Sailor lost overboard during the ARC

World Cruising Club has confirmed the loss of a 33-year-old sailor from the Volvo 70 yacht Ocean Breeze during the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). The incident occurred on Monday, 2 December 2024, at 02:27 UTC. Despite extensive search efforts, the sailor remains unaccounted for.

The search was coordinated by MRCC Norfolk USA and involved Ocean Breeze, ARC yacht Leaps & Bounds 2, and motor vessel Project X. Air cover was not possible due to the distance of the incident from land.

As daylight waned and weather conditions deteriorated, MRCC Norfolk ended active search operations at 20:45 UTC the same day. However, the search area, initially defined as 20°24.838N 043°11.623W, remains under observation. MRCC Norfolk has asked vessels in the vicinity to adjust course to pass through the area and maintain a lookout. Updated coordinates will be issued to reflect changing drift and weather conditions.

The casualty was reportedly wearing an automatically inflatable lifejacket equipped with a personal AIS beacon, but further details remain unknown.

All ARC yachts have been asked to assist in the ongoing efforts.

The ARC is an annual transatlantic event that began in 1986, organised by the World Cruising Club. A total of 820 participants aboard 140 yachts are taking part in ARC 2024, which departed Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain on Sunday, 24 November. The fleet is sailing 2,700 miles across the Atlantic to Saint Lucia.

Rally organisers World Cruising Club extended its condolences, stating: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the casualty’s family and friends and with all the crew members on Ocean Breeze at this unbelievably difficult time.”

The organisation also expressed gratitude to the crews of Leaps & Bounds 2 and Project X for their assistance.

At the request of the family, the sailor’s name has been withheld.

ARC catamaran abandoned

In a difficult 24 hours for the ARC fleet, the crew of the Swedish-flagged Leopard 45 Karolina Viking abandoned their vessel after reporting a leak in the starboard engine compartment at 03:00 (UTC) on Monday 2 December. All five crew members were safely rescued by the 22.5m Jongert Cinderella di Sanremo after a coordinated effort involving MRCC Cape Verde and another ARC yacht, Akula.

The leak, originating near the rudder stock base, caused water ingress and electrical system failure, prompting the abandonment. Separately, Team JolieF also diverted to Cape Verde for non-emergency medical assistance.