The crew of CV24, Greenings, have been safely evacuated after running aground on the western side of Cape Peninsula, which sits roughly halfway between Cape Town and Cape Point at approximately 2140 UTC (2340 local time) on Tuesday 31 October during Leg 3 of the Clipper 2017-18 Round the World Yacht Race, which departed Cape Town, South Africa, earlier that day.
In a press statement‚ the race organisers said: “Everyone is safe … there were no injuries reported on board but the Skipper (Andy Woodruff‚ who is acting as Interim Skipper in place of injured David Hartshorn) and all crew have been evacuated onto rescue boats provided by the NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) for precaution to return to shore at Hout Bay. The safety of the Skipper and crew are paramount‚ so all measures that are currently taking place are preventative.”
Clipper Race Director, Mark Light, and Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, plus members of the Maintenance Team have remained in constant contact with the Skipper and with the rescue services. After initially being informed of the grounding another of the twelve teams, Unicef, as the closest vessel, was asked to standby to assist but, as the situation is now under full control, Unicef has since been instructed to stand down and continue racing.
Greenings had won both stages of the Clipper 2017-18 Race so far.