On 30th November, the boat of Team Vestas was wrecked on Cargados Carajos Shoals in Indian Ocean, which is located 200 nautical miles to the North East of Mauritius. The incident happened at 1510 Coordinated Universal Time.
Every one of the crew members had to abandon the vessel and they waded their way to a dry part of the reef. The team was rescued at dawn. All crew members including the Australian captain, Chris Nicholson were moved to a very small islet known as St Brandon which is located about 430 kilometres north east of Mauritius.
When the accident happened and also for the whole night, the American Team Alvimedica stood nearby and they also made adequate preparations to get the crew of Team Vestas on board their vessel. After the rescue, team Alvimedica has resumed racing.
Chris Nicholson, the captain of team Vestas said that the night was the most beautiful as well as the worst night that he has seen yet. He also said that one of the things that he is concerned about at the moment is his crew’s well being. He said that they lost electricity later that night and also they couldn’t make calls through the satellite phone. After the accident happened, the satellite phone was working and the skipper informed the race control about the accident and then he asked the shore manager of Team Vestas, Neil Cox to inform the family of the crew members about the incident. He said that the two rudders of the boat of team Vestas and also the keel bulb were broken. He also said that the entire crew salvaged as much oil and hydraulics as they could and he further added that the boat was greatly damaged. Nicholson said that the experience was unlike any other for both him and the crew.