round the world yachts auckland

Burgeoning Kiwi legends Peter Burling and Blair Tuke competed in the last edition of the race on separate teams. Fresh off an America’s Cup win in Bermuda with Emirates Team New Zealand, the pair became rivals for the first time, with each looking to become the first sailor in history to claim the ‘triple crown’ with wins in the Olympics, America’s Cup and The Ocean Race. But both would have to settle for a podium position with their respective teams, leaving for unfinished business with The Ocean Race.

Now juggling renewed America’s Cup commitments with a campaign to defend their gold medal in the 49er class at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Burling and Tuke expressed enthusiasm about Auckland again hosting The Ocean Race in 2021-22.

“For both Blair and myself, participating in the last edition of The Ocean Race was a life-changing experience,” Burling said. 

“Racing offshore improved us as sailors and allowed us to experience the natural world in a way we hadn’t before. Our time in the Southern Ocean was one of the things that inspired us to create our new foundation, Live Ocean, which is dedicated to protecting and restoring our oceans, something we know The Ocean Race backs strongly as well. 

“It’s fantastic to hear The Ocean Race will be returning to Auckland for the next edition, following on from the America’s Cup. Although the Cup and the Olympics are our immediate priorities, both Blair and I would love to be involved in the race again.”

The Ocean Race stopover in 2021-22 will be located along the Viaduct Basin with the exact location and facilities to be defined following the America’s Cup in 2021. 

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff welcomed the announcement.   “Auckland is a world-class sailing destination, and the city comes alive each time the yachts visit here,” he said. “And having Bianca Cook confirm her participation as New Zealand’s first female skipper of this race is an added bonus.   “Investment by Auckland Council through Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) helps shine the spotlight on our region’s ability to host events of this magnitude. The last time we hosted an Ocean Race stopover we had nearly 500,000 visitors to the village hub, creating a huge sense of vibrancy.   “The $6 billion local and central government investment in the transformation of Auckland’s city centre, and the construction of a new waterfront precinct for the 36th America’s Cup, will create a lasting legacy for Auckland and help us fulfil our role as New Zealand’s international city.   “This visit will complete an incredible year of international events for Auckland,” he concluded.

Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford said the Government is proud to support the 2021-22 edition of The Ocean Race given New Zealand’s longstanding history with the event.  

“The stopover presents a fantastic opportunity to bring the New Zealand public back down to Auckland’s waterfront in support of the event, in the area developed for the 36th America’s Cup. We are also delighted that a New Zealand team will be skippered by a female, as increasing women’s participation in sport and active recreation is a priority for us.” 

The Ocean Race is scheduled to start from its home port in Alicante, Spain in Q4 of 2021 and finish in Genoa, Italy in June of 2022. Auckland, New Zealand joins Cape Town, South Africa; Itajaí, Brazil, Aarhus, Denmark and The Hague in The Netherlands as confirmed Host Cities, along with Cabo Verde, which will be the first West African stop in the history of the Race. 

Send your media queries to  [email protected] .

Published on December 12th, 2023 | by Assoc Editor

Ocean Globe Race: Roaring into Auckland

Published on December 12th, 2023 by Assoc Editor -->

The Italian Swan 65 Translated 9, skippered by Vittorio Malingri, crossed the finish line on December 12 to take first in line honors, provisional IRC and Flyer Class in the 2023-24 Ocean Globe Race. The second leg of the race began on November 5 for the 7250nm course to Auckland, New Zealand.

This will herald their second IRC win, having taken the title in the Leg One race, Southampton to Cape Town. The ten-strong crew were determined to retain the prestigious title in the Cape Town to Auckland leg and their dogged determination paid off.

“We went south, you have to go south, that is how you sail around the world,” said Malingri. “Some days in the fog it was one degree, four degrees. We didn’t see the sun for two weeks! But we are so happy to be here. New Zealand is an amazing country.”

Vittiorio, whose father Franco, and uncle, Doi, took part in the first Whitbread Round the World Race in 1973. And now his son Nico, is the first mate on board Translated 9.

“It feels so good to be here,” noted Nico Malingri. “It feels just amazing. It was a technical leg and we didn’t have any big storms so we managed to push at the right time and keep cool when it was necessary. The crew performed amazingly.”

The OGR, a race celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Whitbread Round the World Race, means Translated 9’s triumphant return to Auckland is particularly poignant. The yacht and her crew have deep historical connections to the Whitbread and Auckland. In 1977, she sailed into the city under the name ADC Accutrac, skippered by Claire Francis, the first woman to skipper a Whitbread yacht.

“It was a very mild Indian Ocean,” observed Translated 9 navigator Simon Curwen. “Loads of high pressures, no big systems, not too much damage. We’re short a spinnaker pole that folded in half, but apart from that we’re in pretty good shape.”

Translated 9 took the most southerly route of the fleet only being forced north to round the third-way point enroute from Cape Town. They battled with Pen Duick VI throughout the leg with things getting particularly interesting when Pen Duick VI, skippered by Marie Tabarly, took the controversial decision to sail through the Bass Strait between Tasmania and Australia.

For a while, it looked like the gamble might have paid off but Translated 9’s position continued to offer the better winds, aiding her perfectly around the often difficult Cape Reinga. It’s notorious for producing some surprises for rounding the North Island but not so on this occasion.

Translated 9’s finish was followed by Pen Duick VI, Spirit of Helsinki, and Maiden.

The third leg will start January 14, taking the fleet 4980 nm to Punta del Este, Uruguay.

Event information – Race rules – Entry list – Tracker

No longer racing: • Swan 51 Godspeed (USA) – quit after Leg 1

The 2023-24 Ocean Globe Race (OGR) is a fully crewed, retro race, in the spirit of the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race, marking the 50th Anniversary of the original event. Racing without computers, GPS, and high-tech materials, they navigate with sextants and paper charts. Seven of the fleet are former Whitbread competitors.

Starting in Southampton (UK) on September 10, the OGR is a 27,000-mile sprint around the Globe, divided into four legs that passes south of the three great Capes. The fleet is divided in three classes with stop-overs in Cape Town, South Africa; Auckland, New Zealand; and Punta del Este, Uruguay before returning to Southhampton in April 2024.

2023-24 Ocean Globe Race: FIRST LEG: Start 10 September 2023. 7670 miles. First boats finish 9-21 October 2023. SECOND LEG: Start 5 November 2023. 7250 miles. First boats finish 14-23 December 2023. THIRD LEG: Start 14 January 2024. 4980 miles. First boats finish 9-18 February 2024. FOURTH LEG: Start 5 March. 6550 miles. Finish 1-10 April 2024.

Source: OGR

Tags: Ocean Globe Race

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Back to the future: Ocean global race comes to Auckland

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Translated 9 sailing into Auckland. Photo / Michael Craig

Tamaki Makaurau welcomed the first of 14 yachts competing in the Ocean Global Race (OGR) with Italian entrant Translated 9 crossing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron finish line of leg 2 at lunchtime.

The event celebrates 50 years since the first Whitbread Round the World yacht race using technology and yachts employed in those early days.

The crew have just paper charts and sextants to calculate their routes and books and cassette tapes to pass the many hours at sea between stops.

GPS, iPhones and computers are banned as are the latest developments in yacht racing technology with the likes of foils, daggerboards, canting keels and wing sails eschewed for good old fashioned nylon sails, ropes and heavy keels.

