World ARC yacht Babsea, Nautitech 40, was dismasted on route from Cocos Keeling to Mauritius on Friday 11 October, approximately 1700 nautical miles from Mauritius. Reasons for the failure are not known at present, however there was no damage to the hull and neither of the double-handed crew were injured.
Co-ordinating support from the World ARC fleet via rally fleet messages and then via the HF SSB Radio Net, additional fuel supplies have been transferred to Babsea from rally boats Charm, Chao Lay and Danica, allowing sufficient range to reach Mauritius. Babsea skipper Helmut Lexen has been able to salvage sufficient rigging to erect a jury rig and is now motor-sailing at around 5-6 knots on course. Danica, a similarly sized catamaran, is sailing in company with Babsea for the remaining passage to Mauritius, with an expected arrival date of 25 October.
World Cruising Club would like to thank and recognise the support of Charm, Chao Lay and Danica in assisting Babsea, and all boats within the fleet who offered support and advice to the crew via the SSB radio net.