Crew Blog

Casualties, Coordination, Completion

29 November 2007

SA strike craft Isaac Dyhoba stands by to medivac a New York crew member

One massive 300-metre bulk carrier, one naval warship, one lifeboat, two rescue centres, up to five separate doctors all spread over two countries were involved with the safe medical evacuation of our crew member from New York.

There were yells as tons of water poured into the cockpit and down the companionway hatch. An unusually large wave for the 30-knot conditions came on the side deck towards the helmsman. It was lifting and washing anything in its path. Tony was sitting on the coaming upwind of the cuddy, clipped on, when the wave struck. He was washed to the end of his strop, downhill straight into the traveller. He hit the traveller causing an alarming head injury.

It was five or so minutes after the incident when the casualty, Tony, was safely down below and we were just starting to sort him out when it suddenly looked worse than we had thought. It was becoming clear to us that he was starting to deteriorate at an alarmingly rapid rate. An immediate call to the doctor on Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper, who were only 0.3 mile astern, confirmed our worst thoughts that there was little we could do should the patient continue to deteriorate. We looked into transferring the doctor over. The seas were rough, making it a dangerous manoeuvre endangering further life.

A call to rescue coordination centre at Falmouth linked us through to a doctor to do a detailed assessment of the patient and the decision was taken to start a medical evacuation as soon as possible. We turned around and, as we had been leading the fleet, had to sail past a number of yachts in the opposite direction. This led to may radio calls of support and offerings of medical assistance. It was at this point we were officially handed over to the rescue coordination centre in Cape Town. Another linked call to a South African doctor to assess and advise on the patient and best way of evacuation.

Up on deck the winds had been continuing its barrage of near gale to gale conditions (Force 7-8) with water pouring over the decks in ample supply. The guys had been working hard to try and keep our very uncomfortable course to Durban with headsail changes and reefs bringing on and off watches together, while I concentrated on communications. Below decks it was very bouncy and we had successfully wedged our casualty in. Jen had cleaned up and was continual monitoring by periodic awakenings for assessing. Ironically, we were being guided by the patient as he is our boat medic and a very experienced paramedic in his normal life.

Rendezvous with Mineral Libin, the bulk carrier, after dusk assessed that a transfer to the ship and its doctor on board was not possible in near gale conditions. They shadowed us overnight and in one situation ensuring another large vessel correctly altered course to avoid us. On board we had our hands full yet again due to a wind change in speed and direction resulting in changing sails and tack. We were racing against the clock to Durban. Tony, by this stage was comfortable, sleeping and being woken up very regularly for assessments.

The morning brought the release of the Mineral Libin to continue on her way and a rendezvous with the Isaac Dyhoba – a South African Naval vessel with paramedics on board. Sea conditions had worsened in the gale. We discussed possible options for transfer these included using naval swimmers and a floating stretcher; using a life raft; using our small dinghy with casualty in it and naval swimmers along side. We briefly tried practically to look as some options but it simply was not going to be safe.

Onward towards Durban being shadowed by Isaac Dyhoba. By this stage the Durban lifeboat had been put on standby and assessed that a transfer inside the harbour was the only safe option again due to the sea state. This successfully took place 29 hours post incident. We immediately turned around with destination Fremantle.

A very difficult decision had been made by Dan Monk, who had just joined us in Durban from Jamaica to take the opportunity to transfer as well so that he could go on to his UK doctors for assessment of his current health.

We have since heard that both Tony and Dan are doing well and hope to see both of them back with us in Fremantle.

We are immensely grateful to all ships and persons mentioned above together with the behind the scenes Clipper officials who filled in the blanks to make the successful medical evacuation happen.

It was a full team effort, very well done by all – Hen, V, Justyn, Nate, Gary, Felicity, Jen, Bob, Al, Paul and Nick.

Finally, standing down for some sleep.

Duggie
Skipper
New York

1. Gary and Gail Robb, Boise, ID 29 November 2007

Great job by you, your crew, and others! How agonizing it must have been to see a valued crew member in jeopardy. So glad Tony and Dan are doing well.

2. Trevor Archbold, UK 29 November 2007

At least the transfers went smoothly, congratulations to all the crew for a great job at a difficult time - hope to see the guys healthy and well in Fremantle. Make good speed!

Trev

3. Rob and Anne, Consett 29 November 2007

Well done New York, Duggie and the team. Now as they say “Go south young man” God Speed.

4. Doug Brown, Dumfries, Scotland. 30 November 2007

Duggie, now that you have filled us in with the details we can start to appreciate just how serious and scarey the situation was. Sounds like every option was explored with everyone working their socks off to keep in control of things, as you say it was a fantastic team effort. Pleased to hear that both Tony and Dan are now doing well. I know you mentioned some well earned rest but I also know that you will have by now turned your full attention to getting back in the race. Hope the rest of the trip is a bit more incident free, good luck to you and the New York crew.

