Unexpected Valor: How Crew of Oyster Yacht 'Raven' Saved a Stranded Transatlantic Rower

The owner of the Oyster 82 sailing yacht ‘Raven’, Philippe Goossens, received a distress call on 27 December while in Cape Town, notifying him of a distress signal from a boat of the same name. Alerted to an unfolding emergency, the ‘Raven’ swiftly responded in spite of their upcoming participation in the Oyster World Rally and navigational concerns being over 70 nautical miles away from the source of the distress beacon.

Despite the growing distance and logistical challenges, such as refit works and limited fuel reserves, the ‘Raven’ crew recalibrated their direction towards the beacon. On the morning of 28 December, their gallant efforts culminated in the discovery of Rebecca Ferry, a 47-year-old British solo rower whose namesake boat had been adrift, following the critical malfunction of its steering system and solar panels.

The crew’s chief stewardess, Michelle Christie, documented the harrowing event as an incredibly emotional moment. At the helm, Captain Julien Orus braved rough waters to manoeuvre close enough to secure Ferry’s rowing boat, affectionately dubbed ‘Baby Raven’, for towing.

Thanks to the ‘Raven’ team’s focused effort, Ferry was returned safely to Cape Verde, sacrificing only two days of sea time. Despite the unplanned events and challenges faced at sea, Goossens refused a standard reimbursement for fuel expenses, further adding to the yarn spun of on-the-spot assistance and community spirit among seafarers.

In a surprising turn of events, Ferry is set to join the ‘Raven’ crew in their future Pacific crossing, adding an avant-garde twist to a profound partnership forged in the jaws of adversity. Truly, an inspiring and invigorating tale that encapsulates the unpredictability and potential for human connection on the open seas.