Storms during the 1979 Fastnet race wrought havoc on over 300 yachts taking part in the biennial race, resulting in 17 fatalities. Emergancy services and civilian vessels from around the west side of the English Channel were summoned to aid what was the largest rescue operation in peace-time. Those involved included RNAS Culdrose search and rescue helicopters, St Mary’s Lifeboat, a Dutch warship and trawlers from France.
Build-up
The 605-mile race started on 11 August 1979. By 13 August, winds were reported at Force 6, with gusts of Force 7. Forecasters were predicting winds of Force 8. The leading boat, Kialoa, was on course to break the Fastnet record set eight years earlier. However, the headlines the following day were not about his 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”. Daily Telegraph (15 August, 1979, p. 1) described the situation, where “Royal Navy ships, RAF Nimrod jets, helicopters, lifeboats, a Dutch warship and other craft picked up 125 yachtsmen whose boats had been caught in force 11 hurricane strength gusts midway between Land’s End and Fastnet.” The effort also included tugs trawlers and tankers. Rescue efforts began after 6:30 am on 14 August, once the winds had dropped to storm Force 9.
Finish line
The winner of the race was the 77-foot SV Condor which gained around 90 minutes on the leader at the Fastnet rock, the SV Kialoa. Jim Kilroy of the Kialoa had broken his ribs and there was damage to the yachts runners. The Condor broke the existing Fastnet record by nearly eight hours (71h25m23s).
Vessels that did not finish
23 vessels were lost or abandoned, the rest retired.
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 Detente
- 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 helicopter.
- SV Golden Leigh
- SV Good Intentions
- SV Gremalken. Sunk. *
- SV Gringo. Reported as ‘believed sunk’.
- SV Hestral. (Abandoned.)
- SV Hoodlum
- SV Impetuous
- 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 Cloud of Britain, broken rudder.
- SV Morning Glory
- SV Mulligatawny
- SV Mutine
- SV Pachena
- SV Pegasus
- SV Pepsi of England
- SV Pepsi of Holland
- SV Pinball Wizard
- SV Polar Bear of Britain. Sunk. Crew rescued.
- SV Regardless of Ireland, broken rudder. Towed by lifeboat.
- SV Samurai II
- SV Scaldis
- SV Scaramouche. (Abandoned.)
- SV Schuttevaer of Holland
- SV Sinndkabar
- SV Skat
- SV Sophia
- SV Tam O’Shanter
- SV Tarantula of France
- 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 Navy coordinated efforts with the success of finding around 80 vessels and rescuing 136 crew members. Key contributers to the rescue
Royal Navy
- HMS Anglesea, minesweeper
- HMS Broadswood, frigate
- HMS Dasher, yacht
- HMS Sultan, yacht
- One other RN vessel
- Eight Royal Navy helicopters from RNAS Culdrose and RNAS Prestwick, including Sea Kings, Lynx helicopters and Wessex helicopters
- Four Nimrods from RAF St Mawgan
Dutch Navy
- HNLMS Overijssel, destroyer
Irish Navy
- Entire service.
Lifeboats
- Baltimore lifeboat
- St Mary’s Lifeboat
References
- Fairchild, Tony (1979) Kiaola heads for Fastnet record Daily Telegraph, p. 26, 14 August, 1979.
- Rais, Guy and Bramwell, Christopher (1979) 10 die in yacht race havoc Daily Telegraph, p. 1 & 32, 15 August, 1979.
- Fairchild, Tony (1979) Killer wind gives Condor record Daily Telegraph, p. 29, 15 August, 1979.
- Fairchild, Tony (1979) Fastnet may be limited to fewer Yachts Daily Telegraph, p. 3, 16 August, 1979.
- Roy, Amit (1979) Last of the Fastnet race yachts found Daily Telegraph, p. 1, 17 August, 1979.
- Wettern, Desmond (1979) Fastnet race rescue operation involved 4,000 people Daily Telegraph, p. 2, 20 August 1979.