News / Halcrow ‘devastated’ as Elsi’s mast broke
A SHETLAND yachtsman has been forced to give up his second attempt to circumnavigate the globe after his mast broke in a huge storm just west of Cape Horn.
ANDREW Halcrow, from Burra, is still on board his yacht Elsi Arrub waiting to be rescued by the Chilean coastguards.
The 54 year old lone sailor had been battling against strong winds and huge seas for some days, an estimated 100 miles west of the coast of the southern part of Chile.
On Saturday, his wife Allyson said the yacht was drifting and the weather was still “very, very wild down there”.
The incident happened earlier on Saturday as the storm started to abate.
She said: “He had spoken to the Chilean Coastguard and also to Falmouth. There are planning to get a boat diverted to him, hopefully in the next 12 hours.
“We all feel devastated but also immensely relieved that he seems to be okay. He is not of danger yet; he is on a ship without sail. Once he is on land, then that will be great.”
She added that it was too early to say what their next steps would be.
However, it looks almost certain that Halcrow’s yacht will not be towed to safety but left to drift.
A message on his website www.elsiarrub.co.uk reads: “It is with huge regret that Andrew as had to call MayDay.
“Thankfully, he is safe whilst being devastated by what has just happened.”
Halcrow had set off from Falmouth on his 13-month voyage in November, determined to complete the journey after a previous attempt in 2006 was cut short when he had to be rescued 300 miles south west of Australia with a burst appendix.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
