As you can see from the above picture of all the crew touching the ground of Australia, Mark has been successfully taken ashore at Portland to receive hospital treatment. Pete, Andy and Eliot then left Portland at 1800hrs and Pete emailed saying that they have a soldiers wind at the moment so good progress is being had.
No ETA can yet be confirmed as to when Spirit of Mystery will arrive in Melbourne, if the wind goes SE before the crew make the turn at Cape Otway then it will slow them right down. Pete wrote: "We are so chuffed to get Mark all the way to Australia under their own steam and hope that he can be put on the boat by rib so that we all come in to the yacht club together." Pete finished off by saying that they were all very tired and that they hope to catch up a bit tonight, and he will try and find time for a blog tomorrow.

Keep reading the blog for the ETA of Spirit of Mystery's long awaited arrival.

I have just spoken to Pete and he is making his way into Porltand. All are in good spirits and paramedics are on board looking after Mark. Mark's wife Gina is now with us in Australia and will be catching up with Mark, when he is ashore, although they hope to speak on the phone shortly. In the mean time Pete has asked me to put this blog up for you all. Cheers, Stu.

Its feels like a lifetime since I have done a blog for things have been a real handful since we were caught up in what turned out to be 'the' storm of the trip; It just had to be the last one didn't it. As you will know we were struck by a huge wave on the starboard quarter which slammed poor old Spirit of Mystery well beyond ninety degree's. In doing so Mark's right leg was broken between the knee and ankle. Additional damage to the boat included the loss of Life raft, Dinghy and Man overboard equipment. Lots of other bits and bobs were torn from the boat and swept away. There was some damage to the Bulwark planking and where lashing points were ripped apart with what was shocking force there is exposed wood, screws and bolts. All primary structure is sound including the rudder and spars and I am left grateful that we were on Spirit of Mystery when it happened for any other boat would have been crippled. Below was absolute chaos with the port side of the boat up to and beyond the deckhead awash due to a huge amount of water below. Equipment was everywhere despite having the boat all strapped down for the storm.

I will do a proper blog/article on the storm in a couple of days once I find the time for we have not stopped since it happened. I guess the best we have been managing is about three hours sleep every twenty four so we have been stretched. As a crew we have all risen to the challenge and I feel immense pride in what has been achieved through fantastic teamwork and attitude. Mark has been an inspiration in the way he has handled the appalling consequences of his injury and the long drawn out aftermath which will start to draw to a conclusion once we get him ashore tomorrow. Imagine being in a storm on a small yacht with a wild and unpredictable motion and having to get below with the lower half of your leg flopping about, bones grinding away just to make sure you know things are not right. Below can offer but little comfort as it is flooded and the storm is not by any means over. I can tell you it takes great courage and fortitude and in witnessing it we have all been humbled.

His leg has been the centre of our world for the last handful of days as we try to get him ashore as soon as possible. Eliot and Andy have been outstanding in supporting Mark and getting our little world back towards some kind of order. We still have a lot to do but as of today feel we are getting on top of things and starting to be proactive rather than reactive. Marks leg has been more than the centre for our world for it has radiated out to the Australian rescue services and to Dr Spike Briggs of 'Medical Support Offshore Ltd' who are covering our medical backup. I just can't tell you how fantastic they have been both in the spirit and professionalism that has been demonstrated.


One of our problems has been damage to our communications making information flow challenging. We have had two planes overfly us, the last making a drop of extra morphine to manage the pain and a satellite phone for communications. The drops were an outstanding piece of flying, three canisters all landing within a 100 metres of the bow. At the moment Mark is in his berth with his leg stabilized to the point we are happy to stand down a helicopter extraction. We are motor sailing towards Portland which just under 100NM away and will be met by a Coast Guard Launch at dawn with a paramedic on board. If conditions allow we may transfer Mark there otherwise we take him into Portland ourselves.

Spirits are as high as they have ever been on this trip although we are desperately upset to be losing Mark at this stage of the voyage. Mark has no option but to put a brave face on things but it is tough after so much effort over the last year and half as we have worked towards our goal of reaching Melbourne. This trip was inspired by seven Cornishmen who set sail in 1854 for a better life in Australia. It remains the same, that is our focus, if anything we are even more inspired and will keep pushing on in the hope that Mark will be able to meet us on the dock in Melbourne with a pasty and pint.

I am sorry not to have been able to give you the blogs that I would have wanted too but trust you understand the situation we have been labouring under. Mandy tells us that many of you have sent in messages of support I have to say it means an awful lot to us. I look forward to writing a proper blog on the experience and all those that supported us in our time of need so selflessly.

Pete has emailed me and said that things are finally settling down on board. He hopes to continue with his blogs from tonight, but until then please find the latest news update below. The picture was taken by the Australian Rescue services - credit AeroRescue Essendon. Thanks for all your help, support and good wishes. Cheers, Stuart.

SPIRIT OF MYSTERY NEWS UPDATE 0100 GMT 060309

This is a news update concerning the ongoing situation with the Spirit of Mystery, which was knocked over by a large wave at about 23.30 hours GMT on Tuesday 3rd March (0930 hours boat time Wednesday 4th March) about 300 Nautical Miles South South-West of Kangaroo Island off Adelaide, South Australia.

