This evening a full-scale rescue operation was in place to retrieve Jean Le Cam from the upturned hull of VM Matériaux – a Chilean Navy tug boat equipped with divers was on its way, a helicopter had been deployed and the tanker Sonangol Kassanje was standing by — but in the end it was Vincent Riou who successfully recovered fellow skipper and friend Le Cam.
1810 (GMT) the Race Directors spoke to Vincent Riou, who reported that Jean Le Cam had climbed out of VM Matériaux wearing his survival suit. Vincent Riou circled repeatedly to retrieve the skipper from the water, and on the fourth attempt he successfully rescued Le Cam on board PRB.
However, on his final approach alongside the inverted VM Matériaux, the end of PRB’s port outrigger was damaged against the upturned keel fin. Le Cam was able to scramble aboard soon after and appears to be unhurt, as Riou reported that both skippers worked on deck to stabilize PRB’s mast. They are now sailing slowly, on starboard tack, on a heading of 110 with three reefs in the main and no headsail.
Armel Le Cléac’h on Brit Air, who was also standing by to assist in the rescue, is now following PRB as they investigate repairs to the rig.