And the sailors themselves are described as ordinary rather than the professionals employed since the competition graduated to the Volvo Ocean Race in the early 1990s.

The youngest sailor, 17-year-old Ryder Ellis of Auckland, is on board the yacht Explorer sailing near the back of the fleet.

“I’ve been sailing since I was a little boy,” Ellis said before the yachts left Southampton in September. “My grandma Penny Whiting has run her sailing school for many years and taught thousands of people to sail. My father Carl has been in America’s Cup campaigns and done all sorts of sailing so I’ve always been around sailors and sailing.”

Bringing the event to Auckland is special for the crews, organisers and observers honouring the memory of Sir Peter Blake, one of the greatest sailors to take part in the Whitbread racing. Blake competed in five Whitbreads, skippering Lion New Zealand to second place in 1985, then winning every leg of the 1989 event skippering Steinlager II. Both of Blake’s former yachts sailed alongside Translated 9 as she powered into the Waitemata Harbour.

Don McIntyre, founder of the OGR, said he wanted to recreate that feeling, where “ordinary” sailors could experience that special adventure.

“To sail into Auckland on the 50th anniversary of the Whitbread with the support of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and a fleet of exciting yachts as they were 50 years ago is a dream come true for the 200 sailors, partners and supporters involved,” McIntyre said. “We know Auckland and our hosts the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will turn on something special as they always have.”

Chris Simpson, Head of Major Events at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited said that Auckland is considered the spiritual home of the Ocean Globe Race and the region has a strong connection with this event. “It’s a thrill to be able to host the sailors and their teams for the race’s significant anniversary on the Waitematā,” he said, “and we encourage Aucklanders and visitors to get down to the Wynyard Quarter and enjoy the stopover.”

The Ocean Global Race yachts will be at the Wynyard quarter they leave for Punta Del Este in Uruguay on January 14. See more at oceangloberace.com

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Ocean Globe Race: Translated 9 takes Leg 2

• Katy Stickland
• December 12, 2023

The Italian Ocean Globe Race team, Translated 9, have done it again and taken the top spot in Leg 2 of the retro round the world yacht race

Translated 9 has won Leg 2 of the Ocean Globe Race with a corrected elapsed time of 41 days, 7 hours, 50 minutes and 22 seconds. Credit: Aïda Valceanu/Ocean Globe Race Credit: Aïda Valceanu

Translated 9 has taken line honours on Leg 2 of the retro Ocean Globe Race .

The Italian team, which is racing aboard the Swan 65, crossed the line at Auckland, New Zealand with a corrected elapsed time of 41 days, 7 hours, 50 minutes and 22 seconds, having crossed the start line off Cape Town, South Africa on 3 November 2023.

It wasn’t an easy finish though; the yacht ran aground 150m before the finish line, but the crew managed to start sailing again after a few minutes.

The crew celebrate their win. Leg 3 of the Ocean Globe Race will start on 14 January 2024. Credit: Aïda Valceanu/Ocean Globe Race

Translated 9 took first place in the IRC ranking for Leg 1 from Southampton to Cape Town.

Provisionally, the team has also taken first in the IRC rankings for Leg 2, although the French team, Triana could take this honour if the crew arrives in Auckland by Thursday; Triana is currently 527nm from the finish line and is expected to arrive early Friday morning.

The next arrivals in New Zealand are expected to be the French 73ft Bermudan ketch, Pen Duick VI , which has just 17nm to go, and the Finnish crew of the Swan 651 sloop, Spirit of Helsinki , which is 15nm behind Pen Duick VI .

Continues below…

Ocean Globe Race 2023: everything you need to know

The Ocean Globe Race will see 14 boats and their crews circumnavigating the world without the use of modern equipment,…

Ocean Globe Race: Translated 9 wins leg one

The crew of the Swan 65, Translated 9 have won the first leg of the Ocean Globe Race, arriving in…

Leg 2 of the Ocean Globe Race begins

11 teams have crossed the start line of Leg 2 of the Ocean Globe Race, with the remaining three yachts…

And then there were 13..Godspeed retires from Ocean Globe Race

Skeleton Crew, the only American team in the 2023 Ocean Globe Race, have announced they are retiring from the event…

Spirit of Helsinki took first place in the IRC rankings for Leg 1.

On arrival in Auckland, Translated 9 was welcomed by two of Sir Peter’s Blake’s Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race boats, Lion New Zealand and Steinlager 2 . Sir Peter won the 1989-90 Whitbread aboard Steinlager 2 after the team won all six legs of the race – the only time a Whitbread team has completed this feat.

Sir Peter Blake’s Whitbread winning Steinlager 2 sails alongside Translated 9. Credit: Ocean Globe Race

The Swan 65, which was raced by Clare Frances in the 1977 Whitbread Race as ADC Accutrac , is co-skippered by Vendée Globe veteran, Vittorio Malingri , Vittorio’s son, Nico is First Mate.

“It feels so good. It was a long leg and pretty tricky but it is like a dream come true because it was a technical one [leg] and we were lucky not to have very big, big storms and a lot of high pressure and we managed to push when it was the time and keep cool when we had to. The crew performed amazingly,” said Nico.

Vittorio Malingri added: “We are now looking forward to having fun, drinking beers and taking a rest.”

Unlike Pen Duick VI which took the northerly route approaching Australia, sailing through the Bass Strait between Tasmania and Australia, Translated 9 took the traditional route, keeping Tasmania to port, a tactic which has paid off.

All of the remaining Ocean Globe Race teams are expected to arrive in Auckland before Christmas, except Sterna and Explorer .

Both of the crews are disqualified from the Leg 2 rankings, having returned to South Africa to complete essential repairs; Explorer suffered a damaged furler and lost a genoa, while Sterna was hauled out in Mossel Bay for rudder maintenance.

The teams have faced heavy winds and storms, and still have 5,500nm to sail to reach Auckland, and should arrive at the start of Leg 3 on 14 January 2024.

Sterna’s crew have also had to deal with a broken steering cable in 50 knot south-westerly winds and 5 metre seas. The team continued sailing under bare poles and emergency tiller until the wind and weather eased, where they were able to fit their new Dyneema steering cable.

Positions of the 2023 Ocean Globe Race fleet – Leg 2: Cape Town to Auckland at 1130UTC on 12 December 2023. These positions will change under the IRC rating. Line honours are shown below. 

First to cross the line: Translated 9 (Italy)

Pen Duick VI (France) Spirit of Helsinki (Finland) Maiden (UK) Triana (France) L’Esprit d’Equipe (France) Neptune (France) Evrika (France) Outlaw (Australia) Galiana with Secure (Finland) White Shadow (Spain)

Disqualified from rankings for Leg 2

Explorer (Australia) Sterna (South Africa)

Retired: Godspeed (USA)

Enjoyed reading Ocean Globe Race: Translated 9 takes Leg 2?

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“I can’t see any point in racing around the world for seven months with someone you don’t like.”  – Sir Peter Blake

Lion New Zealand was a Ron Holland designed masthead sloop, which gained the nickname the “Urban Assault Vehicle” when it survived and won the stormy Sydney-Hobart race of 1984. It appeared to be bullet proof and, sadly, it proved to be overly conservative.

By the end of the race, Blake was a household name. Even though Digby Taylor in Outward Bound had gained a better overall result (5th on handicap as opposed to Ceramco’s 11th), it was Blake’s determination to overcome adversity that was the big talking point.

