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British sailors rescued near Java Sailors in dramatic Java rescue
(about 4 hours later)
A crew of 16 sailors, including five Britons, taking part in the Clipper Round the World Race has been rescued after their yacht ran aground. A crew of 16 sailors, including nine Britons, has been rescued from a sinking yacht after it struck rocks in the Clipper Round the World Race.
The alarm was raised at 2000 GMT on Wednesday after the Cork Clipper struck a rock 200 miles north east of Java. The crew abandoned the Cork Clipper on life rafts after the accident in Indonesian waters, and was later rescued by two other competing yachts.
The crew, including eight Irish, two Australian and one Chinese sailor, boarded life rafts before being picked up by two other competing yachts. The 68ft (20.72m) yacht ran into trouble in high winds and rough seas in the early hours of Thursday local time.
All of the sailors are now safe and their families have been informed.All of the sailors are now safe and their families have been informed.
The crew abandoned Cork Clipper after the yacht hit a rock near the small Indonesian island of Gosong Mampango. The Cork Clipper was holed by a rock near the small Indonesian island of Gosong Mampango, about 200 miles north-east of Java.
The sailors moved to a rocky outcrop and from there used life rafts to transfer to two other yachts participating in the race, the California Clipper and Team Finland. The crew radioed nearby yachts California Clipper and Team Finland before abandoning their boat on life rafts and paddling to nearby rocks.
The 68ft (20.72m) Cork Clipper, which is based in Gosport, Hampshire, has been left lying on its side, taking in water. The sailors were forced to paddle out on the stormy seas again to reach rescue boats, which had been about four nautical miles away and arrived near daybreak.
International Rescue Services had been alerted by Falmouth Coastguard, who co-ordinated the operation to rescue the crew. 'Lucky escape'
International Rescue Services had been alerted by Falmouth Coastguard, who co-ordinated the operation to rescue the crew after being contacted by Team Finland.
A spokeswoman for Falmouth Coastguard said: "The crew had a lucky escape. You don't abandon ship unless you have to."
The Cork Clipper crew included five Irish, one Australian and one Chinese sailor and was the Irish entry in the race, skippered by Richie Fearon, 29, from Derry.
The boat is based in Gosport, Hampshire.
The 10-strong clipper fleet began the race on 13 September last year from the Humber estuary. Its current leg is from Geraldton in Western Australia to Singapore.The 10-strong clipper fleet began the race on 13 September last year from the Humber estuary. Its current leg is from Geraldton in Western Australia to Singapore.
Famed sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, chairman of race organisers Clipper Ventures, said: "Clearly our priority has been the safety of the crew and we have confirmation that all on board have evacuated and are now safe.
"Their welfare is our prime concern at this time."