At 0540 UTC this morning Falmouth Coastguard was informed by the US Coastguard in Alameda that solo British yachtswoman Jeanne Socrates, 67, was experiencing difficulties in heavy seas off Cape Horn.

Her yacht Nereida, a 38ft Najad, had suffered a knockdown and had a rope around the propeller and had broken her boom in seas up to 6 metres high and with winds gusting to 70 knots.

Staff at Falmouth Coastguard liaised with coastguards in Chile, Spain and the USA, as well as members of a radio ham network, to ensure that Jeanne was able to get assistance from the Chilean Coastguard.

The yacht is now under tow by a fishing vessel to a place of safety. A Chilean naval vessel is also standing by to continue with the tow to Puerto Williams in Tierra del Fuego.

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