1979 Fastnet race
Encyclopedia
Fastnet race
The Fastnet Race is a famous offshore yachting race. It is considered one of the classic offshore races. It takes place every two years over a course of . The race starts off Cowes on the Isle of Wight in England, rounds the Fastnet Rock off the southwest coast of Ireland and then finishes at...
, a yachting
Yachting
Yachting refers to recreational sailing or boating, the specific act of sailing or using other water vessels for sporting purposes.-Competitive sailing:...
race competition held since 1925, generally every two years. In 1979, it was the climax of the five-race Admiral's Cup
Admiral's Cup
The Admiral's Cup is an international yachting regatta. For many years it was known as the unofficial world championship of offshore racing. The Admiral's Cup regatta was started in 1957 and was normally a biennial event which was competed for between national teams. However the event was not...
competition, as it had been since 1957.
Storm
Storm
A storm is any disturbed state of an astronomical body's atmosphere, especially affecting its surface, and strongly implying severe weather...
s during the race wreaked havoc on over 306 yachts taking part in the biennial race, resulting in 15 fatalities. Emergency services, naval forces, and civilian vessels from around the west side of the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
were summoned to aid what was the largest rescue operation in peace-time. Those involved included the entire Irish Naval Service's fleet, lifeboats, commercial boats, and helicopters.
Build-up
The 605-mile race started on 11 August 1979. BBC RadioBBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
shipping forecast
Shipping Forecast
The Shipping Forecast is a four-times-daily BBC Radio broadcast of weather reports and forecasts for the seas around the coasts of the British Isles. It is produced by the Met Office and broadcast by BBC Radio 4 on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The forecasts sent over the Navtex...
, broadcast at 13:55 that day predicted "south-westerly winds, force four to five increasing to force six to seven for a time." By 13 August, winds were reported at Force 6
Beaufort scale
The Beaufort Scale is an empirical measure that relates wind speed to observed conditions at sea or on land. Its full name is the Beaufort Wind Force Scale.-History:...
, with gusts of Force 7. Forecasters were predicting winds of Force 8. The leading boat, Kialoa
Kialoa
Kialoa was a maxi yacht campaign founded and led by Jim Kilroy spanning the 1970s and 1980s.Kialoa III held the Sydney to Hobart record for around 25 years....
, trailed closely by Condor of Bermuda
Condor of Bermuda
Condor of Bermuda was a maxi yacht campaigning under the leadership and funding of London based international businessman Bob Bell. Originally called "Condor" but re-named "Heath's Condor" for the 1977-78 Whitbread Round the World Race after Bell's association with Heath's Insurance Co...
, was on course to break the Fastnet record set eight years earlier. However, the headlines the following day were not about success.
The disaster and rescue mission
Over 13–14 August, 25 of the 306 yachts taking part were sunk or disabled due to high winds and "mountainous seas". The Daily Telegraph (15 August 1979, p. 1) described the situation, where "Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
ships, RAF Nimrod jets, helicopters, lifeboat
Lifeboat (rescue)
A rescue lifeboat is a boat rescue craft which is used to attend a vessel in distress, or its survivors, to rescue crewmen and passengers. It can be hand pulled, sail powered or powered by an engine...
s, a Dutch warship and other craft picked up 125 yachtsmen whose boats had been caught in force 11 violent storm strength gusts midway between Land's End
Land's End
Land's End is a headland and small settlement in west Cornwall, England, within the United Kingdom. It is located on the Penwith peninsula approximately eight miles west-southwest of Penzance....
and Fastnet
Fastnet
Fastnet can refer to:*Fastnet International Schools Regatta, a regatta held in County Cork, Ireland*Fastnet Line, a passenger ferry service operating between Wales and Ireland...
". The effort also included tugs, trawlers, and tankers. Rescue efforts began after 6:30 am on 14 August, once the winds had dropped to severe gale Force 9.
Finish line
The corrected-time winner was the yacht Tenacious, designed by Sparkman & StephensSparkman & Stephens
Sparkman & Stephens is a naval architecture and yacht brokerage firm with main offices on 5th Avenue in New York City, USA and offices in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and Newport, Rhode Island, USA. The firm performs design and engineering of new vessels for pleasure, commercial, and military use....
, owned and skippered by Ted Turner
Ted Turner
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III is an American media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is known as founder of the cable news network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. In addition, he founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television...
.
The winner on elapsed time in the race was the 77-foot SV Condor of Bermuda
Condor of Bermuda
Condor of Bermuda was a maxi yacht campaigning under the leadership and funding of London based international businessman Bob Bell. Originally called "Condor" but re-named "Heath's Condor" for the 1977-78 Whitbread Round the World Race after Bell's association with Heath's Insurance Co...
which gained around 90 minutes on the leader at the Fastnet rock, the SV Kialoa
Kialoa
Kialoa was a maxi yacht campaign founded and led by Jim Kilroy spanning the 1970s and 1980s.Kialoa III held the Sydney to Hobart record for around 25 years....
