Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper Skipper, Hannah Jenner, has informed the Race Office that a 42-year-old male crew member has been recovered safely and uninjured after being swept overboard from the bow during a headsail change in the early hours of Wednesday morning. She reported the incident happened in force 6-7 winds more than 600 nautical miles off the coast of South Africa.

The crew member was following safety procedures and was wearing a life jacket with an integral harness and was clipped onto the boat with a safety line at the time of the incident. The precise circumstances in which he went overboard are being investigated at present and further details will be issued in due course.

Clipper Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, said, ‘Thanks to our comprehensive Clipper Training, the crew member was recovered from the water in just nine minutes in very difficult conditions. Hannah and her crew demonstrated excellent seamanship throughout the incident and I would like to congratulate them on the professional and swift manner in which they dealt with the situation.’

As a precautionary measure, Hull & Humber and Nova Scotia diverted to Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper in order to transfer additional medical supplies. The two boats were racing in close proximity to Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper at the head of the fleet.