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Crew rescued from stricken yacht Crew rescued from stricken yacht
(40 minutes later)
Thirteen crew members have been rescued from a flooded racing yacht in the North Sea, said an RAF rescue centre.Thirteen crew members have been rescued from a flooded racing yacht in the North Sea, said an RAF rescue centre.
The 60ft (18m) Clyde Challenger made an emergency call 125 miles (201km) off the coast around 2200 BST on Saturday.The 60ft (18m) Clyde Challenger made an emergency call 125 miles (201km) off the coast around 2200 BST on Saturday.
The crew - believed to be aged between 15 and 25 - were picked up from their yacht by another racing vessel. They were taking part in a Tall Ships race.The crew - believed to be aged between 15 and 25 - were picked up from their yacht by another racing vessel. They were taking part in a Tall Ships race.
An RAF rescue Sea King helicopter was scrambled from Boulmer along with a Norwegian helicopter, then stood down.An RAF rescue Sea King helicopter was scrambled from Boulmer along with a Norwegian helicopter, then stood down.
'Safe and well''Safe and well'
The Clyde Challenger crew include eight apprentices from Glasgow construction firm City Building, as well as their two trainers and three professional crew.The Clyde Challenger crew include eight apprentices from Glasgow construction firm City Building, as well as their two trainers and three professional crew.
They are on board a Norwegian coastguard vessel which is towing the stricken yacht, and heading for the Dutch port of Den Helder.They are on board a Norwegian coastguard vessel which is towing the stricken yacht, and heading for the Dutch port of Den Helder.
RAF spokesman on the rescue operation Map shows approximate locations of the flooded yacht and Ekofisk oil field
After the emergency call went out the the RAF rescue Sea King helicopter was scrambled from Boulmer, north east England, and a helicopter deployed from the Ekofisk oil field in the Norwegian part of the North Sea.
Humber Coastguard requested help from all shipping in the area.
Michael Mulford of the Rescue Co-ordination Centre at RAF Kinloss said all crew had been rescued safely by another ship, Loyal.Michael Mulford of the Rescue Co-ordination Centre at RAF Kinloss said all crew had been rescued safely by another ship, Loyal.
He said: "They have said that they have taken off all 13 and they are all safe and well.He said: "They have said that they have taken off all 13 and they are all safe and well.
"It's good that this has ended happily because 125 miles out in the North Sea in the dark - it's not what you want by way of a ship flooding as you are an awful long way from help.""It's good that this has ended happily because 125 miles out in the North Sea in the dark - it's not what you want by way of a ship flooding as you are an awful long way from help."
RAF spokesman on the rescue operation
The Clyde Challenger was renamed in 2006 following a major refit to turn it into a youth sail training vessel, and is owned by the Clyde Sailing Trust.The Clyde Challenger was renamed in 2006 following a major refit to turn it into a youth sail training vessel, and is owned by the Clyde Sailing Trust.
Jim Smith, of the trust, said the ship's flooding was believed to have been caused by a fractured pipe in the engine compartment. The water was confined to the galley.Jim Smith, of the trust, said the ship's flooding was believed to have been caused by a fractured pipe in the engine compartment. The water was confined to the galley.
The Norwegian Coastguard cutter Andenes, which is also the race control vessel, sent divers to assess the damage.The Norwegian Coastguard cutter Andenes, which is also the race control vessel, sent divers to assess the damage.
The Tall Ships races are held every summer in European waters, with between 70 and 100 vessels from up to 20 countries taking part in the four-day events.The Tall Ships races are held every summer in European waters, with between 70 and 100 vessels from up to 20 countries taking part in the four-day events.
The ships are crewed by up to 6,000 young people from more than 30 countries.The ships are crewed by up to 6,000 young people from more than 30 countries.