Captain: Spirit's rescue response was the right thing to do
Spirit of Bermuda captain Scott Jackson said placing the Newport Bermuda Race on the back burner to aid a sick crewman instead was "the right thing to do".Spirit was the first to respond to an emergency distress call to assist a diabetic crewman onboard the yacht Seabiscuit late on Sunday night.If given the chance, Mr Jackson said he wouldn't hesitate to do the same in the future."It's the law of the seas to help mariners in distress," he said. "It's written in every book and is everything that we have been taught at maritime academy."Spirit was eventually waved off the rescue effort by the cruise liner Enchantment of the Seas that evacuated the sick crewman en route to Boston.Mr Jackson said he was a bit perplexed to have been ordered by Bermuda Harbour Radio to respond to the distress call when there were other boats in the vicinity that were faster, better equipped and positioned to handle the situation."We definitely were not the right asset in the area to provide assistance," he added. "There were two other assets that were better equipped that could've been on the scene a lot quicker than us."In hindsight I think it would've been a lot better if the decision was made at a higher level to divert these assets a lot sooner."Spirit eventually rejoined the race and intends to appeal for redress to determine her final position in the overall fleet.Overall, Mr Jackson hailed Spirit's maiden Newport Bermuda Race as an unequivocal success.After three days at sea the triple mast sloop completed the 635 mile race last night at 11.20pm (unofficially) yesterday with Dimitri Stevens, 16, at the helm."The voyage was a colossal success," Mr Jackson said. "We had a situation were there was a lot of experience and talent on board from generations that came before us."We got to take a back seat and watch these guys run the boat and there's definitely a lot of things we can learn from them."The crew were the real winners and this voyage was highly successful."Among Spirit's crew of 32 was veteran sailor Warren Brown who has logged more than 300,000 miles at sea.Spirit was the sole boat in the new 'Spirit of Tradition' class that competed for the War Baby Trophy.A total of 166 boats participated in the Newport Bermuda Race.* For pictures on board the Spirit click here.
As the Spirit of Bermuda's maiden voyage in the Newport Bermuda Race drew to an end last night, there was relief and a little bit of frustration as the triple mast sloop crawled along at five knots towards the St David's finish line as drakness fell.Some crew members were eating dinner in the galley while others were above deck taking in the breathtaking views and sunset off the Island's northern coast.Among the crew of 32 is veteran sailor Warren Brown who was impressed with Spirit's performance in the 635 mile race."I'm surprised how she's goes to windward and how fast she goes," he said. "When you look at a boat like this you think she's quite slow. But she's not slow, she's fast and I think quite a few people are surprised to see her up there (top half of the fleet)."At the helm of Spirit as she slowly made her way to port yesterdayevening was starboard watch leader Michael Ashton."Right now we are enjoying a nice bit of breeze (seven knots) which is the most we have enjoyed in a couple of hours," he said, shortly before 9pm without taking his eye away from the wheel. "Trying to sail 90 tons of vessel in seven knots of wind is phenomenal but this boat does it extremely well."Veteran sailor Ross Smith summed up his voyage at sea as "wonderful"."It's been a wonderful and great experience and I advise anybody to take the opportunity to sail aboard Spirit."Also among Spirit's crew are teenaged sailors Hannah Horsfield and Dimitri Stevens.Horsfield said :"It feels good to be back home. I wish the boat was moving faster though, I can swim faster than this."Stevens added: "It's been a little long for my liking. But it wasn't that bad."I didn't get sea sick, so it wasn't that bad."Asked would he do the Newport Bermuda Race again, Stevens smiled:"Maybe after a long break."Spirit of Bermuda is the sole entry in the new 'Spirit of Tradition' Class for the War Baby Trophy.