Blake’s initial inclination after his first Whitbread experience had been to say ‘never again’. This was probably partly due to the disappointment of the outcome and partly because of career ambivalence. The way of a professional yachtsman was not clear at that stage and he was by no means certain he could sustain his nomadic way of life.

Similar thoughts attended the end of the Ceramco campaign and he told interviewers at the finish party in Portsmouth he would not do the Whitbread race again. However, even as the party continued long into the night, he an his patron, Sir Tom Clark stood discussing the “what ifs” and “might have beens”. They would probably both have denied it at the time, but, effectively, they were laying the groundwork for the next campaign.

It is not uncommon after any major endeavour for participants, successful or otherwise, to say never again, only later to recant. Blake did it several times. Of his decision to have another go at the Whitbread, he explained: “…when you have lived on an adrenalin high..you forget the discomforts and the misery…Your memory conveniently erases the bad times and calls up only on the good. It’s not… (the) real danger, thousands of miles from the closest land, that you remember. It’s the 300-mile days, the roller-coaster rides through big seas in gale- and even storm-force tailwinds, the excitement of arriving in Auckland, the anticipation of visiting exotic-sounding ports.”

For the fourth attempt, Blake was determined to have a full-on maxi yacht. If raising $NZ600,000 for Ceramco was a big task, the $NZ3 million a maxi campaign required was a whole new level.

Tom Clark set about putting a sponsorship package together with the $NZ2 million that it would require to build the boat. However, this price proved to be beyond the marketing capabilities of most New Zealand companies. Hence, Clark split up the costs with naming right sponsors and the campaign was to be funded by the public.

As with Ceramco, Lion proved her stealth finishing the Sydney-Hobart in first position, sailing through stormy conditions which cost one life and forced the retirement of 106 yachts from the race.

However, when it came to the Round the World Race, Lion’s sturdy design proved to be a downfall when it came to speed. In the first leg Lion finished second behind UBS from Switzerland. Leg 2 saw Lion arrive at a packed Auckland waterfront in fifth position, following a setback when they hit a whale. With an estimated 300,000 spectators, Lion was cheered along the course to move up into third place. The final leg was a game of catch up due to changeable weather and hitting another whale. The breeze picked up to 25knots which suited suited Lion perfectly and although she was unable to catch Drum, Lion completed the 1985 /86 Whitbread Round the World Race in second place.

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Volvo Ocean Race Around the World – Auckland Stopover

This is a historic article from the last Volvo Ocean Race, held in 2017 / 2018. It will be updated when the next race takes place if it passes through Auckland (but they always do) .

Auckland knows how to throw a party, and I could feel the excitement in the air as I approached. The City of Sails is perfectly situated for a stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race Around the World. Auckland has been a host for nearly all of the races since its inception in 1973.

A gruelling test of skill and endurance, the Volvo Ocean Race is the world’s longest and most challenging yacht race, and is often considered the world’s most difficult professional sporting event.

It takes 9-months to sail 45k miles around the world. The last race spread a message of sustainability and clean seas. It was in Auckland on a stopover before starting its most difficult leg, sailing the Southern Ocean to Brazil.

Previously called the Whitbread Round the World Race, it runs every three years. The 2017 installation began in in Spain on 22 October and reached New Zealand after the sixth of its eleven legs to circumnavigate the globe. The most challenging leg was after our temperate island, crossing the Southern Ocean from Auckland New Zealand to Itajai Brazil.

As American expats who have been living in and exploring NZ for over 20 years, we see things from both a local’s perspective and from that of a visitor. Therefore, we understand what it’s like to come here and have things be similar, but not always exactly what we are used to. We share the information on this page from this perspective.

Spreading a message of sustainability and saving our oceans

More than just a challenge, during the last instalment of the race the teams were spreading the United Nation’s message of sustainability and promoting the UN campaign “Clean Seas: Turn the Tide on Plastic”.

Taking this a step further, the UN partnered a yacht skippered by Dee Caffari. She led a young team of 10 sailors, most of whom were under age 30. The team’s guiding mission was to amplify the United Nation’s environmental message throughout the race.

Named “Wisdom”, the Volvo Ocean Race mascot is an albatross (in honour of the world’s oldest wild bird). He helped spread a message of sustainability at each of the 2017 Volvo Ocean Race stopovers.

More images of the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race Auckland stopover

While the fleet was on a stopover in New Zealand, the city created a race village to celebrate.

The stopover weekend featured pro-am races (crew plus invited guests). It served as an opportunity for the teams to sail before heading off on their next leg , from New Zealand to Brazil.

See the fleet from the water

The Volvo Ocean Race Around the World will be returning to Auckland in 2022. During the 2017 race, we found two places to watch the boats. First, from behind the pit lane (the team bases located next to the ANZ Viaduct Event Centre), and later we saw them from Queen’s Wharf while standing next to The Cloud.

However, the best way to see the boats is from out on the water. If you are in Auckland in 2022 and don’t have a boat, here are few fun options for getting out on the water (although you may not see the Volvo boats from all of them):

• Race or sail on a former America’s Cup yacht
• Go on a whale and dolphin watching adventure
• Kayak out to Rangitoto Island and then hike to the top of this Volcano
• Enjoy a sunset dinner cruise

Images from the prior Volvo Ocean Race Auckland stopover

The first time we headed to Auckland to see the Volvo Ocean Race fleet was in 2014. Here are our highlights from that year.

* The current number of sailors allowed on each of the ocean racing boats in the Volvo Ocean Yacht Race can be between 5 and 10, and that number is determined by gender. An all-male crew is a maximum of 5, all-female is a maximum of 7, and if it is 50-50, they can sail with a crew of up to 10 sailors.

More about the Volvo Ocean Race and the Auckland stopover

• You can click here to download a map of the 2017 Auckland race village .
• All teams race a Volvo Ocean 65 . With the boats all built to the same specs, the race is about skill and endurance rather than craftsmanship and technology.
• Former New Zealand winning skippers include Sir Peter Blake on the Steinlager 2 and Graham Dalton on the NZ Endeavour. Mike Sanderson, a third New Zealand skipper, also won, but he was skippering a Dutch yacht.
• The seven teams competing in the 2017-18 race were: AkzoNobel (Netherlands), Dongfeng (China), Mapfre (Spain), Vestas 11th Hour (USA/Denmark), Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag (Hong Kong),   Turn the Tide on Plastic (United Nations), and Brunel (Netherlands).
• The Big Three in world sailing events are the Volvo Ocean Race, along with the Ameria’s Cup challenge and the Olympics.
• The fanfare around it is one of the many festivals in Auckland .

Though the race is long since over, our planet’s health continues to be an issue. Please share the message of sustainability and clean seas by pinning this to Pinterest:

Do you follow each installment of the Volvo Ocean Race?

More from Auckland you might also like … starting with these 75 free and nearly free things to do in the city

Mission Bay Auckland: a New Zealand Getaway only 15 Minutes from CBD

12 Unique Things to Do in South Auckland: Unmissable Fun

Auckland to Wellington Drive Options: Our 16 Favourite Stops

40 Rainy Day Indoor Activities in Auckland New Zealand

For more tips … join Explore New Zealand, the country’s largest NZ travel and photography group on Facebook (free).

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

Indah Nuria

March 22, 2018 at 4:36 am

This is one interesting events to enjoy. I remember seeing similar race in Lac Leman, Geneva. It was cool!

