Video captures a crew's frantic efforts to recover after their 31-metre mast broke
in high seas just hours after the start of the Volvo Ocean Race.
The dramatic footage of the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team was beamed around the world
via Inmarsat's s FleetBroadband service, which is being used to send live video, photos
and blogs during the race.
Crew member Adil Khalid, the first Emirati and one of the youngest sailors to competing
in the gruelling race, described the moment the mast came crashing down as the "scariest
day of my life".
Disaster strikes
He said: "We were well drilled for the situation and behaved so calmly and professionally. However, your heart is beating really fast and you thank God everyone is safe."
He said: "We were well drilled for the situation and behaved so calmly and professionally. However, your heart is beating really fast and you thank God everyone is safe."
Disaster struck when the team's Volvo Open 70 yacht Azzam fell off the back of a wave
in violent seas just six hours and 84 nautical miles into the first 6,500 nautical
mile leg of the race from Alicante to Cape Town.
During the recovery - carried out in total darkness - boat captain Wade Morgan had
to jump into the sea to release the locks that keep the mainsail attached to the mast
Top of the leaderboard
Led by British skipper Ian Walker, the crew managed to recover the rig and motor back to Alicante before launching a round-the-clock repair effort.
Led by British skipper Ian Walker, the crew managed to recover the rig and motor back to Alicante before launching a round-the-clock repair effort.
The yacht had left Alicante at the top of the leaderboard having won the opening in-port
race and was challenging for the lead when the incident happened.
It is one of six boats taking part in the race. Onboard each one are 11 professional
sailors - and one specialist media crew member (MCM) - whose role is to
gather news and video footage.
World's media
As Race Partner and official satellite communications provider to the 2011-12 edition, Inmarsat's satellite technology is a key enabler for all aspects of the year's race.
As Race Partner and official satellite communications provider to the 2011-12 edition, Inmarsat's satellite technology is a key enabler for all aspects of the year's race.
It is being used for position reporting, weather updates and safety communications,
as well as for sending video footage or photos of the action.
The creative contribution of the MCMs to the 2011-2012 event will also be recognised
in the Inmarsat Media Award, a - 1,000 (US$1,380) prize for the best content
on each leg, and a further - 10,000 purse for the winner overall.
Visit our Heart of the Race website to find more about how Inmarsat technology is
contributing to the event and watch exciting video of Adil Khalid's "scariest
day".