Susie Goodall rescued

Moment of rescue (MRCC Chile)

Susie Goodall has been rescued and is now safely aboard the Hong Kong-flagged 190m Tian Fu. The ship arrived in the dark and waited until daylight to commence the rescue procedure which involved using one of the deck cranes to pick her up rather than lower a boat (with 4m seas it was still too rough) or ask Susie to climb a ladder (ditto).
So the Tian Fu crane driver had to lower a strop from the crane over her deck so she could clip onto it (in her own bosun’s chair (and wearing a lifejacket)… Susie needed to start her engine in order to motor at the same speed as the slowly moving ship but it cut out earlier, after running for just 20 minutes, and on the live tracker her speed has shown as 1.4kn most of the day – which looks to be her drifting speed. So it would have been a feat of seamanship from the ship’s captain (and crane crew), heading downwind to minimise roll and so too the potentially harmful jerking effect on the crane strop as the ship rolled.

The operation was organised by MRCC Chile and UK (who originally picked up her EPIRB signal). The Tian Fu had to steam 400nM to Susie’s position from the SW, but in rough seas could not steam at much more than 6 knots according to GGR organisers.

Susie was reported as feeling seasick during the last two days and had suffered concussion after she was knocked out. She was able to stay in her bunk for 12 hours, though she could not keep any food down. The story of her being pitchpoled and dismasted was reported on Wednesday – see below.

Susie planned to take a couple of bags with her on a 4 mtr line with a clip to connect to the lift line, but we can’t see this in the photo. But it is goodbye to the DHL Starlight – dismasted and with some water ingress since her pitchpoling on Wednesday. The Tian Fu is on passage from Taicang in China to Madryn in Argentina. On AIS she slowed down to 1.1kn to match Susie’s speed but by 1630GMT she was steaming at 10.5kn steering 110º.

Below Don McIntyre of GGR explains Susie’s situation more fully on December 6 2018

Susie Goodall concussed – yacht pitchpoled

From Wed December 5  Susie Goodall is suffering from concussion after her Rustler 36 DHL Starlight was pitchpoled and dismasted in heavy weather at 11.00am today, around 1600nM (1840 miles) WNW of Cape Horn. She set off her EPIRB distress beacon which was picked up by the Chilean Marine Rescue Coordination Centre who have tasked a ship 400nM to the Southwest to come to her aid. It is estimated that it will take two days to reach her.

Race organisers were able to reach the 29-year-old sailing instructor and lifelong sailor from Falmouth by satellite phone and relayed from their conversation: “The Boat was PITCHPOLED stern over bow. She was thrown across the cabin and knocked out for a while. She has cut hands, bruising and a pounding headache after concussion. Now talking to MSOS UK – the GGR 24hr telemedicine doctor for advice and check up. Weather is moderating a little. Boat huge mess down below. Not in danger for now.”

Susie initially thought that the hull had been holed after the boat filled with water, but added: “The boat is trashed. But hull and deck are secure, lost spinnaker poles too… situation developing, all safety gear OK. ”

With all poles gone, and the stanchions plus any spare gear lashed on her deck there is no chance for Susie to jury rig the vessel: Speaking with emotion, but sounding very much in control of her situation, Susie also confirmed that she had secured all hatches, portholes and safety equipment, and did NOT need immediate assistance.

The winds have since dropped down to 45 knots from 60kn+ and conditions are likely to improve further as the storm continues to head East.

Earlier today Susie had messaged via GGR: “TAKING A HAMMERING! WONDERING WHAT ON EARTH I’M DOING OUT HERE! Position: 45′ 33.054 S 122′ 37.061 W at 05 Dec 08:29 UTC”

Susie was enjoying the sailing very well in 35/40kts when the safety tube of the Monitor wind vane failed. She dropped the reefed main then set the Jordan Series drogue as she could not hand steer in the building winds. She went below. Sometime later (11.00am) she was gearing-up to come on deck to check things when the boat was pitchpoled stern over bow. The mast and all poles were lost. The windvane was damaged by the backstay. The drogue Bridle is still fitted but the drogue has gone.

UPDATE: Susie rang and she is OK, rolled, dismasted, hull and deck secure, lost spinnaker poles too…situation developing, all safety gear OK …More soon.

Barry Pickthall of GGR talks to BBC R4 about the incident: