Operation Hatherleigh

The towing Virbac to safety mission now 450 miles from Lorient

At 10:45 GMT on 13 June, The Hatherleigh spotted Jean-Pierre Dick and his dismasted Open 60, Virbac. Two of Virbac's shore crew were transferred by RIB to the yacht and the skipper is now on board the converted trawler. He is in very good spirits and enjoying the hospitality of The Hatherleigh. The trawler commenced towing at 14:00 GMT and is making 8 knots.

Since then The Hatherleigh has taken Virbac in tow bound for Lorient. At 1230BST this morning they were at 49° 47N 13° 56W some 450m from Lorient

"We must be getting nearer to land now, as last night we saw our first ship since passing Ireland on the way out, and today, just after lunch, we were buzzed by an Irish fisheries patrol plane," reports Andy Dare from on board. "They circled us for a good 30 mins giving us a fine show and passing so low we could see the crew inside. We had a chat with the co-pilot on the VHF and he even had time to get some good images of us as they flew past.

"As the weather has become so good now that we are back under the high pressure zone, we have the chance to show JP the true hospitality function of the Hatherleigh and broke out the BBQ on the foredeck. Hot dogs and home made beef burgers were order of the day, washed down with a light glass of wine - now we are talking!

"We have slowed down to transfer JP back to Virbac, so he can spend the final day with the support team compiling the jobs list for the refit. This will also give us chance to have a final check of the tow line before we cross the busy traffic separation scheme , as the last thing any one wants is for it to come adrift mid shipping lane.