Jacqui survives yacht disaster
Jacqui Browne at the helM of the Jeanie Johnston. File photo by Ted Creedon
Wednesday January 20 2010
A TRALEE woman and an Abbeyfeale native were among 16 sailors rescued from a racing yacht, which ran aground and was critically damaged in the Java Sea last week.
Jacqui Browne (48), a disability equality consultant from Tralee and Gavin Kelly (34) an engineer from Abbeyfeale were aboard the Cork Clipper, Ireland's entry in the Clipper Round The World Race, when it struck a reef on January 13.
The yacht was critically damaged when it struck the reef just after 4am local time at Gasang Mampango, some 200 nautical mile north east of Jakarta, Indonesia in the Java Sea.
Using two small rafts the crew made their way to nearby rocks where they huddled until rescued a few hours later, at daybreak, by two other racing yachts.
All of the crew were recovered safely and no one was injured in the incident. Some of the crews' belongings, including all their passports and travel documents, were rescued from the Cork Clipper.
The crew, including Jacqui Browne and Gavin Kelly, were then taken to Indonesia aboard the California and Finland Clippers.
They remain in Indonesia and are recovering from their ordeal at the Nangsa Point Marina in Indonesia's Batam provence.
Both have been in contact with their families in Ireland and are reported to be in good health and excellent spirits despite their experience.
Jacqui Browne, a long time member and PRO of Tralee Bay Sailing Club was part of the Cork Clipper crew for three of the 35,000-mile race's seven stages.
She joined the crew last October and was part of the team that steered the Cork yacht to victory in the third stage of the race between South Africa and Australia in mid December.
She had been due to return to Ireland when the current stage concludes in Singapore before returning to take part in the final stage between the Caribbean and the UK later this year.
Gavin Kelly had just joined the crew of the boat prior to its departure from Australia and was due to remain aboard for two stages of the race.
Efforts are now underway to find a replacement vessel so the crew can continue in the race. If one cannot be found there are places available for the crew on the nine other yachts in the race.
- SIMON BROUDER
