vessel, please contact Edmund Steele at [email protected] or [email protected]