At 1940 (UTC) Thursday 3 December, World Cruising Club was contacted by Steve Arnold, skipper of ARC yacht Magritte to advise them that the yacht was taking on water. The source of the ingress could not be identified or stemmed and the four crew on board indicated that assistance was required as the situation worsened. On the advice of MRCC Falmouth, a MAYDAY was issued and the yacht’s EPIRB activated. The liferaft was readied in anticipation of a possible need to abandon the yacht.
MRCC Cape Verde coordinated the evacuation of the crew. Cargo vessel
SCL Basilea diverted to provide assistance, reaching
Magritte at approximately 0500 (UTC). The crew were safely evacuated and are all well on board
SCL Basilea which is now en route to Spain.
Magritte was abandoned at approximate position 16 44.36N 027 27.82W.