RACE UPDATE 2: Wylde Swan crew member missing

12:30pm, Thursday 11 July 2013

Class B vessel Wyvern (Norway) sank this morning while taking part in The Tall Ships Races 2013 from Aarhus to Helsinki.

She began taking on water earlier today at the centre of the southern tip of í_land and Hoburgen, Gotland’s southern tip.

The crew of ten were all air-lifted and are safe ashore at Kalmar airport.

Three crew members (not trainees) from the Class A vessel Wylde Swan (Netherlands) then boarded Wyvern on their own initiative to assist the disabled vessel. They were wearing lifejackets.

Wyvern then sank and two of the three Wylde Swan crew members were picked up from the water by a Swedish Rescue Society boat. The third Wylde Swan crew member is missing and a search and rescue operation is underway.

Wyvern is a 24 metre Gaff Ketch, built in 1897 she was a regular competitor in The Tall Ships Races.

A further statement is expected to be issued later today.

For more information about the rescue from the Swedish Maritime Administration.

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