Budel rescued

69 year old Dutch solo skipper plucked from sinking yacht mid-Indian Ocean in the Portimao Global Ocean Race

At 11:45 GMT today, 69 year-old, Dutch solo sailor, Nico Budel, was rescued from his stricken Open 40 racing yacht Hayai in the Indian Ocean by the 17,000 tonne bulk carrier CSK Radiance bound for Rotterdam. The rescue was undertaken in 7 metre seas and around 20 knots of wind, 900miles south-east of Madagascar bringing an end to 48 hours of drama for Budel, his family and the Portimão Global Ocean Race organisation and race fans.

The 948ft CSK Radiance made two passes, manoeuvring the huge ship alongside Budel’s 40ft yacht before the Dutch sailor was transferred aboard. “The conditions for rescue were not ideal,” said Race Director Josh Hall who, along with MRCC Reunion and the captain of the ship, coordinated the rescue. “There was a seven metre swell running and a moderate wind of around 20 knots, making it difficult to manoeuvre a ship the size of Radiance alongside a small yacht. Clearly Captain Singson and his crew are highly experienced seamen and we thank them profusely for not only diverting to help Nico, but also for their skill and determination in pulling off a successful operation.”

The rescue is a culmination of intense coordination by the worldwide network of maritime rescue services, the Portimão Global Ocean Race organisation, the rescue ship and the yacht’s skipper. “We are overwhelmingly grateful to MRCC Reunion for their level of expertise,” said Hall, “and very pleased that Nico, a superb seaman in his own right, was safely transferred from Hayai to CSK Radiance.”

Just two hours after the rescue, Nico Budel was in great spirits: “I feel terrible,” he said, his laughter clearly audible over the satellite phone link. “The people are so good to me here on the ship, although I am very sad to leave my boat.

A 48 hour cliff-hanger

Budel sustained damage to the keel of his ten year-old, carbon fibre boat on 28 December. The keel bulb had separated from the blade when the fastenings that run from the lead bulb to the top of the keel became loose. Upon further inspection it was clear that there was a major issue. He then observed that the bulb was at a 20 degree angle to the blade and could feel it banging around.

Fellow competitor, Belgian solo sailor Michel Kleinjans on Open 40 yacht, Roaring Forty, 600 miles east of Budel, was diverted towards the Dutch sailor’s position. Within hours, the situation for Budel deteriorated as the heavy lead bulb at the base of the keel worked loose and the risk of capsizing became a real threat. The solo sailor activated his EPIRB at 15:45 GMT on 28 December and issued a MAYDAY. Rapidly, the Portimão Global Ocean Race organisers worked with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Reunion island to divert two commercial ships towards the damaged yacht’s position to rescue Budel. Early on the morning of 29 December, fellow competitor, Michel Kleinjans and the bulk carrier Nord-Kraft were stood down as CSK Radiance continued with the rescue.

“I was very worried that the boat was going to capsize at any time,” Budel recounted via a satellite phone call from on board CSK Radiance. “I have been on deck for the last two days in my survival suit as I did not want to be trapped below. It has been a very emotional time but I am happy to be saved and grateful to Captain Singson and his crew. They have been very welcoming. Before I left the boat I opened up the seacocks and there was already a lot of water around the keel. I am sure that it will sink in a few hours.” The tracking device on board Hayai continues to send position reports and will do so until the boat goes down. Scuttling the boat is a prudent course of action to ensure that Hayai does not present any danger to maritime traffic.

Budel is hoping to be airlifted off the boat when the ship passes Cape Town. “I need to get back to Holland as soon as I can,” he said. “If I can find a boat in New Zealand that I suitable for this kind of race I will buy it and rejoin the fleet in Wellington. This is a great event with great people and I want to continue to be a part of it. If not this one, definitely the next one.”

Aside from the ships papers and his computer, the only thing that Budel salvaged from Hayai was a wooden plaque give to him by his father. “I have the plaque with me,” he said. “It will be fixed to the interior of my new boat as soon as I have one. I am very sad to lose this great boat that has already raced twice around the world, but at least I am safe and there will be another boat and another race.”

"I am very relieved now Nico is rescued," commented Michel Kleinjans from Roaring Forty. "It was me who brought this race to his attention when it was first announced two years ago. If I thought one guy was going to finish it would be him as he sails a bit more cautious then the most of us. So Nico I know it is hard at the moment, but keep up your spirits. There will be another race and boats can be replaced. The main thing is that you are safe and life goes on.



Nico Budel

Born in Velp, near Arnham, 70 miles from the Dutch coast, Budel has amassed a huge amount of sailing knowledge and a large family with five children and ten grandchildren: factors that are fundamental to his participation in the Portimão Global Ocean Race. “My most important goal is to come back safely, to my wife Myrna, my children,” he explains. “I have two daughters and three sons, and my grandchildren. That’s the most important thing for me.”

With a background in property development, Budel began sailing with his sons in dinghies before chartering cruising yachts for extended family holidays in Norway and visiting Britain, France, Spain and Portugal. Deciding to switch from cruising to racing, he has taken part in North Sea races from Holland to Norway via the Shetland Islands, the AZAB (Azores and Back Race) and has completed six double-handed Fastnet Races with his wife, Myrna, operating as shore crew, preparing the boat, buying supplies and handling all logistics.

Opting for a faster more powerful yacht, in 2005, aged 66, Budel and Hayai were first in class during the OSTAR, racing across the North Atlantic in just over 22 days.

At 69 years-old, his participation in the Portimão Global Ocean Race has met with mixed reactions “Some people have called me crazy, some say ‘Whoa! Do you dare do it?’” explains Budel. “Some say, ‘Awesome adventure’, and other just say simply, ‘Enjoy’. That’s what I plan to do. Enjoy myself. And when it’s over I will return to my career as a real estate developer, work I really like, and life will go on.”

Hayai

Like fellow competitor, Michel Kleinjans, Budel’s Open 40 is a lightweight, powerful, custom made offshore racer with a canting keel and carbon construction combining strength and performance. Launched in 1998 and co-designed by her Russian owner/builder, Viktor Yazykov, and American Stephen Baker of Newport, RI, Hayai (meaning ‘speedy’) has already lapped the planet twice (named Wind of Change) with Yazykov at the helm, including participation in the 1998-99 Around Alone Race. The yacht and skipper make a good team: “The boat is proven,” Budel says. “It is easy to sail and I feel it is very seaworthy. Also, it’s not too big for me. I can manage the boat very well.”

Length: 12.18m, Beam: 3.84m, Draught: 2.96m, Displacements: 4100kg Sails: Mainsail: 72m², Genoa: 39m², Gennaker 144m, Launched: 1998
Designers: Viktor Yazykov/Stephen Baker