Lost at Sea Between Storms and Panic on Board at ARC 2024 🤯😱

ARC 2024 is in the midst of a dramatic emergency while crossing to Cape Verde, with one man missing at sea and another yacht in distress. Here is a summary of the situation: Man missing: A crew member of the Ocean Breeze yacht (a Volvo 70) fell overboard on December 2. The incident occurred during a stormy night, with gusts of over 30 knots and rough seas. The man was wearing a self-inflating life jacket with a personal AIS beacon. The search is being coordinated by MRCC Norfolk USA, involving other vessels in the race, such as Leaps & Bounds 2 and Project X. Unfortunately, air cover is not available due to the distance from the coast. The water temperature, at 27°C, offers some hope. Emergency on board Karolina Viking: A catamaran has reported serious damage, with the loss of the starboard rudder and a hole in the hull. Water has invaded part of the vessel, but the crew is trying to reach Cape Verde thanks to the port engine that remained operational. Context The Ocean Breeze, flying the Austrian flag, participates in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), an annual event that goes from Gran Canaria to Santa Lucia. The fleet of 140 boats and 820 people set off on November 24 to travel 2,700 nautical miles. The organizers expressed their closeness to the victim and his loved ones. The entire sailing world is following the evolution of the situation with apprehension. I I