Tall ship sailors in rescue drama

The Tall Ships Youth Trust's Prince William helped a sinking ship

A team of trainee sailors abandoned their bid to win the Tall Ships Race to rescue the crew of a sinking vessel.

Force seven gales began tearing the mast from the 17-man Excelsior causing water to flood the decks.

The crew sent a mayday message which was picked up by the Prince William Tall Ship, off Aberdeen.

The ship, carrying 26 first-time sailors from Tyneside, rushed to its aid. But despite losing time they intend to rejoin the race in Norway.

Jo Wheeler, Tall Ships Race events manager, said the crew of the Prince William were more concerned about the stricken sailors than winning the race.

She said: "They were actually in fifth place when the distress call came through. The other ship's mast was coming off in high winds and everyone's priority was for the crew's safety.

"It was all pretty thrilling for everyone to be involved in a rescue and the incident has illustrated what the Tall Ships Race is all about, camaraderie not winning."

The ship was missing for three days. Photo: Sail Training Intl

The Prince William, with 67 on board, sent a crew in a speedboat to check on the welfare of the Excelsior's crew.

They also helped pump water off the 24m Lowestoft Smack boat. The Prince William is currently sailing alongside the Excelsior acting as a windbreaker on the journey to Fredrikstad in Norway.

It will then rejoin the race and time lost during the rescue will be taken into consideration.

Ms Wheeler added: "They will never totally make up for the lost time, but it was helping out fellow sailors that mattered to them."

Meanwhile a Polish ship, which had been missing since Saturday after leaving the River Tyne, has re-established contact with organisers of the Tall Ships Race.

The Smialy, a Polish boat in the Class C section, failed to make her last four calls en route to Norway.

Organisers Sail Training International said on Tuesday morning that the ship had been located off the island of Heligoland, near Germany.

The crew of three adults and five youths are said to be in "good shape".