Bieker 53 Fujin catamaran capsized during RORC Caribbean 600 race. Fortunately, the vessel's crew were not injured.
The capsize occurred on Monday near Saba Island. The eight Fujin crew members were found standing on the overturned hull. Fujin's fellow Gunboat 60 Flow crew members came to the aid of the distressed and stayed close by until rescuers arrived on the scene.
The crew was successfully evacuated from the overturned catamaran. Among the rescued were skipper and owner Greg Slinstast, Olympic champion Jonathan McKee and the designer who designed the Fujin, Paul Bieker.
The Bieker 53 Fujin is in many ways a unique boat. In particular, both noses of this catamaran are bent like «Aladdin's shoe».
The RORC Caribbean 600 around the Caribbean Islands began on 19 February in Antigua. A record 84 boats participated in the start. The fastest of the competitors have already covered 600 miles and crossed the finish line. The Rambler 88 was the first finisher among the monohulls and set a new race record, completing the route in 1 day, 13 hours 41 minutes and 45 seconds. The Rambler 88 finished only 36 minutes later than the Paradox trimaran, the fastest among multihulls.
