Sail ship Loyal rescued after sails shredded in storm

The Norwegian tall ship Loyal was towed to safety in Skagen harbour on Monday evening after its sails were torn to pieces by strong winds, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

Skagen lifeboat station deployed two vessels at 21:45 to bring the stricken ship through heavy waves. Despite the wind catching the remnants of the rigging, the crew managed to secure the ship in port.

The crew are unharmed and working to repair the sails, according to Søren Thorst, event manager for Aalborg Municipality. He expects the ship to reach Aalborg later today or tomorrow.

Other vessels in the international Tall Ships Races have also faced severe conditions. On the Dutch ship Wylde Swan, Thorst said, “There isn’t a single person who hasn’t been sick more than ten times—it’s been a rough trip for them.”

Polish crew member Alex Szymankiewicz of the Fryderyk Chopin was knocked over by a wave and is now on crutches with a foot injury. She described the conditions as difficult but exciting, with high waves and strong winds soaking the deck.

A Polish ship remains stranded near Læsø with engine and steering failures, while the Aalborg-based Loa has withdrawn from the race due to safety concerns for its crew.

Thorst, who has helped organise the event for years, called this year’s conditions unprecedented. “We’ve never experienced anything like this before,” he said. Another ship is reported to have engine trouble near Hals Barre.