Spirit of Mystery is currently making her way towards Portland on the South Coast of Australia. It has been decided not to attempt a helicopter transfer of the casualty, Mark Maidment, for two reasons: Firstly, Mark's condition is stable and comfortable; and secondly, helicopter transfers carry their own risks, especially in rolling seas. Usually a casualty would be transferred to a life raft and towed behind the vessel, from which a helicopter can winch the crewman to safety. However, the life raft has been lost in the knock down that caused the injury and damage.

Responsibility for the operation has been handed back from AMSA to the Victoria Police Rescue Coordination Centre. The intention is for Spirit of Mystery to continue towards Portland where Mark will be taken off the vessel and receive medical attention to his broken leg.

It is the crew's intention to continue towards Melbourne where they hope to arrive on Tuesday 10th March. Mark (44 years old and a serving Police Officer in the UK) has made it clear he wants the crew to finish their voyage.

Pete Goss (47) is the skipper of the boat that is re-enacting (with his crew comprising of his younger brother Andy (40), Pete's son Eliot (14) and brother in law Mark Maidment) the journey of seven Cornishmen who made the journey from Cornwall in the UK to Williamstown, Victoria to seek out a new life in the gold fields of Victoria 154 years ago. Pete is no stranger to the dangers of the Southern Ocean - he was awarded the MBE and Legion D'Honneur following his dramatic single-handed rescue of fellow competitor Raphael Dinelli in the 1996/7 Vendee Globe race.

Pete said: "It is a great shame that Mark is unable to complete the voyage with us and we will miss him terribly the moment he is taken off the boat. But it is his wish that we continue to Melbourne, where we hope to see as many boats as possible come out to guide us in to Williamstown."

Mark is determined to be fit and able enough to be there himself to greet his fellow crew members.

People can follow events as they unfold on the project website: www.petegoss.com, which features a daily blog, satellite tracking system and regular news updates. Members of the public are welcome to come down to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club to meet the crew and further details will be posted on the website in due course.

Members of the public can hear all about the adventures of the crew at a Talisker Tales event on Thursday 19th March 2009 at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. Details are available on the website.

Ends - Dated 060903

Stuart Elford
stuartelford@btinternet.com
0410 231145

SPIRIT OF MYSTERY NEWS UPDATE - 0600 GMT Thursday 5th March 2009

This is a news update concerning the ongoing situation with the Spirit of Mystery, which was knocked over by a large wave at about 23.30 hours GMT on Tuesday 3rd March (0930 hours boat time Wednesday 4th March) about 300 Nautical Miles South South-West of Kangaroo Island off Adelaide, South Australia.

At about 2300 hours GMT on Wednesday 4th March the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) flew out to the vessel for a second time in a fixed wing Dornier aircraft. Doctors have been able to assess the condition of the injured crewman, Mark Maidment, and are satisfied that he is comfortable and stable. The aircraft was able to drop further medical supplies to the boat and a satellite telephone.

AMSA, doctors and the crew have made the decision to evacuate Mark by helicopter at the earliest possible opportunity. As such, Spirit of Mystery is making her way to within helicopter range (about 120 nautical miles from Portland, South Australia) and should arrive there sometime around 2300-0000 hours GMT on Thursday 5th March (1000-1100 hours local time). AMSA is continuing to coordinate communications and the medical evacuation.

The support team for Spirit of Mystery were able to speak briefly with skipper Pete Goss at 1300 hours local time today. Pete said: "We had just come out of a storm that had lasted for two and a half days and given us a right old pasting when we were hit by a freak wave. There was no warning, just a huge wall of water that smashed into the boat rolling her more than 90 degrees onto her side. There was carnage below with water everywhere, which got into the communications systems. The boat was fantastic though and I wouldn't have wanted to be in any other. She just shook herself off and came upright; but when she did, Mark's leg was broken."

The freak wave washed away the liferaft and dinghy and caused minor damage on deck, although the rig and structure are sound. The crew are all exhausted having had just a couple of hours sleep in the last two days, but they are in good spirits. Mark has had a shave, a change of underwear and is now lying down doing Sudoku puzzles. He has even been able to send a comforting message to his wife, Gina.

Pete added: "Mark has been a bloody hero. It is a great shame for him, especially so close to the end, but he is keen not to draw attention away from the project, which is about shining a light on the bravery of those seven Cornishmen who made this perilous journey 154 years ago to seek a new life in the Victorian gold fields of Australia. They didn't have the benefit of modern communications and safety equipment, so this just goes to emphasise the depth of their achievement."

Pete, Mark and the team will offer their full thanks to all involved in due course, but want to mention the Australian rescue services, including AMSA and the Victorian Water Police, whose response and professionalism has been fantastic.

Once Mark has been taken from the vessel, it is the crew's intention to continue as planned to Melbourne, where they are due to arrive sometime on the 9th or 10th March.

Further news will be given as and when it becomes available via the team's website: www.petegoss.com.

ENDS - 1930 GMT 04/03/09