The ARC Communications Net once again
proved its worth, when three ARC yachts were involved in the dramatic
rescue of a French sailor from his sinking yacht. The British Beneteau 47.7
Jus'Do It picked up a distress call on VHF radio from a nearby non ARC
yacht Sagitair, reporting with rudder problems. After contacting ARC
control in Cowes, a fleet wide request for assistance was sent out over the
ARC communications net, and the Falmouth MRCC contacted. ARC yachts Candela
and Spirit of Clyde were closest to the distress vessel and diverted to
assist.

Arriving at the location at 19:19hrs UTC with little time to spare, the
French crewman was taken off Sagitair onto the Moody 38 Spirit of Clyde.
Although the smaller yacht, Spirit of Clyde had fewer crew and was
therefore better able to accommodate the unexpected guest, reported Bjorn
Stahl, skipper of the Swedish yacht Candela, which provided communications
assistance for the rescue.

It is believed that Sagitair had just one person onboard and all involved
in the rescue are reported well. The distressed yacht has been abandoned
and is expected to sink within the next few hours. Falmouth MRCC have
issued a warning to shipping in the area, while both Spirit of Clyde and
Candela are continuing onto St.Lucia.

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