Erin Gustafson

March 22, 2018 at 3:32 am

We do know about the Volvo Ocean Race as my husband works for Vestas and we’ve been following along somewhat from Copenhagen. Unfortunately, the 11th hour boat had a tragic collision outside of Hong Kong, so it hasn’t been perfect for “our team.” I too applaud the sustainable focus and love the attention being drawn to alleviating ocean plastic. Thank you for sharing the Auckland perspective! Would be fun to see the boats up close and personal!

Rhonda Albom

March 22, 2018 at 1:00 pm

How fun to be part of the action in some way. I was sad to read about the tragedy and opted not to include it my write up as I am more focused on the positive message and the amazing endurance of the athletes. I hope you do get to see the boats close up.

March 21, 2018 at 2:53 pm

I have followed the Volvo Ocean Race – what an incredible event! I love that they are supporting the reduction of plastic waste with the “Clean Seas: Turn the Tide on Plastic” campaign. I’ve been to Auckland and seen the America’s Cup yachts – what an iconic sailing destination.

Sandy N Vyjay

March 21, 2018 at 2:28 pm

The Volvo Ocean Race is an epic one. Covering a distance of 45,000 kms. is tremendous. The yachts look so sleek and beautiful. However, it must be indeed a test of endurance for the sailors as they compete in the race. What is heartening is the fact that this is much more than a race. Spreading the message of sustainability and keeping the seas clean is such a laudable effort.

Carol Perehudoff

March 21, 2018 at 4:56 am

What an event! I can’t believe it’s a 9 month commitment. Talk about dedication. It must be such a fun sailing event. I can’t believe I’d never heard of it before. And I do love the sustainable message.

Debra Schroeder

March 21, 2018 at 1:23 am

This sounds like such an exciting event to watch, let alone participate in. I totally love how they’ve adopted a sustainable theme this year. Plastic kills so much sea life it’s incredible. Love the tips on where and how to see the races.

March 21, 2018 at 12:19 am

Excellent that they’re doing so much to encourage sustainability and reduce plastic waste. The only thing I knew about yacht racing before this was from Lost — thanks for the informative post!

March 20, 2018 at 3:46 pm

I’m always so impressed by long-term sailors..9 months is a long time! I could never do it – have a bit of a fear of the deep sea which I don’t like to admit – but kudos to those who have the drive to do it. Especially with those tight quarters! Love the sustainability message being brought to the masses.

March 20, 2018 at 2:18 pm

How great it would be to be part of this race. Just finishing would be a huge achievement. I like that the U.N. is partnering to draw attention to micro-plastics in our oceans.

March 20, 2018 at 6:45 am

What a unique concept for the race! I really appreciate their zeal, enthusiasm and goal. I have never done sailing but this does look interesting. Great pics.

March 19, 2018 at 3:09 pm

I like the idea behind this race because it has a sports component but an awareness and goodwill components too. It is great that they are stopping in several cities spreading a positive message. I can see how this race turns difficult. For what I see, it takes a while to complete.

March 19, 2018 at 2:40 pm

That sounds like a lot of fun and hard work, all at the same time. Very long race. When we lived in Martinique they had a race like this, except it just went around the island. It took 7 days and there were a lot more than 7 boats. I think it took a whole week because of all the parties. It was fun to watch though.

Chris Bloomfield

March 19, 2018 at 5:20 am

A race around the world is awesome! I have never heard of this and am grateful for your article. It is great that they are spreading the message of clean oceans and sustainability. I so want to see this in person, even if it is only one section of the race.

March 19, 2018 at 4:01 am

So cool that they promote sustainability to the large crowds who view this race. It would be a dream come true for me to attend this – just something about ocean racing!

March 19, 2018 at 12:07 pm

Perhaps it is doing a stopover near where you live. There are 11 stops in this year’s race.

Paul F. Pietrangelo

March 19, 2018 at 2:53 am

I loved the all women Team SCA . Cleaning the ocean is very important especially since I enjoy cruising the sea. Big ships are great but I wouldn’t like to cruise the ocean on a small ship. Nope, not for me. See ya Rhonda.

Cruisin Paul

March 19, 2018 at 12:06 pm

I was pretty impressed by an all women’s team also. There isn’t one this time, although the UN boat is skippered by a woman. The numbers on the ship are maximum 5 if all male, maximum 7 if all female, maximum 10 if split 50/50. Plus they are allowed one reporter – another job I would not want.

Harmony, Momma To Go

March 19, 2018 at 1:03 am

Ive been reading a book about a family who sails around the world! What a cool experience, but yeah those sailors are tight on space. This is something I would love to do but maybe on a luxury liner!

March 19, 2018 at 12:04 pm

I am happy to sail locally, but I am a fair weather sailor. I don’t know if I would even be happy on an ocean crossing in a cruise ship.

March 18, 2018 at 7:24 pm

Race against Plastic – good that they are dedicating this sailing race to a race that humanity needs the most. It must be a great event to witness. I had no idea of any such races that can be witnessed by the general public – good to know about that. Have met few sailors who have sailed around the world and they have such interesting stories to tell.

March 19, 2018 at 12:03 pm

I was really impressed that they took this opportunity to do some good with the race.

March 18, 2018 at 4:32 pm

I would love to watch that race. They have a very important advocacy, especially at this time when environmental issues seem to be ignored by politicians. I bet the sailors were welcomed very warmly in NZ!

March 18, 2018 at 4:50 pm

I am pretty sure they all love it here in New Zealand. It’s cooler than some of their other stops, and it’s a really important one, as the next leg is the most difficult. However, my understanding is the biggest party for the boats takes place at the next stop in Brazil, where the event draws more people than the town’s population.

March 18, 2018 at 2:36 pm

So Aukland’s nickname is the “City of Sails”? I didn’t know that. These ocean races are famous all over the world and my husband is in awe when he can catch a glimpse of some of these yachts. I’m glad to hear that UN decided to spread the message of clean seas. We really need to raise awareness about that.

March 18, 2018 at 4:51 pm

Yes, Auckland is the city of sails. Like your hubby, I am in awe of these yachts and of the endurance and perseverance of the sailors.

March 18, 2018 at 10:46 am

It’s fun to see all of the bright colors of each boat! I’m glad to see people are making an effort to address plastic waste. I’m finding more ways to reduce the plastic I use and throw out, so I’m excited to see others are bringing awareness to plastic waste.

March 18, 2018 at 12:09 pm

I agree. I was so happy to see the UN boat with the huge sail reminding us about Clean Seas.

March 17, 2018 at 6:01 pm

I’ve ever heard of the Volvo Ocean Race but it sounds like something amazing to witness firsthand! I’m completely intrigued by this.

March 17, 2018 at 9:34 pm

Did you know it as the Whitbread Races?

Annette @ A French Collection

March 17, 2018 at 1:59 pm

Rhonda what an exciting day! The excitement is palpable through your photos. I’ve done a lot of sailing including ocean racing and yes, the facilities below are very minimal. What a super idea to have a yacht interior model for people to experience for themselves what it’s like. Love your post… Annette

I have done local racing, in the Hauraki Gulf, but I have never done open water sailing or racing. It must be exciting, but I am a bit of a fair weather sailor.

Margherita Ragg

March 22, 2015 at 8:19 am

Your posts are making me want to visit New Zealand more and more. I didn’t know about this race, but I’m getting into sailing so it’s even more interesting for me! Thanks!

