Bermuda Oyster will still play a part in the 20th Marion to Bermuda Race — well, sort of.

Paul Hubbard’s 43ft sloop was forced to withdraw from the biennial ocean race on her delivery from Bermuda to Marion last week because of engine and sail problems.

It was a cruel twist for Bermuda Oyster’s crew who had invested lots of time, money and energy in a race against the clock to get the boat seaworthy after it suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Gonzalo in October.

However, there was light at the end of the tunnel for two of the boat’s crew who have been given a second bite at the cherry.

Seasoned offshore sailors Steve Musicant and Hannah Simpson have since joined the crew of the schooner Spirit of Bermuda, which is the sole remaining local entry in the 645 mile race.

“This is a very good outcome,” Musicant said. “When I got a call that Oyster was turning around and coming back I thought that was it.

“For some reason I did not cancel my ticket and then I got an e-mail from Neil Redburn [the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club Flag Officer] saying there’s a need. I don’t know why I didn’t cancel my ticket, maybe it’s one of those sixth senses. I could not believe my luck.”

The opportunity for Musicant and Simpson to sail on Spirit arose after two of the sloop’s crew became ill.

“They originally didn’t have any space but sadly for them, and luckily for us, two of the crew came down with the flu and were shipped home,” Simpson said.

“I have taken a step up in the world and I am looking forward to being on this fantastic vessel. This is my first Marion to Bermuda Race and I am excited — I can’t wait to get started.”

Although he is delighted to be back in the race, Musicant admits that he would rather be sailing with his colleagues aboard Bermuda Oyster.

“I have sailed on that boat for 11 years now and it would have been great to sail on that boat with my friends,” he said. “But now I have new friends and get to sail with the Governor [George Fergusson] on a very magnificent boat that I have never sailed.”

Simpson was aboard Bermuda Oyster on her delivery to Marion when the boat suffered engine problems.

“We had a bit of a crew discussion and safety comes first so we had to go home,” she said. “It was 150 miles home or 500 miles to the United States.

“It was very disappointing after all of the work that everybody put in and the money the skipper had spent and the hours and time. But I think it was the right call.”

Musicant added: “Unfortunately there was a lot of time, effort and money that went into the race and it ended up not happening for us for reasons that were not within our control.

“The race got scuttled for Bermuda Oyster which was disappointing. But fortunately nobody got hurt, which is good.”