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SPIRIT OF MYSTERY

SPIRIT OF MYSTERY Sunday March 08th, 2009

DRAMA DURING SPIRIT OF MYSTERY EPIC VOYAGE

Skipper Pete Goss’ historic voyage from Cornwall to Australia has run into trouble on the ‘home straight’ when his vessel, Spirit of mystery suffered a knockdown and a crew member broke his leg. The incident happened about 300NM off Kangaroo Island, S Australia, when ‘Spirit’ was hit by a large wave in strong winds, which knocked her over. Crewmember, Mark Maidment fell and broke his right leg below the knee. He was treated below deck and given morphine and is now in good spirits and in a stable condition.

The voyage to replicate a journey taken by seven Cornish prospectors in 1845 during the Australian Gold Rush was nearing the end when the accident happened. The Australian Maritime Authority was alerted and on Thursday a helicopter flew out from Canberra to airlift the injured crewmember. The vessel was undamaged in the knockdown and is continuing its voyage to Melbourne.
CORRECTION
Apologies to all our readers for reporting incorrectly that Mark Maidment, who broke his leg during a knockdown aboard Pete Goss’ Spirit of Mystery was airlifted to safety. Apparently the airlift was rethought due to the loss of the life-raft during the incident. Mark would have been towed behind the vessel in the raft and winched aboard the helicopter. The rolling seas compounded the problem and it was decided by the crew, Mark included that ‘Spirit’ should sail on. The injured crew-member, who was reportedly stable and comfortable opted be taken off the boat at Portland.

Spirit of mystery is due to arrive in Melbourne today 10th March after completing a re-enactment of the legendary voyage by Cornish prospectors made 154 years ago. Skipper Pete Goss was awarded the MBE following his heroic single-handed rescue of fellow competitor Raphael Dinelli in the 1996/97 Vendee Globe Challenge. The crew of Spirit of Mystery include his younger Brother, nephew and brother-in-law Mark.