March 16, 2015 at 2:22 am

Rhonda, Wow! The race sounds like a lot of fun to watch. I love the huge portraits…very cool!

March 16, 2015 at 8:28 am

Those huge portraits were amazing, and a different color from the other side. Plus each stand had the team information on the side facing the marina.

March 16, 2015 at 1:14 am

Wonderful story, great catch! Beautiful photos!

Paula McInerney

March 15, 2015 at 1:16 pm

Awesome photos and The Volvo Ocean Race looks an amazing opportunity to view.

stevebethere

March 15, 2015 at 10:47 am

Looked like a good day loved all the pics Rhonda especially your face one hahaha!

Have a floatastic Sunday 🙂

Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor

March 15, 2015 at 12:54 am

I LOVE that there is an al-women crew! Ah, looking at your photos is so reminding me of our time in NZ and seeing the Volvo boats previously!

March 14, 2015 at 9:53 pm

I can’t imagine how hard it would be to sail all around the world. I really like that there’s a woman’s team! Thanks for all the great pics and the info to go along with them. Have a lovely weekend! 🙂

March 14, 2015 at 8:04 pm

Hi Rhonda .. this is something my mother would have loved to see … me not so much, but if I could get to NZ and see them easily – then yes! Hurricane Pam is wreaking its havoc … I enjoy keeping track of the races, but certainly don’t follow them – glad you featured the sole woman skipper ..

Enjoy – perhaps having another look around … cheers Hilary

March 14, 2015 at 2:26 pm

Looks like a cool event. Today, I start my vacation. We’re not going anywhere, but I’m thrilled to be off work for a week. Woo hoo!

March 15, 2015 at 3:07 pm

Sometimes the best vacations are in your own town. I have been focusing on Auckland, and really finding so many cool things.

Comedy Plus

March 14, 2015 at 1:34 pm

No, I’ve not followed this race. In fact this is the first I’ve heard about the race. Way cool, but sailing is not my thing. I know it’s yours, but too much work for my old body.

The yachts are gorgeous though.

Have a fabulous day. 🙂

Ocean sailing isn’t my thing either. I am a fair weather sailor. These competitors are really much stronger people than I will ever be.

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First look inside the new four seasons yacht.

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The new Four Seasons yacht will set sail in 2026.

Four Seasons has long set the gold standard for luxury accommodations on land and is renowned for its exquisite hotels that offer unparalleled comfort and service. Now, this legacy of luxury is extending its reach to the seas. In a groundbreaking move, Four Seasons Yachts , in collaboration with Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd and the esteemed Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, is introducing an ambitious venture into luxury sea travel. Scheduled to set sail in 2026, this initiative promises an experience that transcends traditional cruising, offering voyages across the mesmerizing waters of the Caribbean and the historic coasts of the Mediterranean.

Alejandro Reynal, President and CEO of Four Seasons, expressed enthusiasm about bringing the brand's hallmark of guest-centered luxury to the high seas. According to Reynal, this expansion into yachting is a natural extension of Four Seasons' commitment to providing personalized, elegant, and comfortable experiences. The aim is clear: to redefine luxury hospitality, but this time, against the backdrop of the world's most stunning seascapes.

The suites are breathtaking.

The inaugural season of Four Seasons Yachts is poised to offer something truly special. With ten unique voyages planned, travelers will have the opportunity to explore over 130 distinct destinations across more than 30 countries and territories. Each itinerary has been meticulously crafted, allowing guests the flexibility to design their own sea adventure. From the lively atmospheres of Caribbean islands like Saint Barthélemy and Martinique to the cultural richness of Mediterranean gems, including the Greek Isles and Croatia, these voyages promise a blend of well-loved destinations and hidden treasures.

The spacious cabins have incredible views.

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Accommodations aboard the yacht are set to be a marvel in themselves. Ninety-five suites, conceived by the creative minds of Fredrik Johannson at Tillberg Design of Sweden and Creative Director Prosper Assouline, are designed to be sanctuaries of tranquility at sea. Each suite, envisioned with elegant interiors, expansive views, and a residential feel, aims to provide guests with a sense of being at home away from home. Among these, the Funnel and Loft Suites stand out for their sheer luxury and space. They offer unique features such as splash pools, outdoor showers, and breathtaking panoramic views, setting a new benchmark for luxury accommodations on water.

The pool deck features a bar and lounge chairs.

Beyond the exquisite suites, the yacht will feature various amenities designed to cater to every guest's needs. With eleven dining options, a comprehensive spa and wellness center, a state-of-the-art marina, and an innovative pool area capable of hosting events, the yacht ensures a variety of experiences that enrich the journey.

“We’re building a stunning seafaring venture that will be enjoyed as a yacht experience rather than a cruise experience," says Thatcher Brown, chief commercial officer and head of joint operations at luxury shipping specialist Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, the joint owner/operator of the Four Seasons Yachts brand. "The intrinsic value of Four Seasons brand leadership in luxury hospitality combined with the passionate pioneering spirit and expertise of the project team is manifested in the creation of truly special Four Seasons Yachts experiences."

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A List of Major US Bridge Collapses Caused by Ships and Barges

A world shipping association says there were at least 35 major bridge collapses worldwide from 1960 to 2015 due to ship or barge collision with a total of more than 340 killed

Jackie Green

FILE - A car is halted at the edge of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay, Fla., after the freighter Summit Venture struck the bridge during a thunderstorm and tore away a large part of the span, May 9 1980. A container ship struck a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, March 26, 2024, causing it to plunge into the river below. From 1960 to 2015, there have been 35 major bridge collapses worldwide due to ship or barge collision. (AP Photo/Jackie Green, File)

A container ship struck a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to plunge into the river below. From 1960 to 2015, there were 35 major bridge collapses worldwide due to ship or barge collision, with a total of 342 people killed, according to a 2018 report from the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure. Eighteen of those collapses happened in the United States.

A list of notable disasters involving ships or barges hitting bridges in the U.S.:

POPP'S FERRY BRIDGE

March 20, 2009: A vessel pushing eight barges rammed into the Popp's Ferry Bridge in Biloxi, Mississippi , resulting in a 150-foot section of the bridge collapsing into the bay.

INTERSTATE 40 BRIDGE: 14 DEAD

May 26, 2002: A barge hit the Interstate 40 bridge over the Arkansas River at Webbers Falls, Oklahoma , collapsing a 500-foot section of road and plunging vehicles into the water. Fourteen people died and 11 were injured.

Photos You Should See

QUEEN ISABELLA CAUSEWAY: 8 DEAD

Sept. 15, 2001: A tugboat and barge struck the Queen Isabella Causeway in Port Isabel, Texas , causing a midsection of the bridge to tumble 80 feet into the bay below. Eight people died after motorists drove into the hole.

EADS BRIDGE: 50 INJURED

April 14, 1998: The Anne Holly tow traveling through the St. Louis Harbor rammed into the center span of the Eads Bridge. Eight barges broke away. Three of them hit a permanently moored gambling vessel below the bridge. Fifty people suffered minor injuries.

BIG BAYOU CANOT: 47 DEAD

Sept. 22, 1993: Barges being pushed by a towboat in dense fog hit and displaced the Big Bayou Canot railroad bridge near Mobile, Alabama . Minutes later, an Amtrak train with 220 people aboard reached the displaced bridge and derailed, killing 47 people and injuring 103 people.

