DRAMA in GGR: Kirsten gets to Tapio in his Liferaft and is Transferred to Freighter. The Phone Call

Successful rescue operation for Tapio Lehtinen in the Southern Indian Ocean. Kirsten Neuschäfer first to reach his position, and take him to safety aboard Minnehaha before transferring him onto the Bulk Carrier M.V. Darya Gayatri. GGR entrant Kirsten Neuschäfer (ZAF) was first to reach Tapio’s position this morning at 0510 UTC. The South African sailor whisked GGR Veteran and Finnish sailing legend, Tapio Lehtinen, from his liferaft where he had been since Friday 0700 UTC. Three boats had been diverted yesterday to assist GGR entrant Tapio Lehtinen after he activated his Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) at 0654. He then activated his Liferaft Personal Locator Beacon at 0854 UTC following the sinking of his yacht Asteria..