5. Damian, Perth 30 November 2007

Good luck and a speedy recovery to Tony P..........

Hope to see you in Freo, a few weeks from now.......

Regards

6. Damian, Perth 30 November 2007

And Dan, i don’t know you, but good luck to you !! Be well…
Regards

7. Adrian, New York 30 November 2007

Justyn--our admiration for you and your crew.

Adrian, Ann, and Peter.

8. C. Sharwood, South africa 30 November 2007

Good day Duggie and the crew of New York Clipper..

Trust all is well after your ordeal with your injured medic and that the rest of your passage to Fremantle is problem free. I have personally had to rescue sailors from the Indian ocean and know the seas can be terrible the further south one goes.

It so happened the MRCC called me to ask for assistance. The SAS ISAAC DYOBHA who assisted with the start of the race in Durban was alongside and sailed 2 hours after been order to assist. Sorry the weather did not allow a personnel transfer at sea. Hope you can make up time and get to the front of the fleet before Fremantle.

Good luck
Captain Colin Sharwood
Senior Officer Operations management
South African Navy
Simons Town

9. Judith, Surrey 30 November 2007

What an amazing team effort. Well done to everyone. What a long way off April seems. I can’t wait to join such a brilliant crew.
Love Judith

10. Gwyn, Durban 30 November 2007

Hi Duggie and all aboard New York Clipper

Well done guys, it was a fantastic effort considering all options and the weather around you. You are extraordinary humans and all the better for the fantastic effort you put to make this a safe medivac. I tell you what as a firm supporter of the race sitting here in Durban, the weather has been unbelievable here and across the Indian Ocean. I lift my hat to you all.

I hope the rest of your passgae to Fremantle is a speedy and safe one.
Bon Voyage

Gwyn.

11. Jo, London 30 November 2007

Collaboration at its very best. Fantastic. What a great team. LOL Jo x

12. D Draper, Cambridgeshire 30 November 2007

Our thoughts were with you as you were returning to Durban - it must have been a very long 29 hrs. Glad to know that Tony and Dan are doing well and we wish you an incident free journey to Fremantle.

13. june Connolly, Poitou-Charente, France 30 November 2007

I am filled with admiration for the way you all coped with the situation which was obviously a real test of courage and team-work. My love to Felicity and the best of luck to all - hope you can make up the time lost and get another first.

14. Barbara Lawry, Grantham, England 30 November 2007

It’s great to be able to read the news of all that has happened firsthand.
I’ve never been on the internet so frequently!
Well done all of you and bon chance! Love to Felicity. B & K.

15. John & Deirdre McClarty, Gildersome, Leeds, England 01 December 2007

Just returned from a few days in the Lake District and went straight to the internet to catch up on the news - didn’t realise how serious the Medivac was - well done to you all, you must be a fantastic crew. Glad Tony and Dan are OK. Hope your journey to Fremantle is swift and safe and you manage to catch up. Lots of love to Felicity xx. Deirdre & John

16. Benjamin Gibbs, Surrey/South Africa 02 December 2007

Hello to all on board, Nick in particular!
We have been following the events as they unfolded and are relieved to hear that you have completed the transfer and are now heading in the right direction! We were all extremely impressed by the dedication and professionalism of the skipper, crew and all involved. It must have been quite a baptism by fire, particularly for those who joined the boat in Durban.
Looking forward to hearing more; a fantastic post from Duggie which did well to fill in the blanks.
Good luck!
Love from Jonathan, Lee and Benjamin.

17. robin roodhuyzen, amsterdam 02 December 2007

Well done guys,great team effort in the difficult and dangerous situation. I am happy that we only read this now everything looks to be under control. Good luck with catching up with the other boats. With Paul on board we know you can do it !!
Robin and Stef

18. Gordon, 02 December 2007

Hi Duggie and crew ... what a top team !! .. well done on a successful and very difficult medivac .. sounds like the conditions are pretty full on and the team are very much up to the challenge .. keep up the excellent work and good luck getting back on course..

Will be cheering you on all the way..

All the best .. Gordon x

PS .. Glad to hear Tony and Dan are safe and well.

19. Andrea, Liverpool England Corinthian School 02 December 2007

What a great effort by all involved Well Done Team! The children at school were all very concerned about what had happened. Will pass on the news to them in the morning. Good Luck with the rest of the race to Fremantle, The children of Corinthian are supporting you! Lots of love to Corinthian Bear also from the children of Corinthian School.

20. Frieda, Wrexham 21 December 2007

Enjoy your time in Fremantle after your experiences. May you all have a very ‘merry’ Christmas. Good luck on your next leg.

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