Text: Hans J Marter
Photos: Craig Sim, Millgeat Media.

21 June, 2008

A NORWEGIAN yachtsman who sparked a major sea and rescue operation off Shetland last night (Friday) said he had not been familiar with the new VHF radio on board his 21ft yacht.

The alarm was raised after the Paradis, a Mini Transat 6.50, competing in the annual Bergen to Shetland yacht race, had not made any contact with race organisers for 30 hours.

Following an extensive search involving the coastguard helicopter Rescue 102 and the Lerwick lifeboat on Thursday night and yesterday morning, the yacht was eventually spotted by an RAF Nimrod 17 miles southeast of Lerwick at 7 am.

It took the crew, Helge Stokstad and Beate Birkeland, from Bergen, another 10 hours to sail into Lerwick harbour despite the lifeboat standing by and offering a tow.

Shetland Coastguard said last night they were not amused and urged competitors to take safety more seriously.

Speaking after berthing his yacht at Lerwick's Victoria Pier, Mr Stokstad said he had only become aware of the search for him and his partner when they saw the Nimrod just after 7am on Friday morning.

The couple had set off from Bergen on Wednesday together with 43 other yachts competing in the annual event. Weather conditions were challenging with north westerly winds up to force eight and rough seas.

"We didn't need the lifeboat and we didn't ask for it. The weather was terrible, and it was nice to know that someone was looking for us, but the boat was okay and there was no danger.”

Mr Stokstad said he could understand that the race committee was getting worried when they had not heard from them for more than 30 hours, but added: "We had this new VHF radio installed and I don't know exactly how to use it. There were maybe some mistakes there. I didn't get any contact, so I decided to try it again later."

His wife added: "We had no mobile signal, and we were very busy during the storm. Helge was outside all the time, while I was inside and seasick."

Mr Stokstad said: "It is nice to be in the harbour. We bought this yacht last autumn and it is pretty new for us. But after last night I feel very confident with this boat. It is bomb proof."

John Webster, of Shetland Coastguard, said the local team had been busy since last night when the alarm was raised at around 9pm.

"It was awkward from the point of view that the vessel was not talking to us. If he had maintained radio contact with us it would have been a very simple operation.

"But due to the lack of communication it was a rather protracted and tedious operation, to say the least."

The Bergen to Shetland race committee is to launch an internal investigation and may review its procedures.

Last night (Friday) all crew members gathered for the prize giving on Victoria Pier. Sailors expressed their delight that the overdue yacht had finally made it into the harbour and that everybody was safe and well.

Winner of the first leg to Shetland was Sofie IV in the fully crewed class and Fandango in the double handed class. The return leg to Bergen gets under way tomorrow morning.

The Bergen to Shetland race coincides with the annual Favour of Shetland event on the pier, a four day celebration of local produce and talent.