Rescue drama ends Arctic bid

Tuesday 5th May 2009, 3:00PM BST.

Mr Surcouf and his two expedition mates are rescued from their 40-foot yacht, Fleur, by the oil tanker Overseas Yellowstone on Saturday

A JERSEY arctic adventurer sailing to Greenland was lucky to be alive today after he was forced to abandon his yacht in the freezing waters of the north Atlantic.

After more than 48 hours of being battered by up to 30-foot waves and winds gusting to more than 60 mph, Raoul Surcouf and his two expedition mates were rescued by an oil tanker.

They had endured unimaginable conditions throughout Thursday night, Friday and Saturday. Their 40-foot yacht Fleur was repeatedly knocked onto its side and water was coming in continuously. By Saturday morning, having battled through the night with no sleep and after their sea anchor was ripped off by a rogue wave, the boat capsized.

A rescue operation co-ordinated by coastguard agencies in Ireland and Cornwall was launched. A plane was sent to fly over the stricken yacht and the tanker was redirected to pick up the crew.

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