SEEBER BRIDGE: 1 DEAD

May 28, 1993: The towboat Chris, pushing the empty hopper barge DM3021, hit a support tier of the Judge William Seeber Bridge in New Orleans. Two spans and the two-column bent collapsed onto the barge. Two cars carrying three people fell with the four-lane bridge deck into a canal. One person died and two people were seriously injured.

SUNSHINE SKYWAY BRIDGE: 35 DEAD

May 9, 1980: The 609-foot freighter Summit Venture was navigating through the narrow, winding shipping channel of Florida ’s Tampa Bay when a sudden, blinding squall knocked out the ship’s radar. The ship sheared off a support of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, dropping a 1,400-foot section of concrete roadway during the morning rush hour. Seven vehicles, including a bus with 26 aboard, fell 150 feet into the water. Thirty-five people died.

Copyright 2024 The  Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Banksy, doodles and a boat race: photos of the day – Wednesday

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The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world

Selected by Natasha Rees-Bloor

Wed 27 Mar 2024 14.04 GMT

Photograph: Zac Goodwin/PA

Igatu, Brazil

Photograph: Antonello Veneriantonello Veneri/AFP/Getty Images

Tokyo, Japan

Photograph: Kimimasa Mayama/EPA

Baltimore, US

Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Photograph: Adrees Latif/Reuters

Rafah, Gaza Strip

Photograph: Fatima Shbair/AP

Tel Aviv, Israel

Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images

Kyiv, Ukraine

Photograph: Ukrinform/Rex/Shutterstock

Diyarbakır, Turkey

Photograph: Murat Kula/Anadolu/Getty Images

Nairobi, Kenya

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Dhaka, Bangladesh

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Six presumed dead after cargo ship crash levels Baltimore bridge

BALTIMORE — A major Baltimore bridge collapsed like a house of cards early Tuesday after it was struck by a container ship, sending six people to their deaths in the dark waters below and closing one of the country’s busiest ports.

By Tuesday evening, search-and-rescue efforts for six people who were working on the bridge when it collapsed had transitioned into a recovery mission, Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon N. Gilreath said.

“We do not believe that we’re going to find any of these individuals still alive,” he said, noting the water temperature and the amount of time that had passed since the ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge and caused it to collapse around 1:30 a.m.

Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president of Brawner Builders, earlier said that one person had survived. Their names were not released.

Earlier Tuesday as an extensive search was ongoing, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore held out hope that the missing people might be found and expressed heartbreak after officials suspended the active search for survivors.

"Our heart goes out to the families," he said after the active search was suspended. "I can’t imagine how painful today has been for these families, how painful these hours have been have been for these families."

It was a crushing blow to the loved ones of the missing men, who had waited for hours at a Royal Farms convenience store near the entrance of the bridge for word of their fate. 

Follow live updates here

The tragic chain of events began early Tuesday when the cargo ship Dali notified authorities that it had lost power and issued a mayday moments before the 984-foot vessel slammed into a bridge support at a speed of 8 knots, which is about 9 mph.

Moore declared a state of emergency while rescue crews using sonar detected at least five vehicles in the frigid 50-foot-deep water: three passenger cars, a cement truck and another vehicle of some kind. Authorities do not believe anyone was inside the vehicles.

Investigators quickly concluded that it was an accident and not an act of terrorism.

Ship was involved in another collision

Earlier, two people were rescued from the water, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said. One was in good condition and refused treatment, he said. The other was seriously injured and was being treated in a trauma center.

Moore said other drivers might have been in the water had it not been for those who, upon hearing the mayday, blocked off the bridge and kept other vehicles from crossing.

“These people are heroes,” Moore said. “They saved lives.”

Nearly eight years ago, the Dali was involved in an accident. In July 2016, it struck a quay at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, damaging the quay.

The nautical commission investigated the accident, but the details of the inquiry were not immediately clear Tuesday.

The Dali is operated and managed by Synergy Group. In a statement, the company said that two port pilots were at the helm at the time of Tuesday's crash and that all 22 crew members onboard were accounted for.

The Dali was chartered by the Danish shipping giant Maersk, which said it will have no choice but to send its ships to other nearby ports with the Port of Baltimore closed.

The bridge, which is about a mile and a half long and carries Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River southeast of Baltimore, was "fully up to code," Moore said.

National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said that her agency will lead the investigation and that a data recorder on the ship could provide more information.

"But right now we're focusing on the people, on the families," she said. "The rest can wait."

President Joe Biden vowed to rebuild the bridge and send federal funds.

"This is going to take some time," the president warned. "The people of Baltimore can count on us though to stick with them, at every step of the way, till the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt."

Speaking in Baltimore, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg echoed the president's promise.

"This is no ordinary bridge," he said. "This is one of the cathedrals of American infrastructure."

But Buttigieg warned that replacing the bridge and reopening the port will take time and money and that it could affect supply chains.

The Port of Baltimore, the 11th largest in the U.S., is the busiest port for car imports and exports, handling more than 750,000 vehicles in 2023 alone, according to data from the Maryland Port Administration.

Writer David Simon, a champion of Baltimore who set his TV crime drama "The Wire" on the streets of the city he once covered as a reporter, warned online that the people who will suffer the most are those whose livelihoods depend on the port.

"Thinking first of the people on the bridge," Simon posted on X . "But the mind wanders to a port city strangling. All the people who rely on ships in and out."

Timeline of crash

Dramatic video captured the moment at 1:28 a.m. Tuesday when the Dali struck a support and sent the bridge tumbling into the water. A livestream showed cars and trucks on the bridge just before the strike. The ship did not sink, and its lights remained on.

Investigators said in a timeline that the Dali's lights suddenly shut off four minutes earlier before they came back on and that then, at 1:25 a.m. dark black smoke began billowing from the ship's chimney.

A minute later, at 1:26 a.m., the ship appeared to turn. And in the minutes before it slammed into the support, the lights flickered again.

Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said the workers on the bridge were repairing concrete ducts when the ship crashed into the structure.

At least seven workers were pouring concrete to fix potholes on the roadway on the bridge directly above where the ship hit, said James Krutzfeldt, a foreman.

Earlier, the Coast Guard said it had received a report that a “motor vessel made impact with the bridge” and confirmed it was the Dali, a containership sailing under a Singaporean flag that was heading for Sri Lanka.

Bobby Haines, who lives in Dundalk in Baltimore County, said he felt the impact of the bridge collapse from his house nearby.

"I woke up at 1:30 this morning and my house shook, and I was freaking out," he said. "I thought it was an earthquake, and to find out it was a bridge is really, really scary."

Families of bridge workers wait for updates

Earlier in the day, relatives of the construction crew waited for updates on their loved ones.

Marian Del Carmen Castellon told Telemundo her husband, Miguel Luna, 49, was working on the bridge.

“They only tell us that we have to wait and that they can’t give us information,” she said.

Castellon said she was "devastated, devastated because our heart is broken, because we don’t know how they have been rescued yet. We are just waiting for the news."

Luna's co-worker Jesús Campos said he felt crushed, too.

“It hurts my heart to see what is happening. We are human beings, and they are my folks,” he said.

Campos told The Baltimore Banner that the missing men are from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.

Active search and rescue ends

The Coast Guard said it was suspending the active search-and-rescue effort at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

"Coast Guard’s not going away, none of our partners are going away, but we’re just going to transition into a different phase," Gilreath said at a news conference.

