Lifeboats Rescue Rowers From Thames as Winds Hit London Boat Race

AP ^ | Mar.21, 2004

[nuconvert]

Lifeboats Rescue Rowers From Thames as Winds Hit London Boat Race

Mar 21, 2004

The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) - Rescuers plucked 40 rowers from the River Thames in London on Sunday after boats competing in a race capsized in strong winds. About 145 boats, each with eight rowers and a coxswain, were participating in the race between Putney and Mortlake in west London when some began taking on water amid strong winds, The Royal National Lifeboat Institute said.

At least two people were taken to the hospital, one with hypothermia, lifeboat spokesman Wayne Bellamy said. Others were taken to a nearby rowing club for treatment, police said.

Strong winds have buffeted much of Britain over the weekend, killing at least three people. A soccer fan was killed by flying debris while on his way to a game in Leicester, central England, on Saturday, and a couple in the east of the country died when a tree fell on their car.

[pbear8]

I wish they had given us the numbers, I'd love to know what they clocked the wind to. I'm sure it was scary.

[nuconvert]

Yeah, me too.

[TaMoDee]

Wind at a London weather station on March 21st:

Wind speed: 21.2 mph

Max Wind Speed: 28.8 mph

Max Gust speed: 41.4 mph

With 3 or 4 inches of freeboard the waves probably filled the rowing boats in seconds.

[nuconvert]

Thank You.

[pbear8]

A 30 knot wind is a good stiff breeze. My boat is 57 feet and I would not go out in anything smaller. Thanks for the info.