Rough conditions and technical woes left two crew members from a yacht in distress two weeks ago, according to an incident report by the Department of Marine and Ports Services of Bermuda.
The maritime operations centre of the department reported a rescue operation that took place on November 12, 2025, when the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Mama Strength managed by the Greek shipping company MPP Carriers came to the aid of two sailors who were in grave danger after their sailing boat suffered damage in heavy weather, 100 nautical miles north of Bermuda.
At about 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, reports received from yachts in St. Georges Harbour that the sailing vessel,a 41-foot Beneteau sloop, was in possible distress 100 miles north of Bermuda in heavy weather.
The sailing vessel had reportedly lost the use of its sails, the engine was inoperable, and one of her two crew had sustained an injury of some type.
An incident report said: “RCC Bermuda is able to make satellite phone contact with the vessel to obtain description and other safety equipment details.”
It was reported that 7:00 p.m., the two crew aboard the sailing boat said that they wanted to abandon the vessel. RCC Bermuda began a search for suitable nearby merchant ships able to divert.
Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard organised a cutter to depart from Cape May at daylight on November 12 to investigate this and another sailing yacht incident.
RCC Bermuda identified that the bulk carrier Mama Strength, which was enroute from Ireland to Baltimore, was about 70 miles from the casualty.
At the time, the sailing vessel battery was running low. “All communications and other systems are being shut down to conserve power except for hourly updates to RCC Bermuda ahead of the Mama Strength getting on scene,” the incident report by the Department of Marine and Ports Services said.
At about 6:50 p.m. on November 12, the Mama Strength was on scene and made one attempt to transfer the crew from yacht to ship without success.
Thanks to the quick response, professionalism, and seamanship of the crew, both individuals were brought safely on board after the third attempt due to high seas and received immediate care and support.
“During a third attempt, yacht is secured alongside with mooring ropes in heavy seas and crew are sent harnesses to put on prior to climbing a pilot ladder,” the report said.
The two yachtsmen were safely on board the Mama Strength by 9:00 p.m. local time in “good condition” and the ship continued its voyage to Baltimore, Maryland.