Maryland State Police Superintendent Roland L. Butler, Jr., said it was moving to a recovery operation. Changing conditions have made it dangerous for divers, he said. 

Butler pledged to "do our very best to recover those six missing people," but the conditions are difficult.

"If we look at how challenging it is at a simple motor vehicle crash to extract an individual, I'm sure we can all imagine how much harder it is to do it in inclement weather, when it's cold, under the water, with very limited to no visibility," he said.

"There's a tremendous amount of debris in the water," which can include sharp metal and other hazards, and that could take time, Butler said.

'A long road in front of us'

Built in 1977 and referred to locally as the Key Bridge, the structure was later named after the author of the American national anthem.

The bridge is more than 8,500 feet long, or 1.6 miles. Its main section spans 1,200 feet, and it was one of the longest continuous truss bridges in the world upon its completion, according to the National Steel Bridge Alliance .

About 31,000 vehicles a day use the bridge, which equals 11.3 million vehicles per year, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

The river and the Port of Baltimore are both key to the shipping industry on the East Coast, generating more than $3.3 billion a year and directly employing more than 15,000 people.

Asked what people in Baltimore can expect going forward, the state's transportation secretary said it is too early to tell.

"Obviously we reached out to a number of engineering companies, so obviously we have a long road in front of us," Wiedefeld said.

Julia Jester reported from Baltimore, Patrick Smith from London and Corky Siemaszko from New York City.

Julia Jester is a producer for NBC News based in Washington, D.C.

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

Corky Siemaszko is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital.

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

Baltimore Port: What impact will bridge collapse have on shipping?

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UK firm supports Ukrainian armed forces in drone tech race

In an anonymous warehouse in southern England, engineers at Evolve Dynamics are working on technology that could help keep Ukraine's reconnaissance drones in the sky even after Russia tries to jam them electronically.

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Cape Town, Auckland and Punta del Este confirmed ports for the 2023 Ocean Globe Race

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Latest News: FINALLY NE TRADES TOWARD HOME FOR MCINTYRE OGR

days hrs mins secs

× The start/finish home port and prologue port will be announced soon.

Starting in Southampton in September 2023, the OGR is a 27,000-mile sprint around the globe, spread across four legs, taking in the Southern Ocean and the three Great Capes.

Stopovers will include Cape Town, Auckland and Punta del Este, before finishing back in the UK in April 2024.

To win the OGR challenge is to be first in class or handicap overall winner. In the spirit of adventure, the event will be sailed under International Collision Regulations.

• FIRST LEG: Start 10 September 2023. 7800 miles. First boats finish 9-21 October 2023.
• SECOND LEG: Start 5 November 2023. 7250 miles. First boats finish 14-23 December 2023.
• THIRD LEG: Start 14 January 2024. 6200 miles. First boats finish 9-18 February 2024.
• FOURTH LEG: Start 5 March. 6550 miles. Finish 1-10 April 2024.

Race Start: Ocean Village Marina, Southampton UK

By hosting the start of this retro edition of the historic race at our Ocean Village Marina, we’re hoping to recreate the jubilant atmosphere of the early races, welcoming crowds of supporters, capturing the imagination of visitors and inspiring the next generation of round the world sailors. Tim Mayer, MDL Marinas

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Cape Town, South Africa

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Auckland, New Zealand

It is truly fitting that Auckland would host the race's third stopover in 2023. We look forward to formalising this arrangement in the coming weeks with the Ocean Globe Race organisers. Chris Simpson, Head of Major Events, Tātaki Auckland

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Punta del Este, Uruguay

The Yacht Club Punta del Este is thrilled to welcome the Ocean Globe Race. We look forward to working with OGR's fantastic team and receiving the intrepid sailors whose courage and determination keep the spirit of the Whitbread alive. Juan Etcheverrito, Commodore of Yacht Club Punta del Este

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March 26, 2024 - Baltimore Key Bridge collapses after ship collision

By Helen Regan , Kathleen Magramo , Antoinette Radford, Alisha Ebrahimji , Maureen Chowdhury , Rachel Ramirez , Elise Hammond , Aditi Sangal , Tori B. Powell , Piper Hudspeth Blackburn and Kathleen Magramo , CNN

Our live coverage of the Baltimore bridge collapse has moved here .

Crew member on DALI said everyone on board was safe hours after bridge collapse, official says

From CNN’s Amy Simonson

A crew member on the DALI cargo ship sent a message hours after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed Tuesday saying everybody on board was safe, according to Apostleship of the Sea director Andy Middleton.

Middleton, who spent time with the captain of the DALI Monday, told CNN’s Laura Coates he reached out to a crew member after hearing about the incident Tuesday morning. 

He said there were 22 members aboard the ship from India who were setting sail earlier Tuesday morning and were heading toward Sri Lanka.

“I was able to reach out to a crew member very early this morning around 5:30 (a.m. ET) or 6 (a.m. ET) and get a message to them asking if they were OK,” he said. “That crew member responded within just a few minutes advising that the crew was safe, and everybody that [was] on board was safe.”

Middleton was told by the ship's captain Monday that the vessel was going to take a longer route to avoid risks along the Yemen coast.

“When I was out with the captain yesterday, we were talking while we were driving, and he advised that they were sailing down and around the tip of South Africa in order to avoid the incidents that are going on off the Yemen coast, and it was a safer way to go,” he said.

Middleton said the  Apostleship of the Sea  is a ministry to seafarers with members that spend time in the port and on the vessels as a friendly face to the seafarers that visit the Port of Baltimore, “taking care of their needs to make sure that they're reminded of their God-given human dignity when they're here in Baltimore.”

Search operation ends in "heartbreaking conclusion," Maryland governor says. Here's the latest

From CNN staff

Six people, who were believed to be part of a road construction crew, are presumed dead after Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning. The collapse came after a 984-foot cargo ship hit the bridge's pillar.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told reporters Tuesday evening it's a "really heartbreaking conclusion to a challenging day."

Late Tuesday, it was discovered that two of the construction workers who went missing after the bridge collapsed were from Guatemala , the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said late Tuesday.

Here's what you should know to get up to speed:

• The victims: Eight people were on the bridge  when it fell, according to officials. At least two people were rescued — one was taken to the hospital and was later  discharged , fire official and the medical center said.
• The incident: Video shows the moment the entire bridge structure falls into the water, as the ship hits one of the bridge's pillars. CNN analysis shows that the  ships lights flickered  and it veered off course before it hit the bridge. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the crew on the ship were able to issue a "mayday" before colliding into the bridge, which allowed the authorities to stop incoming traffic from going onto the bridge.
• Response efforts: Earlier, dive teams from various state and local agencies were brought in to assist in search-and-rescue operations, according to Maryland State Police Secretary Col. Roland L. Butler Jr.. The mission started with 50 personnel and continued to grow before the Coast Guard announced Tuesday evening that it was suspending its active search-and-rescue operation and transitioning to a "different phase."
• The investigation: Authorities are still working to establish exactly how the crash occurred. The National Transportation Safety Board will look into  how the bridge was built  and investigate the structure itself. It will "take time to dig through" whether the bridge had ever been  flagged for any safety deficiencies , NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said.
• Rebuilding the bridge: US Sen. Chris Van Hollen said the path to rebuilding the bridge will be "long and expensive." Senior White House adviser Tom Perez told reporters Tuesday “it’s too early” to tell how long it will take to rebuild the bridge. President Joe Biden said Tuesday he wants the federal government to bear the full cost of rebuilding the collapsed bridge, noting that it will not wait for the company who owns the container ship DALI to shoulder the costs. Funding could come from the Federal Highway Administration as well as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, but it may require additional funding from Congress.

