While delivering s/v Kingdom of Bahrain from Bahrain to Dubai, the racing yacht possibly drifted into Iranian waters and the professional delivery crew were taken into custody on November 25th by the Iranian Navy.  This developing story broke late last night and the details are still being released.

The yacht is an Open 60 built in 2007 and raced in the Volvo Ocean Race and the Vendée Globe. Team Pindar, the owners, are a partner in Sail Bahrain which is a two boat project to bring world-class racing to the Arab country.

The yacht was en route for the start of the Dubai-Muscat Offshore Sailing Race.  There were problems with the propeller and becalmed conditions leaving the crew without a means of steerage or propulsion.

The situation is politically complex with many Western nations, including Britain, at odds with Iran about it’s nuclear development.  The America’s Cup race is also involved because of a challenge to venue for upcoming series.  The Swiss defender, Alinghi, had proposed Ras-Al-Kaimeh as the site and the American challenger, Oracle protested based on the unstable political climate of the region.  This currently being decided in a New York courtroom

Please join in sending good thoughts to Olly Smith, the delivery skipper and the rest of the crew, Sam Usher, Luke Porter, Oliver Young and David Bloomer to stay safe and have a speedy release.

Soundtrack to post:  Release Me

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