Mayday! Rescuer Boards Sinking Yacht

What began as a quick stop to watch Hamilton Island Race Week soon placed Ben Archer, his mate Ryder and Ryder’s partner Eva at the centre of a Mayday response.

After the Oyster 825 Viva La Vida struck a reef near Long Island, the trio rushed to assist as the yacht continued taking on water.

Seeing the situation worsening by the minute, Ben was faced with a daunting decision. Should he stay safe aboard his boat or climb aboard the stricken vessel to help?

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Mayday Sounds Across Race Week  

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On Friday 21st August during Hamilton Island race week, a boat began echoing a mayday after their vessel struck the reef and began taking on water fast.

It was the most dramatic moment of an already hectic fifth day of racing, as the American-led crew of the Oyster 825 Viva La Vida struck a reef and began taking on water, prompting them to sound the alarm.  

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“On Friday 21 August, during racing at Hamilton Island Race Week, the crew of Viva La Vida issued a Mayday call after striking a reef,” said the Hamilton Island race week team in a statement about the incident.  

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“Vessel traffic services were alerted and took control of the emergency response.

“The crew was supplied with a pump by Hamilton Island Marina but was unable to stop water entering the vessel.

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“All crew members were safely returned to Hamilton Island Marina."

Among those who rushed to help was fellow sailor Ben Archer, who was aboard a Riviera with his mate Ryder and Ryder’s partner Eva near the northern end of Long Island when the Mayday call came over the radio.

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The pair were delivering the Riviera from Coral Sea Marina back to its owner, when they stopped to watch the racing.  

As the fleet sailed past, a mayday call came over the radio. Realising Viva La Vida was nearby the trio immediately moved to assist.

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A nearby Hamilton Island barge arrived at about the same time carrying a diesel pump, which they helped transfer onto the Riviera and then across to Viva La Vida in the swell.

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With the yacht continuing to take on water, the crew attempted to start the pump but struggled to get it running, prompting Archer to climb aboard the stricken vessel and help.

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“They asked if I could get on board and help start the pump,” Ben said.

“I thought, ‘Am I really going to jump onto a sinking boat?’ But I said, ‘Righto, here we go.’”

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Despite the urgency of the situation, Archer said the atmosphere aboard was calmer than might be expected, even as the yacht eventually rolled onto its side and began to sink, taking the diesel pump with it.

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“I’d just got the pump going and thought we’re going to save it, and then the whole boat turned over,” Ben said.  

Once in the water, Ben climbed onto the back of the hull with two of the sailors, only to realise everyone had already abandoned ship and were on the boat with Ryder.  

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“I was thinking, ‘How did I end up on the sinking boat while everyone else is on the floating one?’” Ben said.

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The experience made for a memorable Race Week for the rescuers, with Ben saying it was a great team effort, and the crew was grateful for their assistance.  

“They were very thankful for all the assistance we could give them and definitely pretty happy to be aboard the Riviera afterwards,” Archer said.

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“Ryder did a great job driving the boat, while Eva and I transferred the pump through the vessel.”  

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