[1]
Returning to his yacht, Horizons, and somehow continuing his round-the-world adventure was the only thing yachtsman Bernt Luchtenborg had on his mind yesterday after he was rescued from the Southern Ocean on Tuesday.
Luchtenborg (56) was five months into an attempt at twice circumnavigating the globe, both solo and non-stop, when his 16m yacht hit an underwater object he believed was most likely a sleeping whale.
In his blog he described his predicament as being "shipwrecked at the end of the world".
He placed an emergency call to New Zealand late on Monday night.
The Rescue Co-ordination Centre sent an air force Orion to assess the situation, then diverted a cruise liner to the stricken vessel.
Seven Seas Mariner, on its way from Australia to Milford Sound, sailed south and rescued Mr Luchtenborg about 8am on Wednesday.
The ship docked in Port Chalmers yesterday.
Mr Luchtenborg said he encountered 6m-high waves and violent squalls before losing his rudder and steering in the collision.
It is thought the yacht is still afloat somewhere in the Southern Ocean, west of Stewart Island.
Australian and New Zealand authorities have issued a warning, as it is a navigation hazard.
Mr Luchtenborg has completed three Atlantic crossings, including two solo, and was planning on sailing 100,000km non-stop around the globe both with and against the wind.
He set off from Cuxhaven, Germany, in mid-June.
Staying at the Victoria Hotel in Dunedin last night, Mr Luchtenborg said he was waiting for information from his insurance company before he attempted to recover his yacht with a commercial rescue boat.
Mr Luchtenborg yesterday was still unsure what company would be involved, and which harbour he might be able to sail from.
"I'm expecting that to happen pretty soon," he said.
Links:
[1] http://www.odt.co.nz/files/story/2009/11/bernt_luchtenborg_talks_to_the_media_after_being_r_7106515984.JPG
[2] mailto:debbie.porteous@odt.co.nz