Engine Failure Forces ‘Spirit Of Bermuda’ Tow

January 19, 2016

[Updated] The sail training ship Spirit of Bermuda had to be towed this afternoon [Jan 19] after suffering engine failure and ripped sails, as well as an injury to a crew member on board.

A Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre spokesperson said, “At 2.26pm, the sail training ship Spirit of Bermuda contacted the Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre reporting that the vessel had suffered engine failure and ripped sails while under way in Murray’s Anchorage, now compounded by the injury to a crew member on board.

Spirit of Bermuda, with 28 persons on board, reported that the crew member had suffered injuries to his back and fingers and vessel was now in need of a tow into St. George’s Harbour.

“Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre immediately dispatched pilot boat St. George and tug Faithful to the scene while the casualty was immobilized on board pending further medical treatment. Pilot boat St. George arrived on scene a short while later with tug Faithful also on scene just after 4 pm.

“At 4.45pm, the tug Faithful reported that the Spirit of Bermuda was now under tow from Murray’s Anchorage to Dockyard, accompanied by pilot boat St. George and would be assisted by the Dragon once in proximity of Dockyard.”

Update 6.16pm: Bermuda Sloop Foundation CEO Diana Martin said, “This afternoon, during the course of a school voyage [near Murray's Anchorage], Spirit of Bermuda encountered a large wave and one of the crew has suffered injury to his hand and shoulder.

“He has been stabilised on board and will be taken to the hospital for treatment. All students, teachers and other crew on board are safe.

“In addition, the engine is not functioning fully, rendering the ship unable to motor to its destination in St. George’s. Thus, the tugboat has been dispatched to assist in towing her to back to Dockyard.”

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Category: Accidents and fires, All, News

Comments (20)

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  1. Toodle-oo says:

    Here’s hoping for a speedy , complete and comfortable recovery for the injured crew member.

    The entire Spirit of Bermuda operation is manned by caring and professional individuals who change young people’s lives on a daily basis and it’s a testimonial to the programme that they were out today in this awful weather continuing to do what they do best . Instill discipline , build character and spirit while providing structure at the same time.

    Lots of thanks to the crew of the Faithful and Pilot boat St George and let’s hope incidents like this remain few and far between .

  2. dsfsdaf says:

    who made the decision for kids to be out on the water in this weather?!

  3. swing voter says:

    and why were u bies under full sail in a SCW nearing gale force?

    • Billy Mays says:

      Nowhere does it say they were under “full sail”.

    • we know says:

      We wasn’t under full sail no mizzen trisal main reef in the forest and inner. That’s not full sail….

      • swing voter says:

        From the pics I saw, you guys had too much sail up.

        • Brains says:

          What’s pictures? When they where sailing on north shore I never saw them at full sail.

    • Person who knows a little says:

      Have you ever sailed?
      Are you a sailor?
      Have you ever sailed on the sloop?
      Do you know the capabilities for the sloop to sail in these conditions?

      My guess is the answer is no it at least the last one, because if you did you would know the sloop has no issue sailing under full sail in these conditions.

      • swing voter says:

        yes I am a sailor, I own a 40ft race cruiser…..and if the sloop has no issue sailing under full sail in these conditions, what the hell happened yesterday!

        With a full compliment of non-sailors onboard, I think someone’s ego ran far ahead of safety.

        • Pug says:

          slight difference in SIZE and RIG and probably crew QUALIFICATIONS??

        • Pug says:

          also large wave possibly broadside during a turning maneuver?

        • Brains says:

          It’s really sad that your a sailor and still call Spirit of Bermuda a sloop. Furthermore the crew are very skilled as they handled the situation really well considering the circumstances.

        • Person who knows a little says:

          Your a sailor and you really think freak accidents dont happen? Really? There is a massive difference between what your 40ft race cruiser can handle and what a boat of the spirits size can handle especially when it comes to heavy seas state.

      • Eyes Wide Open says:

        You don’t have to be a sailor or know the ins and outs of a sloop to understand that the weather was not suitable to take young, unexperienced school children out. The voyage should have been cancelled the day before. Period! Anybody with ears knew that the news reports were stating we were going to experiece gale force winds. Common sense really. My child would not have been on that sloop. Not in those conditions. Now the youngins’ have horrible and traumatic memories from their voyage on the “Spirit of Bermuda”.

  4. Truth is killin' me... says:

    That motor they got on that is for pooling around in inner harbors during calm weather. It probably got used as an emergency in 30knot winds and got wrecked after the sails got shredded!

  5. Guy who knows. says:

    Wow ignorance truely is bliss. People are quick to judge a boat they have never sailed before. Personally i gave been on before and that boat handles pretty well in conditions. In my opinion it was an unfortunate event and thanks to the skilled crew on board and the people at marine and ports they made it back safely.

    • swing voter says:

      I think you forget that most people here are familiar with north Atlantic winter weather…..sailor or not, what you call ignorance is really common sense, considering the weather forecast for the last 5 days…you want to emulate an arrogant captin Bligh and the Bounty, you’re welcome to it, WITHOUT my kid on board!

      • Person who knows a little says:

        Most people are familiar with north Atlantic winter weather when it pertains to the land. All they know is its windy, cold and rainy, i don’t wanna go outside so i don’t see why anyone else would. Common sense means absolutely nothing in this situation the crew on the vessel know the limitations of it a lot better than any random person on the street. Its very easy for someone to say, “it was obvious that something bad was gonna happen” after the fact despite them not knowing anything about them not knowing anything about it.

  6. Commodore JB says:

    Between Captain New, most ferry pilots and the Spirit Captain, the waters around Bermuda are more dangerous than The streets of Syria.