Blue Water Rally yacht sinks - cruisers to the rescue

8:24 AM Mon 30 Nov 2009 GMT

'Route of the Kersti - they almost reached Cartagena' .

A British flagged yacht participating in the renowned Blue Water Round World Cruising Rally has sunk, with its crew being rescued in remote waters by fellow cruising sailors.

It is understood that the yacht was on 'free time' between the various rendezvous which are a part of the rally.

Just before daylight on Friday (November 27) Blue Water Rally yacht Kersti of Swansea, a 15m Juneau, with Jeff and Ruth Morris on board, were on a passage from the Eastern Lemons atoll in the San Blas to Cartagena in Colombia when they issued a Mayday from their sinking vessel. This was answered by long term cruisers Jay and Barb on their Island Packet 270, Jupiter's Smile.

Jupiter’s Smile with Jay and Barb on board came to the rescue - .. .

They were taken aboard by Jupiter's Smile, and proceeded to Isla Baru (Cholon) where they were assisted by Texas couple Sonny and Kay on S/V Valentina, and others in the anchorage. The couple were then invited to travel with yet another yacht S/V Glide who were on their way to Cartagena.

In the meantime, the Cruisers' Network Online, chaired by Eddie Tuttle on M/V Tothill, has appealed to all cruisers in the area to give whatever assistance they can.

Just long range cruisers doing what long range cruisers do best - come to the aid of each other.

by Des Ryan