. Jim Kilroy of the Kialoa had broken his ribs and there was damage to the yacht's runners. SV Condor of Bermuda broke the existing Fastnet record by nearly eight hours (71h25m23s).
Vessels that did not finish
Of the 303 starters, only 86 finished. There were 194 retirements and 24 abandonments (five of which were "lost believed sunk")..Early press reports were often confused. The Daily Telegraph reported that 69 yachts did not finish, listed here.
Main source: Daily Telegraph, p. 3, 16 August 1979.
- SV Accanito of France, broken rudder. Towed.
- SV Allamader. Abandoned.
- SV Alpha II
- SV Amanda Kulu
- SV Andiano Robin
- SV Angustura
- SV Animal
- SV Ariadne. Abandoned. *
- SV Arkadina
- SV Asteries
- SV Battle Cry
- SV Billy Bones. Abandoned.
- SV Blue Dolphin
- SV Bonaventure of Britain. Abandoned.
- SV Cabadah Ocean Wave Option
- SV Callirhaex 3. Abandoned.
- SV Camargue of Britain. Abandoned.
- SV Casse Tete
- SV Charioteer of Britain. Sunk.
- SV Corker
- SV Crazy Horse
- SV Détente
- SV Double O Two
- SV Enia
- SV Fiestina Tertia. (Abandoned.) *
- SV Finndabar. (Abandoned.)
- SV Gan. Abandoned.
- SV Gekko
- SV Golden Apple of Ireland, disabled. Abandoned. Crew rescued by RAF Lynx helicopter.
- SV Golden Leigh
- SV Good Intentions
- SV Grimalkin. Abandoned and subsequently recovered. Read John Rousmaniere's 'Fastnet, Force 10' & Nick Ward's 'Left for Dead'.
- SV Gringo. Reported as 'believed sunk'.
- SV Hestral. (Abandoned.) crew of 6 rescued by Royal Navy helicopter.
- SV Hoodlum
- SV Impetuous
- SV Jan Pott of Germany, Flensburg. Broken mast.
- SV Juggernaut
- SV Kestel. Abandoned.
- SV Korsar
- SV La Barbarelle
- SV Little Ella
- SV Magic of Britain. Sunk.
- SV Maligawa III. Abandoned.
- SV Marionette VII
- SV Mexxanini
- SV Morning CloudMorning CloudMorning Cloud was the name given by the British politician Edward Heath to a series of five yachts which he owned between 1969 and 1983.-No. 1:...
of Britain, broken rudder. - SV Morning Glory
- SV Mulligatawny
- SV Mutine
- SV Pachena
- SV Pegasus
- SV Ocean Wave
- SV Option2 of France, Granville
- SV Pepsi of England
- SV Pepsi of Holland
- SV Pinball Wizard
- SV Polar Bear of Britain. Sunk. Crew rescued.
- SV Regardless of Cork, broken rudder. Assisted by . Towed by
- SV Samurai II
- SV Scaldis
- SV Scaramouche. (Retired) Made own way back to Plymouth."Although we hadn't the satisfaction of being one of the 88 which rounded "the rock" we were content in knowing that we had brought the boat and ourselves back in one piece"-Steve Cross.)
- SV Schuttevaer of Holland
- SV Silver Apple of Howth: lost steering, assisted by , made a jury steering rig, retired to Courtmacsherry under own power.
- SV Sinndkabar
- SV Skat
- SV Sophia
- SV Tam O'Shanter
- SV Tarantula of France
- SV Trophy. Abandoned.
- SV Tiderace IV. Abandoned.
- SV Wild Goose of Singapore
- SV Yachtman of Spain
- SV Zap
Also
- SV Mulligatawny (not competing)
Craft that assisted the rescue mission
Over 4000 people aided in the rescue efforts. The Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
coordinated efforts with the success of finding around 80 vessels and rescuing 136 crew members.
Key contributors to the rescue:
Royal Navy
- HMS AngleseyBNS GomatiBNS Gomati is an Island Class Offshore patrol vessel of the Bangladeshi Navy. She was built as Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMS Anglesey .-History:...
, Island class patrol vesselIsland class patrol vesselThe Island-class patrol vessel was first designed and built for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency. As a result of the Royal Navy's experiences in the so-called Cod War with Iceland, and the success of FPV Jura in fishery protection patrols, the Navy built a further seven...
, frigate - HMSTY Dasher, yacht
- HMS SultanHMS SultanHMS Sultan is a shore base of the Royal Navy in Gosport, Hampshire, England.Formerly RAF Gosport and then the Royal Naval Air Station HMS Siskin,-External links:*...
