Men go down to the sea in boats

TRAGEDY ON ABN AMRO TWO

Hans Horrevoets a vastly experienced Dutch sailor was washed overboard from the deck of ABN Amro Two as they raced across the North Atlantic on their way to Portsmouth, UK, in the 7th leg of the Volvo Ocean Race.

The boat was sailing downwind in 25 – 30 knots of wind under mainsail, fractional spinnaker and staysail. Sebastien Josse, skipper of ABN Amro Two, was at the helm, Hans was trimming the spinnaker sheet, Nick Bice, Andrew Lewis and Lucas Brun were also on deck. A wave washed back down the deck and when the water cleared Hans was no longer on deck.

Immediately Sebastian hailed ‘man overboard’ and called everyone on deck to put in place our man overboard procedures and GPS positioning. The spinnaker was immediately dropped, the staysail furled and the starboard dagger board lowered. The engine was switched on and we
attempted to motor-sail back on a reciprocal course. Due to the strong headwinds it was decided we drop the main, and go under motor alone as it was difficult to maintain a direct course to the man overboard position.

“Once Hans was located, Simeon Tienpoint put on his dry-suit, harness and diving gear in order to assist in the recovery. Once back on board Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK was notified that we had a major medical emergency and asked to stand by. In the meantime Hans was moved downstairs. No pulse was found and after attempts at CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) it was CPR was stopped at 0420 UTC.”

32 Year old Horrevoets was married and his wife is pregnant with the couple’s second child.

The crew are no longer in racing mode but are making their way to Portsmouth as quickly as possible.

Crew members said sailing around the world was Horrevoets’ dream. He loved this race. It had been an ambition towards which he had strived since he was a boy. On his website he wrote, “As a child, I just had one goal in my life: sailing regattas! My biggest dream was sailing the Whitbread Round the World Race. Racing around the world on a W60 was my largest passion.”
“As a trimmer and a sail maker on board BrunelSunergy (Whitbread Round the World Race 1997-98) I sailed all legs. I was only 22 years old when the race began. This was an experience no one can ever take away from me!” To get that opportunity again this time round was, as he said, “Just magic.”

Such passion didn’t dwindle during 32 years of a life that ended so abruptly this morning. He was never anything less than enthusiastic and happy. Even when performances were bad he could be found laughing in the bar or with his family, friends and crew mates, for sailing to Hans was so much more than a job. It was, like it is for so many who make a living from this sport, far more enriching than that.

The race continues and as I write ABN AMRO ONE has led this leg arriving now in Plymouth.