Crew safe after ship survives savage storm
THE crew of a sail training ship admitted they owe their lives to their German captain and his bridge crew after the vessel had 10 of its 17 sails shredded in a savage storm off the Irish coast in winds exceeding hurricane force.
The Roald Amundsen limped into Cobh, Co Cork, yesterday for repairs after a storm described by one veteran former US Navy crewman on board as "the worst I have ever even heard about".
On arrival some of the 30-strong crew prayed after safely surviving a storm that several feared would claim the entire vessel. The brig encountered winds of an estimated 99 knots -- some 30 knots greater than the measuring scale on board the vessel could even register.
Former US Navy official Bob Harkins said: "This was the worst storm that I had ever heard of people sailing through and living to talk about it," he said.
The storm was so powerful it drove the brig to Ireland a full three days ahead of its scheduled arrival date.
The Roald Amundsen is set to remain in Cobh until next Monday when it is scheduled to resume its voyage.
- Ralph Riegel
