Clippers in Subic - Crews in Suspense

'Qingdao Subic Bay' Tim Hedges

On Saturday February 4th, Rory Gillard, skipper of Glasgow Clipper, part of the ten boat Clipper fleet on route from Singapore to Qingdao radioed that she was leaking.

The Clipper 2005-2006 Race Director Tim Hedges explained, ‘Glasgow was taking on water. When heeled there was some water washing up above the level of the floor boards at the outboard edge of the galley. The yacht’s bilge pumps worked effectively throughout keeping the ingress of water under control.’

Glasgow Clipper reported a loose keel bolt and as a result the Race Team immediately advised the rest of the ten-strong fleet to check their bolts for movement. After carrying out an inspection, six other yachts reported slight movement of the keel bolt.

The decision was taken to divert all ten Clipper 68's to Subic Bay in the Philippines for a full investigation and for any necessary remedial work to be carried out.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnson announced in Subic Bay that ‘Clipper Ventures PLC are ensuring that all crew are provided with flights home or a sum to assist with living expenses for the duration of the repairs.’

Hedges provided an updated for Sail-World late last week

‘Currently the surveyor is inspecting the fleet and next week we will have a clearer idea of the damage and timeframe for remedial work and the impact on the race schedule. However we believe it will take a number of weeks to complete the repairs and conduct sea trials ready for the race restart.

‘The priority at this stage is to affect a suitable repair and get the boats racing again rather than to divert energy into attempting to apportion blame.’

However Clipper Ventures CEO William Ward was more direct. ‘We have paid good money for these boats so there will be a claim against the designers (Dubois) or the builders, (Shanghai Double Happiness Yachts) depending on the survey results, for the full amount of any costs, so there is a good chance that Clipper Ventures PLC will have to pay out zero.’

The crews were initially told that Clipper Ventures was anticipating an 8th March start date but that has now been pushed back.

As many of the paying crews had taken holiday leave to shortly after the scheduled completion of the race, it seems that work commitments may mean they will be forced to miss the final leg to Jersey in the Channel Islands.

The question posed by anxious crew was ‘what will happen if we are unable to sail the last leg?’

Hedges explains. ‘Crew have been briefed in Subic Bay about the situation and are aware that refunds will not be provided if they are unable to complete the race or a leg.’

Unfortunately it seems that the race will be delayed now by eight or more weeks. Many of the crew of the 10 boats say they believe it would seem difficult to maintain that passenger paying crew would not get refunds after a delay of this time.

The surveyor has now finished work in Subic Bay and has returned home to compile the report.

Meanwhile, initial remedial work has already started. Eight out of the ten boats are now without rigs, Glasgow and Qingdao are on work cradles. Liverpool is now in the slings with her keel unbolted.

The keels on all three have been removed and the internal area is being cleared to give full access for the repair. As grinding is the major process at this time, winches, switch panels, lockers, navigation stations and all cavities have been taped over to keep the dust out. The rear keel bolts sit under the engines so these too have had to be moved aside.

The next two to come out will be Durban and Victoria. There has been a large amount of grinding done on Qingdao and Glasgow as local subcontractors clear the area around the keels on these boats.

This week the situation should be further clarified, with crew and stop-over cities awaiting news. by Rob Kothe - Sail World