Vendée Globe

Another special radio broadcast today, but for much less welcome reasons. Attended by Alain Gautier, safety consultant for the Vendée Globe, today’s updates included a report from Armel Le Cléac'h, one of two skippers currently on his way to assist in the rescue of Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) after he capsized early this morning.

Latest news is that the tanker Sonangol Kassanje is alongside VM Matériaux but unable to launch a rescue boat due to the sea state. Armel Le Cléac'h (Brit Air) and Vincent Riou (PRB) expect to be on the scene in around four hours, around 15h (GMT). News from Armel and Alain Gautier, plus updates from the latest press conference, below…

French skippers’ broadcast:
4th - Armel Le Cléac'h (Brit Air): 25-30 knots SW'ly gusting to 35-40, 3-4 m high waves, series of squalls. Currently 55 miles from VM Matérieux so reckons it will take him four hours to reach the spot. The priority is getting there as quickly as possible and following instructions from Race Directors. Conditions should allow him to get there without too much difficulty. It’s about 4°C, sea temp 5°. Is in constant conversation with Vincent Riou.
Alain Gautier: Armel's presence is important as it’s not certain that the oil tanker can lower a boat into the water, and Vincent's engine not working. They are not sure whether it is a keel or daggerboards that are still in place as the pilot of the plane is not certain. Worth remembering that it may be possible for a boat to recover Jean from his yacht — as happened with Pete Goss-Raphael Dinelli in the 1996 Vendée Globe and with Loick Peyron and Vincent Riou in The Transat.
9th - Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas): Waiting for news of Jean. Calm seas meaning sailing is pleasant. Not too cold either.  Will have to gybe tomorrow to pass Ice Gate. Hasn't used his legs much so they are feeling weak, but otherwise feels fine.

Press conference:
Philippe de Villiers (President of the Vendée Council): Because of rough seas, the captain of the oil tanker can only stay alongside, but not launch a boat. Chilean authorities requesting tanker stays there. Armel and Vincent should arrive at 16h. No more news of Jean.  Plane to fly over again hoping to take picture to see whether keel in place or not
Denis Horeau (Race Director): Patience required as seas likely to remain rough. Race direction in constant contact with Armel and Vincent. The rescue is likely to take longer than they hoped. No direct contact between Jean and oil tanker. MRCC Punta Arenas in charge of operations in collaboration with French and Chilean authorities.
Alain Gautier (Safety consultant): On the IMOCA 60s the phones are inside an emergency kit, but considering the boat is upside down it may not be easy to find. Because of sea conditions Le Cam may have decided to stay inside.
 

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