, yacht - One other RN vessel
- RFA Tidespring, fast fleet tanker of the Royal Fleet AuxiliaryRoyal Fleet AuxiliaryThe Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian-manned fleet owned by the British Ministry of Defence. The RFA enables ships of the United Kingdom Royal Navy to maintain operations around the world. Its primary role is to supply the Royal Navy with fuel, ammunition and supplies, normally by replenishment...
- Eight Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
helicopters from RNAS CuldroseRNAS CuldroseRoyal Naval Air Station Culdrose , based in Cornwall, near Helston, on the Lizard Peninsula, has three major roles: serving the Fleet Air Arm's front line Sea King and Merlin helicopter squadrons; providing search and rescue for the South West region; and training specialists for the Royal Navy...
and RNAS Prestwick, including Sea KingH-3 Sea KingThe Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare helicopter. It served with the United States Navy and other forces, and continues to serve in many countries around the world. The Sea King has been built under license in Italy and Japan, and in the United Kingdom as the...
s, Lynx helicopters and Wessex helicopters - Four Nimrods from RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall
Lifeboats
These RNLIRoyal National Lifeboat Institution
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a charity that saves lives at sea around the coasts of Great Britain, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, as well as on selected inland waterways....
lifeboats spent 75 hours at sea in 60 knots (117.6 km/h) winds
- RNLB Guy and Claire Hunter, St Mary's LifeboatSt Mary's LifeboatSt Mary's Lifeboat Station is situated in St Mary's Habour, Isles of Scilly and has been an important station for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution since the service began in 1837, however without service between 1855 and 1874.-Lifeboats at St Mary's:...
, Isles of ScillyIsles of ScillyThe Isles of Scilly form an archipelago off the southwestern tip of the Cornish peninsula of Great Britain. The islands have had a unitary authority council since 1890, and are separate from the Cornwall unitary authority, but some services are combined with Cornwall and the islands are still part...
(
Royal National Lifeboat InstitutionRoyal National Lifeboat InstitutionThe Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a charity that saves lives at sea around the coasts of Great Britain, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, as well as on selected inland waterways....
) - BaltimoreBaltimore Lifeboat StationBaltimore Lifeboat Station is situated in Baltimore, Ireland and was established in 1919.-Lifeboats at Baltimore:*1919 to 1949 - The Shamrock *1950 to 1978 - Sarah Tilson*1978 to 1984 - The Robert...
Lifeboat, County CorkCounty CorkCounty Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, BallycottonBallycottonBallycotton is a village in County Cork, Ireland, situated about 25 miles east of Cork city. It is a famous fishing village and has given its name to the folk band Ballycotton. The village is set on a rocky-ledge overlooking Ballycotton Bay and its sandy beach that stretches for about...
, County CorkCounty CorkCounty Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county... - Courtmacsherry, County CorkCounty CorkCounty Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
- Dunmore EastDunmore EastDunmore East is a popular tourist and fishing village village in County Waterford, Ireland. Situated on the west side of Waterford Harbour on Ireland's southeastern coast, it lies within the barony of Gaultier : a reference to the influx of Norman settlers in the area.-History:Iron Age people...
, County WaterfordCounty Waterford*Abbeyside, Affane, Aglish, Annestown, An Rinn, Ardmore*Ballinacourty, Ballinameela, Ballinamult, Ballinroad, Ballybeg, Ballybricken, Ballyduff Lower, Ballyduff Upper, Ballydurn, Ballygunner, Ballylaneen, Ballymacarbry, Ballymacart, Ballynaneashagh, Ballysaggart, Ballytruckle, Bilberry, Bunmahon,... - LifeboatLifeboat (rescue)A rescue lifeboat is a boat rescue craft which is used to attend a vessel in distress, or its survivors, to rescue crewmen and passengers. It can be hand pulled, sail powered or powered by an engine...
Solomon BrownePenlee lifeboat disasterThe Penlee lifeboat disaster occurred on 19 December 1981 off the coast of Cornwall, in England, UK. The Penlee Lifeboat went to the aid of the coaster Union Star after its engines failed in heavy seas...
( Royal National Lifeboat InstitutionRoyal National Lifeboat InstitutionThe Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a charity that saves lives at sea around the coasts of Great Britain, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, as well as on selected inland waterways....
)
External links
- BBC News - "Freak storm hits yacht race"
- Collation of various items
- Race Inquiry report
- BBC Radio 4 Archive Hour - a one hour documentary about the fatal 1979 Fastnet Race. Presented by journalist and sailor David Lomax.
- The Royal Ocean Racing Club's official history of the 1979 Admiral's Cup
- Photographs of the sea conditions
- Scilly History