Monday 9 february 2009
Keel problem on Safran
This morning at 5h40 GMT, Thierry Brault, head of Marc Guillemot's shore team rang the Vendée Globe Race headquarter to inform of serious keel damage aboard Safran.
We can add that on 11th December, while Marc Guillemot was sailing at more than 20 knots towards the Kerguelen Islands, Safran had a violent collision with a sea mammal. This impact could well have led to the problem he is experiencing today. In fact, the keel on the monohull has worked loose in its box and has slid down a few centimetres.
Since he noticed this problem, Marc Guillemot has managed to secure his keel using ropes, linking the keel head to the mast and winch. The boat therefore reindexs watertight and stable, but this repair job is rather precarious.
Marc Guillemot has not requested any help for the moment. He is in good health and continuing on his way.
More information coming later in the day.
At 08h20 GMT, Safran was sailing at 24° 54.28 W 42° 4.00 N at 10 knots in heavy seas and with 30-35 knots of wind.
SAFRAN is an international high-technology group with leadership positions in its core businesses of aerospace propulsion, aircraft equipment, and defense security. The SAFRAN Group employs 57,000 people in over 30 countries and generates revenue of more than ? 10 billion. It comprises many companies with prestigious brand names and holds, alone or in partnership, global or European leadership positions in its markets. SAFRAN is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris and its share is included in the SBF 120 and Euronext 100 indices.
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