2 of the missing construction workers from bridge collapse were from Guatemala, foreign ministry says

From CNN’s Allison Gordon, Flora Charner and Amy Simonson

Two of the construction workers missing from the bridge collapse in Baltimore were from Guatemala, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement late Tuesday.

Those missing included a 26-year-old originally from San Luis, Petén. The other is a 35-year-old from Camotán, Chiquimula, the statement said.

The ministry said both were part of a work team “repairing the asphalt on the bridge at the time of the accident.”

The statement did not name the two people missing, but it said the country’s consul general in Maryland “went to the area where the families of those affected are located,” where he hopes to be able to meet with the brothers of both missing people.

The consulate   also issued a statement Tuesday saying its consul general in Maryland "remains in contact with local authorities," and also confirmed that two of those missing "were of Guatemalan origin.”

Six people, who were believed to be part of a road construction crew, are presumed dead after Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning when a cargo ship hit the bridge's pillar.

State and federal officials have not released information about the identities of any of the six missing workers.

Underwater mapping of bridge collapse area to begin Wednesday, Baltimore fire chief says

From CNN's Jennifer Henderson

Search operations near the Key Bridge collapse have shut down for the night due to dangerous conditions, but the process of underwater mapping with many local, state and federal dive teams will begin Wednesday, Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace told CNN’s Anderson Cooper Tuesday night.

Wallace said the portion of the Patapsco River is “tidal influenced, so it goes through tide cycles just like the open waters of the Chesapeake Bay does.”

The water depths in the area under the bridge vary from 40 feet to more than 60 feet, Wallace said. The deeper the divers go, the colder the temperatures they encounter, and the visibility is zero, he added.

 Wallace said when crews arrived Tuesday morning, the surface water temperatures of the Patapsco River were about 47 degrees with an air temperature of 44-45 degrees.

Here's what you should know about the historic Francis Scott Key Bridge

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday after a massive container ship lost power and crashed into the iconic Baltimore bridge, sending people and vehicles into the frigid Patapsco River.

Six people, believed to be part of a road construction crew, are presumed dead and the Coast Guard has ended its active search and rescue mission.

Here's what you should know about the historic bridge:

• How old?: The Francis Scott Key Bridge, also referred to as just the Key Bridge, opened to traffic in March 1977 and is the final link in the Baltimore Beltway, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA.) It crosses over the 50-foot-deep Patapsco River, where former US attorney Francis Scott Key found inspiration to write the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner, the MDTA says.
• How long?: The bridge was 1.6 miles long when standing, MDTA reports.
• Traffic volume: More than 30,000 people commuted daily on the bridge, according to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
• How much did it cost?: The bridge cost $60.3 million to build, MDTA says. Since its collapse, President Joe Biden said he’s committed to helping rebuild the bridge as soon as possible.
• About the port: Baltimore ranks as the ninth biggest US port for international cargo. It handled a record 52.3 million tons, valued at $80.8 billion, in 2023. According to the Maryland state government, the port supports 15,330 direct jobs and 139,180 jobs in related services.
• About the ship: The bridge collapsed after a container vessel called Dali collided with one of its supports. Dali is operated by Singapore-based Synergy Group but had been chartered to carry cargo by Danish shipping giant Maersk . The ship is about 984 feet long , according to MarineTraffic data. That’s the length of almost three football fields.

Baltimore woman says bridge collapse was "like a piece of family dissolved"

From CNN's Kit Maher

For longtime Baltimore resident, Ceely, who opted not to share her last name, seeing footage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse  Tuesday was deeply personal.

“I was very heavy-hearted,” Ceely told CNN. “Very tearful, thinking about the families whose loved ones may be in the water and just remembering when the bridge was constructed, and it was just like a piece of family dissolved.”

Ceely was at a prayer group Tuesday morning when she saw the news. She recalled being afraid when she first crossed the bridge while in Ford Maverick in 1975, but grew to like it because it saved time on the road.

“It was a main artery just like a blood line. It was a main artery to the other side of town. It was awesome. It beat going through the city all the time,” she said.

Elder Rashad A. Singletary , a senior pastor who led Tuesday night’s vigil at Mt. Olive Baptist Church told CNN that many church members watched the bridge's construction.

"It’s a part of the community. A lot of our individuals in our congregation drive that bridge to go to work, and so now it’s really a life changing moment,” he said.

"Heartbreaking conclusion to a challenging day," Maryland governor says as Coast Guard ended search operation

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

More than 18 hours after the collapse of the Baltimore bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said it was a heartbreaking conclusion after the Coast Guard ended the search-and-rescue operation for the six people who were on the bridge when it collapsed.

It's a "really heartbreaking conclusion to a challenging day," he said.

"We put every single asset possible — air, land and sea" to find the missing people, he told reporters on Tuesday evening. "While even though we're moving on now to a recovery mission, we're still fully committed to making sure that we're going to use every single asset to now bring a sense of closure to the families," the governor added.

6 people presumed dead after Baltimore bridge collapse, Coast Guard says. Here's what we know

As the sun sets in Baltimore, six people are presumed dead after a major bridge collapsed overnight Tuesday, according to the Coast Guard. The Francis Scott Key Bridge came down around 1:30 a.m. ET after a cargo ship collided with it.

The Coast Guard said it has ended its active search-and-rescue operation for the missing construction workers who were on the bridge when it collapsed.

• What we know: Eight people were on the bridge when it fell, according to officials. At least two people were rescued — one was taken to the hospital and has been discharged . The Coast Guard has been searching for six other people. But, around 7:30 p.m. ET, the Coast Guard said it has transitioned to a “different phase” of operation, now it did “not believe we are going to find any of these individuals alive,” Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said.
• About the ship: The bridge collapsed after a container vessel called Dali collided with one of its supports. The vessel is operated by Singapore-based Synergy Group but had been chartered to carry cargo by Danish shipping giant Maersk . The US Embassy in Singapore has been in contact with the country’s Maritime and Port Authority, a State Department spokesperson said.
• The investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the collapse. A team of 24 experts will dig into nautical operations, vessel operations, safety history records, owners, operators, company policy and any safety management systems or programs, said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. A voyage data recorder will be critical to the investigation, she added. 
• Vehicles on the bridge: Officials are also working to verify the numbers of how many cars and people were on the bridge, Homendy said. Gov. Wes Moore said the quick work of authorities in closing the bridge had saved lives . Radio traffic captured how authorities stopped traffic and worked to clear the bridge seconds before the impact . Maryland State Police Secretary Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. said there is a “ distinct possibility ” more vehicles were on the bridge, but authorities have not found any evidence to support that.
• Looking ahead: NTSB will look into how the bridge was built and investigate the structure itself, including if it was flagged for any safety deficiencies , Homendy said. The federal government has also directed its resources to help with search and rescue, to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge, Vice President Kamala Harris said . Earlier, President Joe Biden said t he federal government will pay to fix the bridge.
• The economy: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned the collapse will have a serious impact on supply chains . Until the channel is reopened, ships will likely already be changing course for other East Coast ports. Ocean carriers are already being diverted from the Port of Baltimore, where the bridge collapsed, to the Port of Virginia to “keep trade moving."

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