From my position on a cliff edge it was easy to see the wreck of SS Varvassi at low water, positioned just 200ft from the Needles lighthouse. The wreck was guarded at low water by the RNLI lifeboat from Yarmouth.
At low water yachts have to take a longer course around the Island, the wreck is in the position marked.
The inside passage is a risk but if you are racing one can save valuable time, unfortunately Alchemist hit it.
Alchemist is the second boat in foreground seen here hitting the wreck of SS Varvassi
The collision caused serious damage to the bow of the 30ft Ed Dubois half-tonner.
Within minutes the yacht was low at the bow as water came in, the mainsail was lowered and bailing out began.
Workout - a fellow competitor in the race lowered her sails and offered assistance.
Alchemist and Workout before she sank.
First on the scene was the Police launch Commander, a new high speed catamaran.
Police launch - Commander was the first rescue vessel on the scene.
Crew were transferred to the Police launch and a coastguard rib arrived.
The crew prepare to abandon Alchemist and transfer to the Police high speed catamaran, a coastguard rib is seen standing by.
The RNLI Atlantic rib from Mudeford guns the throttles and heads to the rescue scene at full speed, a wonderful sight given the conditions.
Some big seas, a strong Force 6, but not a problem for a RNLI Atlantic rib.
The Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat was in the area but on the Alum Bay side of the Needles.
The RNLI Yarmouth lifeboat speeds through the fleet to get to the stricken vessel.
Two crew members have transferred to the Police launch and two are transferred to the RNLI rib.
Crew members watch from Commander as their yacht Alchemist sinks.
Bows first Alchemist heads below the waves into 60 ft of water.
A rush of air from below escapes with a blast as she disappears.
The race continues.
A RNLI lifeboatman appears amongst the flotsam.
Fortunately all four crew were saved. The owner of the yacht Alchemist is distraught due to the loss of his beautiful wooden Ed Dubois designed half-tonner. Mark Wynter, Commodore of the Island Sailing Club had commissioned the boat to be built on the Island in 1977 and she is a well know vessel. The yacht was loaned to a skipper for the day when the accident happened. The SS Varvassi sank in 1947 and is one of the most well know wrecks in the Solent, the other being the Mary Rose which is now in Portsmouth Dockyard. To remove or blow up this wreck is considered too dangerous for the safety of the Needles and the Needles Lighthouse.