Tragedy mid-Atlantic as a crew member in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers is fatally injuredAgecanonix at the start of the 2021 ARC Photo: James Mitchell\/WCCA sailor taking part in this year\u2019s Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (the ARC) was fatally injured, and his crew mates rescued 500 miles west of the Canaries.
\nMax Delannoy was sailing the ARC aboard the yacht Agecanonix, an X-Yachts X4.3.\u00a0Delannoy, 73, was struck by the boom but the yacht\u2019s crew were able to prevent him from falling overboard.
\nOn a Facebook page set up for those following Agecanonix\u2019s crossing, family member St\u00e9phanie Barri\u00e8re reported: \u201cOur dear Max was a victim of an accident last night, when he was just taking the helm for his night shift, the boom violently hit him in the head. Philippe, who was in the cockpit, was able to hold him back from falling into the water, but he died suddenly.\u201d
\nThe three-man all-French crew were sailing Agecanonix as part of the ARC IRC Racing Division. They had opted for a course to the north of the rhumb line route to Saint Lucia, aiming for more consistent breeze and to avoid the light winds affecting the southerly route close to Cape Verde. Their strategy had seen Agecanonix move up to 1st place in Racing B division on November 25.\u00a0
\nSkipper Philippe Anglade (left) with Max Delannoy (in companionway) preparing for the start of the 2021 ARC in Las Palmas. Max Delannoy was tragically fatally injured on 26 November. Photo: James Mitchell\/WCC
\nA MAYDAY call was made from Agecanonix around 0000hrs on 26\/27 November requesting a medical evacuation. Tragically, injured crew member Max Delannoy was declared dead before any outside help could be provided.
\nMRCC France Gris-Nez initially controlled the incident, before passing over to MRCC Ponta Delgada in the Azores, as the closest station to the Agecanonix.\u00a0
\nAt the request of MRCC, the 300m cruise ship PV Mein Schiff 1, diverted to evacuate skipper Philippe Anglade, who was also injured, his son Jean-Philippe Anglade and the body of Max Delannoy.
\nPV Mein Schiff 1 arrived at Agecanonix\u2019s position at 2130 UTC on November 27. Conditions were challenging, with an easterly Force 8 wind blowing, and rough seas of 4-5 metres.
\nThe 300-metre ship was positioned to create a lee for the rescue operation. The ship\u2019s lifeboat was deployed and attempted an approach towards the Agecanonix. With winds gusting over 40kts the rescue operation had to be aborted. PV Mein Schiff 1 then remained on station waiting for the weather to improve and for daylight to break.
\nThe 300m cruise ship Mein Schiff 1 was diverted to rescue. Photo: TUI
\nAt around 1400 the following day, November 28, MRCC Ponta Delgada reported that the rescue operation was successfully completed, with both crew and the deceased safely on board. The PV Mein Schiff 1 set a course for Funchal, Madeira.\u00a0
\nThe Agecanonix was abandoned at approximate position 29\u00b0 3.71 N, 026\u00b0 30.38 W and continues to be tracked by MRCC via the on-board YB tracker.
\nIn their statement on the incident ARC organisers World Cruising Club added, \u201cOur thoughts are very much with the Anglade and Delannoy families during this sad and difficult time.
\n\u201cWorld Cruising Club would also like to express their sincere gratitude to all the staff at the MRCC\u2019s involved in coordinating the incident, and in particular to the Captain, officers and crew of PV Mein Schiff 1.\u201d
\nThe post ARC yacht abandoned after fatality mid-Atlantic\u00a0 appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tragedy mid-Atlantic as a crew member in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers is fatally injuredAgecanonix at the start of the 2021 ARC Photo: James Mitchell\/WCCA sailor taking part in this year\u2019s Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (the ARC) was fatally injured, … <\/p>\n