Coast Guard Brings Injured Sailors Safely to Shore

Updated Tuesday, April 3, with arrival of the Geraldton in Oakland and more on injured sailors; scroll down to see the update below the main story.

Two injured sailors who were part of an around-the-world race were brought safely to shore Monday as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf arrived in Alameda. The Alameda Fire Department was on hand to transfer the injured pair to a local hospital by ambulance.

The crew members, a 67-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman who were aboard the Geraldton, were transferred from their storm-damaged yacht Sunday to the Berrtolf some 250 miles offshore.

The yacht got caught in stormy seas during a race from China to San Francisco on Saturday. but they needed more time to reach the injured sailors on the Geraldton Western Australia due to continued stormy weather.

The Geraldton, a 68-foot yacht competing in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, was struck by a wave Saturday morning that swept away its steering mounting and wheel and some of its communications equipment, according to race officials. The race, which began last July in England, will finish July 22.

The Bertholf is based at Alameda's Coast Guard Island.

Bay City News Service contributed to this article.

UPDATE, April 3:

Bay City News Service--The Geraldton Western Australia passed safely beneath the Golden Gate Bridge early Tuesday morning, and all crew members have reached shore, a race spokeswoman said.

The 68-foot yacht competing in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race, sailed into the San Francisco Bay at about 3:30 a.m. using partial motor power and an emergency steering system, spokeswoman DeeDee Taft said.

The 11 crew members still on board were "ecstatic" to pass under the bridge and reach the end of the sixth leg of the eight-leg race, and were glad to reach land, Taft said.

"Needless to say, they were happy to get off that boat," Taft said. The yacht and its crew were met by more than 50 fellow sailors and well-wishers who stayed up to welcome the damaged vessel to port at Jack London Square in Oakland.

The Geraldton will undergo repairs before the start of the next leg of the race on April 14, Taft said.

Two injured crew members, Jane Hitchins, 50, and Nik Brbora, 29, who arrived in Oakland on Monday afternoon after being transferred at sea to the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Bertholf on Sunday, were taken at Highland Hospital in Oakland, Taft said. It has not been decided if they will return to work on the Geraldton when it departs in 10 days.

The Geraldton was heavily damaged on Saturday when it was pummeled by a large wave in a storm about 400 miles off the California Coast. The wave swept away the ship's steering wheel and mounting along with some of its communications equipment, according to race officials.

The Geraldton, one of 10 yachts competing in the 40,000-mile race, is currently in 10th place. All 10 yachts will be on public display as part of the Strictly Sail Pacific boat show, which will be held at Jack London Square from April 12 to April 15.