At approximately 10:20hrs GMT today, BT crew Sébastien Josse and Jean-François Cuzon who are racing in the IMOCA Open 60 class in the Transat Jacques Vabre two handed race from Le Havre to Costa Rica, activated their EPIRB distress beacon after having suffered major damage following a night battling it out in fierce seas and winds reaching 60 knots at times.
The skippers are in regular contact with Race Director Jean Maurel, and have reported significant damage to the coachroof, and water entering the boat.
The MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) are coordinating operations with the Transat Jacques Vabre Race Direction and the BT shore team, to ensure the safe recovery of the skippers.
MRCC Falmouth confirmed that the RCC Azores had sent a helicopter and a Navy vessel in the direction of BT, also emitting a satellite broadcast alert to shipping in the area.
BT was positioned 210 miles North of the Azores at position 42 10º N - 27 50º W.
UPDATE - 1618hrs
The commercial vessel MV Atlantic is within 16 miles of the yacht BT, crewed by Sébastien Josse and Jean-François Cuzon, which sent out a distress signal this morning. The MV Atlantic is unable to make best speed in the very bad conditions, with 8 metre waves and winds of 35 knots.
The rescue operation is being co-ordinated by MRCC Delgado which has also sent a Search & Rescue vessel to the scene. A fix wing P3 aircraft, of the Portuguese Navy, is en route and will remain on station pending the arrival of the MV Atlantic and during the subsequent evacuation operation.
BT was outside the 200 nm range of the Azores Puma 330 Rescue helicopter when the incident occurred, but is drifting into range and the Puma will take off if weather conditions and range permit. Meanwhile a long range Portuguese Air Force helicopter has left Madeira and will head for the scene after refuelling in the Azores. This helicopter is a MerlinEH101 that can operate at night and has extensive search and rescue equipment.
The yacht is still afloat and the two crew members remain on board awaiting rescue.