SOC Latest News - Boat is back in St John's

Nadia Lehmann · 16 July 2002, 15:06

Hi all,
There will be an update posted but just to let you know that Steve Lloyd had a heart attack yesterday and had to be airlifted back to St John's.

the boat was halfway between St John's and Horta and Alan and Clive followed Steve back to Newfoundland where they will remain, and review their options.

Steve is in a stable position and is recovering in St John's Health Science Centre - where he will be over the next 5-7 days.

Please keep your eye on the website: www.spirit-of-cardiff.com
for the latest news.

Keep you fingers and toes crossed for Steve's speedy recovery and give the crew strength to get them through the latest events from the past 36 hrs.

For further information sned me an email or ring anytime:

+ 44 7802795583 -24 hrs

Mike B · 16 July 2002, 15:59

Sorry to hear the news.

I'm sure I'm not the only one whose thoughts are with Steve and the rest of the team.

Pass on best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I'm sure you will keep us upto date with developments.

Mike

Keith Hart · 16 July 2002, 18:47

Hi

I've just checked the SoC website (19.45 hours - 16/07/02) and there is no mention of Steve's heart attack. Anyone got any more news?

Keith Hart

John Kennett · 16 July 2002, 19:02

No more news about Steve's condition yet, but there are some pictures of the helicopter on the Spirit of Cardiff journal now to prove that it's not a wind up!

John

Alan · 16 July 2002, 21:05

Got a phone call from Nadia earlier today - Steve is in a stable condition but will be in hospital for 5-6 days. Crazy Canadian's (who is from St Johns) family has been mobilised to assist the lads as neccessary!

Impressive pics on the SoC website and a sobering thought about the logistics of the rescue. Thoughts go out to Steve and Alan & Clive.

Alan

sirzap · 16 July 2002, 21:42

For the the update...and thanks to the people that respond to emergencies far out at sea. Best wishes for Steve and crew from the States...

narked · 16 July 2002, 22:03

It's good to know that there are people all over the world prepared to go to such lengths and expenses to help people in trouble at sea. So definately a big round of applause for coast guards worldwide, and especially the canadians in this particular case. If it wasnt for dedicated people like these, this could have turned out much worse, and travel by sea would be too risky.

Good to hear that the SoC crew are doing well, keep going lads!

Andy.R · 22 July 2002, 12:30

Just got back from Heathrow and can confirm the guys are all back ok.
Clive, Nadia and a few others from Cardiff came to meet then (with various family members and friends)and Alan & Steve both staggered in through the Arrivals gate pushing trolleys loaded with luggage!!!! I will try and load some pictures onto later if I can get my laptop to talk to the camera.
Well done guys, glad to see you return and am really looking forward to meeting you again in Cardiff later in the year in that big yellow thing you called home for 4 months.
All the best.
Andy.

Keith Hart · 24 July 2002, 10:10

Well.....that it then. All over now.

Well at least as far as the world record is concerned, now they just have to get the boat back!

Well done all of you. You had the bottle to have a go. You tried damn hard.

Right, so when in the video going to be released?

You know when I think about it, it's a good job that you did have so many problems lads. Can you imagine what the book and video would have been like if it had all gone swimmingly well?

"Left Cardiff. Went around the world. Arrived back at Cardiff." Boooooring.

Keith Hart

sunrider · 24 July 2002, 13:18

Congratulations to Alan and crew for handling these emergencies and challenges so well. And let's not forget that the circumnavigation is really already complete. Disregarding the speed record challenge, the SOC completed a circumnavigation when arriving in Nova Scotia - their eventual return to the UK will technically be a repeat voyage. Well done!

John Kennett · 24 July 2002, 19:20

Something else to bear in mind is that although the total time taken for the voyage will be rather greater than originally hoped, the clock is still running for the under 50' class record!

When Alan and crew bring Spirit back home in a few weeks time, they will still have set a record that will be far from trivial to beat!

John