On Tuesday, a container feeder crew successfully rescued a solo sailor from a disabled yacht off Bermuda’s coast, navigating challenging sea conditions. The Bermuda rescue coordination center was alerted on Saturday about the 52-foot sailing yacht Alcyon Blue, which faced engine and generator failures during its journey from Antigua to Bermuda. The yacht was battered by high winds that damaged its storm jib, and diesel fumes permeated the interior, leaving the sailor, Demetris Lappas, feeling dizzy and nauseous. He activated his EPIRB for assistance, which was communicated to the Bermuda RCC.
Lappas, a Cypriot national and former Olympic windsurfer, utilized a Garmin InReach device to stay in contact with family members, who relayed messages to the authorities. By Sunday, the Alcyon Blue had drifted approximately 100 nautical miles southeast of Bermuda, with prevailing winds of 30 knots. Conditions were so severe that Lappas requested help to abandon ship. The Bermuda RCC dispatched the nearby floating-library ship Logos Hope and the small container feeder Bermuda Islander to assist.
The Bermuda Islander arrived first around 1:00 AM on Tuesday, but rough seas with waves over 20 feet prompted the crew to wait for calmer conditions before proceeding. After several attempts, the Islander managed to reach the yacht and safely brought Lappas aboard. Following a health assessment that confirmed he was uninjured, the Islander continued its voyage to New Jersey. Meanwhile, Logos Hope has arrived in Bermuda for a weeks-long visit, continuing its mission of promoting literacy through book sales.
