This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-35420983
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Rescued transatlantic duo are 'catastrophe waiting to happen' | Rescued transatlantic duo are 'catastrophe waiting to happen' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Two yachtsmen who have been rescued nine times in seven months have been described as a "catastrophe waiting to happen" and urged to "leave UK waters". | Two yachtsmen who have been rescued nine times in seven months have been described as a "catastrophe waiting to happen" and urged to "leave UK waters". |
| In the latest mishap, US citizens Bob Weise and Steve Shapiro, both 71, had to seek help in Hayle Harbour, Cornwall, when their sailing boat tipped over, causing a fire on board. | |
| Veteran sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is among those criticising the pair. | Veteran sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is among those criticising the pair. |
| The duo previously told BBC News they were experienced enough for the trip. | The duo previously told BBC News they were experienced enough for the trip. |
| 'No longer a joke' | 'No longer a joke' |
| The boat, named Nora, left Norway in July and is aiming for the US state of Maine. | The boat, named Nora, left Norway in July and is aiming for the US state of Maine. |
| Sir Robin said: "This is no longer a joke. | Sir Robin said: "This is no longer a joke. |
| "It costs between £6,000 and £8,000 every time a lifeboat is launched. These guys are costing the RNLI a fortune. | "It costs between £6,000 and £8,000 every time a lifeboat is launched. These guys are costing the RNLI a fortune. |
| "They need to frankly pack it in or, I hate to say it, get the hell out of our waters." | "They need to frankly pack it in or, I hate to say it, get the hell out of our waters." |
| James Instance, from Falmouth Coastguard, said he was not aware of anyone being rescued so many times in a short space of time. | James Instance, from Falmouth Coastguard, said he was not aware of anyone being rescued so many times in a short space of time. |
| Duo rescued nine times in seven months | Duo rescued nine times in seven months |
| Peter Haddock, Hayle harbourmaster, said he was worried about the sailors' safety and that of emergency services. | Peter Haddock, Hayle harbourmaster, said he was worried about the sailors' safety and that of emergency services. |
| Mr Haddock said he raised the alarm on Tuesday after seeing smoke coming from the vessel's forward hatch and described the pair as a "catastrophe waiting to happen". | Mr Haddock said he raised the alarm on Tuesday after seeing smoke coming from the vessel's forward hatch and described the pair as a "catastrophe waiting to happen". |
| Fire crews extinguished a "small fire" on the 18-tonne yacht, which Mr Shapiro said was caused by a candle, and that "otherwise there was no real damage". | Fire crews extinguished a "small fire" on the 18-tonne yacht, which Mr Shapiro said was caused by a candle, and that "otherwise there was no real damage". |
| Mr Shapiro, a screenwriter and author from California, said he had been sailing since he was nine and "people had a right to be angry". | Mr Shapiro, a screenwriter and author from California, said he had been sailing since he was nine and "people had a right to be angry". |
| "But it's not justifiable, we have the right to the services as much as anybody else. | "But it's not justifiable, we have the right to the services as much as anybody else. |
| "The volunteer organisations volunteered to come out, it was their decision." | "The volunteer organisations volunteered to come out, it was their decision." |
| Mr Shapiro is accompanied by Mr Weise, who is an ex-US Army helicopter pilot and Vietnam veteran. | Mr Shapiro is accompanied by Mr Weise, who is an ex-US Army helicopter pilot and Vietnam veteran. |
| The RNLI and Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) refused to comment on how much the rescues would have cost. | The RNLI and Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) refused to comment on how much the rescues would have cost. |
| A spokeswoman for the MCA said: "Search resources are always used in incidents where people report seeing someone in trouble. | A spokeswoman for the MCA said: "Search resources are always used in incidents where people report seeing someone in trouble. |
| "We would always urge people to call 999 and ask for the coastguard if they're in danger or think someone else might be in distress. | "We would always urge people to call 999 and ask for the coastguard if they're in danger or think someone else might be in distress. |
| "We never put a price on human life. If we get a 999 call we respond and treat it as an emergency." | "We never put a price on human life. If we get a 999 call we respond and treat it as an emergency." |