US Coastguard Medivac
Yesterday was day 2 of Race 13 that saw us depart home port, Washington DC, on our third journey over the Atlantic and our final ocean crossing.
I recall the advice from Sir Robin Knox-Johnston before we left not to be complacent in thinking the Atlantic would be ‘easy’, having battled the South Indian and Pacific oceans. That warning was not lost on me during day 2.
Whilst preparing breakfast as cookie, a sudden gust of wind over the boat left Cat with a freshly boiled pot of coffee toppled over her in the galley. Incredibly frightening for her at the time. As Greg and my bunks were closest, we heard her scream and rushed to help, Greg reaching her first and dousing her in cold fresh water. I grabbed medical cool packs and frozen items from the freezer and between us we did our best to reduce the heat in her skin. Whilst in a state of shock, Cat was extremely brave and explained what had happened. Hannah and Ella contacted Clipper Race’s Telemedical provider to report the event and to request expert advice whilst keeping a close eye on the situation with Cat.
We had been racing hard up until this pointand were doing really well, right in the middle of a fight with Perseverance,only a couple of boat lengths off our beam.So, you can imagine the impact of the news from Hannah that the advice of the medical team was to get Cat off the boat and to a hospital. This translated into “we are heading back to Norfolk, Virginia”. The gravity of the situation sank in. With a few waves to some, no doubt,very surprised jousting partners, we peeled away from Perseverance, turned 180 degrees and gybed to head down wind. Back the way we had come.
The priority was of course Cat, resulting in unanimous agreement that this was 100% the right decision by Hannah. There was a period where the mood amongst the crew was low. One of our own was hurt and we would drop to last in the race. I even shed a few tears as the news hit me.
However, the situation soon improved both for Cat and the Crew. The US Coastguard, working the Clipper Race Office, had decided to implement a medical evacuation (medivac) by helicopter. We raced towards land whilst the helicopter raced towards us. A huge sense of camaraderie prevailed as everyone quickly rallied to drop the spinnaker, tie on the scramble net, get the engine on, help Cat pack her belongings into a dry bag and get her into an immersion suit.
Within an hour of receiving the news, we heard the exciting sound of the helicopter arriving, along with a support plane overhead. A US coastguard rescue swimmer was lowered into the sea before swimming to the boat. He clambered up the scramble net (in flippers, just using his arms), climbed onboard and introduced himself as Evan. Evan Steff. (Bond. James Bond).* SWOON * There was an air of instant relief (eyes-on-stalks, as we took in this handsome, athletic, real life Maverick) as he explained to Cat, Hannah and the crew what needed to happen with his friendly demeanor but very professional attitude. His first question and primary concern was Cat, the condition of her injuries, what medication she’d taken and how she was.
Hannah kept the boat motoring forward at a constant speed, Ella and Evan secured Cat’s harness and inflated her life jacket, whilst the rest of the crew looked on. Evan took her to the back of the boat and after an emotional farewell to Cat, he turned to us and said, ‘You guys seem like a lot of fun, I look forward to seeing the footage.’ With the chopper whipping up sea spray and creating a wash, they both climbed over the guard rail and jumped backwards off the boat into the water. My memory is of a little wave from Cat as she was towed away from the boat and hoisted into the helicopter (via a lowered rescue cage.)
Once we’d all calmed down after the ecstatic Hollywood-esque medivac, Hannah and Ella brought us back to reality. We still had a race to complete. We had lost about 10 hours and there was a long way to go! As I now write this blog, the crew of Washington DC is highly motivated and back in the game. Whilst we are still in 11th place, we’re now only 15nm behind the next boat! There is a renewed sense of determination, and spirits are high, having gone through such an ordeal, knowing that we can survive such accidents onboard, dealing with them safely and navigating our way through them. There is also awe and respect for our Skipper Hannah and AQP Ella, having evidenced their professionalism as sailors but also as trained medics. I’ve never felt in better hands on a boat.
We’re so sad that Cat’s race had to end at the start of the Atlantic crossing but we all wish her a speedy recovery and hope she’ll rejoin us in Oban. We love and miss you Cat!