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Fastnet Race 1979
In the 1979 Fastnet sailing race 15 people died, many more were rescued.
The Fleet Air Arm play a vital role in search and rescue operations at sea. In Aug 1979 they flew into action when the 605 mile Fastnet Yacht Race turned into a disaster. Unexpected weather conditions made the seas deadly and over 140 people were rescued. Use the links below to find out more.
Article Highlights:
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The Fastnet: a classic offshore yacht race
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Weather deteriorates: Why did disaster strike?
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Rescue services: Role of Fleet Air Arm
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Survivors rescued: 75 people rescued in one day.
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Extra help needed: 17 yachts are in serious distress.
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The final days: 15 people were lost at sea in just 3 days.
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Lessons learnt: What had to change
To find out more about the Fastnet Race, select Next
